Short answer

Designers must actively solicit and integrate inhabitant feedback *before* occupation, focusing not just on environmental performance but also on psychological comfort, control, and the social vision of the space.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: cIRcle (University of British Columbia) (2015)
Method: Qualitative research, including surveys and interviews.
Evidence: Strong effect

Understanding inhabitants' past workplace experiences and their desires for a new environment is crucial for successfully implementing regenerative design goals. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in cIRcle (University of British Columbia). Using Qualitative research, including surveys and interviews., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must actively solicit and integrate inhabitant feedback *before* occupation, focusing not just on environmental performance but also on psychological comfort, control, and the social vision of the space.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Pre-occupancy feedback significantly shapes inhabitant expectations for regenerative workplaces.

Understanding inhabitants' past workplace experiences and their desires for a new environment is crucial for successfully implementing regenerative design goals.

cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · 2015

Key Findings

01Inhabitants expressed dissatisfaction with elements of their previous workplaces, often linked to a perceived lack of control over discomfort.
02Positive associations with the new regenerative workplace included the physical building, social aspirations, novelty, vision, and a desire for connectedness.
03Inhabitants' desires for the new space extended beyond past experiences, requiring new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Before finalizing designs for new buildings or renovations, conduct detailed surveys and interviews with future occupants to understand their past experiences, pain points, and aspirations for the new environment.

Project actions

01When researching user needs, don't just ask about features; ask about feelings and past frustrations.
02Consider how your design can give users a sense of control over their environment.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can pre-occupancy evaluations inform the design and implementation of regenerative workplaces to enhance inhabitant well-being and engagement?

MethodQualitative research, including surveys and interviews.

ProcedureInhabitants were surveyed about their satisfaction and control over their previous workplaces, and interviewed about their expectations, desires, and associations with the new regenerative workplace (CIRS).

ContextWorkplace design, regenerative buildings, occupant well-being.

Variables

IVPre-occupancy feedback (satisfaction with previous workplace, perceived control, expectations for new workplace).

DVInhabitant satisfaction, engagement, and realization of regenerative goals.

CVType of workplace (CIRS), goals of regenerative place.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Focuses on the crucial pre-occupancy phase of design.
+Highlights the psychological and emotional aspects of occupant experience.

Limitations

It can be difficult to accurately predict future needs based solely on past experiences, as user expectations can evolve.

Reliability & validity

The qualitative nature of the research provides rich insights but may have limitations in generalizability. Triangulation of data from surveys and interviews enhances validity.

Think critically

To what extent can past negative experiences with control in workplaces hinder the adoption of new, potentially more empowering, control systems in regenerative environments?

Design Principles

"Proactive inhabitant engagement is essential for realizing the full potential of regenerative design."

By proactively gathering feedback before a new space is occupied, design teams can identify potential areas of discontent and align the built environment with user needs and aspirations. This approach moves beyond mere functional requirements to foster psychological and physiological well-being, a key aspect of regenerative design.

What This Means for Your Design

Before you build a new office, ask people what they liked and didn't like about their old one, and what they hope for in the new one. This helps make sure the new place actually makes people happy and comfortable.

How to use in your project

1.Use findings from this research to justify the importance of your user research phase, especially when exploring user needs for a new product or system.
2.Reference this study when discussing how past user experiences can influence future adoption and satisfaction.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that understanding inhabitant feedback processes, particularly through pre-occupancy evaluations, is critical for the successful implementation of regenerative design goals. By exploring past workplace experiences and future desires, designers can identify potential sources of discontent and align the built environment with occupant well-being and engagement, moving beyond functional requirements to foster a truly regenerative space.

Source

cIRcle (University of British Columbia)

CIRS pre-occupancy evaluation : inhabitant feedback processes and possibilities for a regenerative place

journal · 2015

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about pre-occupancy feedback significantly shapes inhabitant expectations for regenerative workplaces?: Designers must actively solicit and integrate inhabitant feedback *before* occupation, focusing not just on environmental performance but also on psychological comfort, control, and the social vision of the space. Evidence: cIRcle (University of British Columbia) (2015).
Why does "Pre-occupancy feedback significantly shapes inhabitant expectations for regenerative workplaces." matter for design?: By proactively gathering feedback before a new space is occupied, design teams can identify potential areas of discontent and align the built environment with user needs and aspirations. This approach moves beyond mere functional requirements to foster psychological and physiological well-being, a key aspect of regenerative design.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers must actively solicit and integrate inhabitant feedback *before* occupation, focusing not just on environmental performance but also on psychological comfort, control, and the social vision of the space.
What were the main findings?: Inhabitants expressed dissatisfaction with elements of their previous workplaces, often linked to a perceived lack of control over discomfort.. Positive associations with the new regenerative workplace included the physical building, social aspirations, novelty, vision, and a desire for connectedness.. Inhabitants' desires for the new space extended beyond past experiences, requiring new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research, including surveys and interviews..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from cIRcle (University of British Columbia).
What should I do differently in my next project?: Before finalizing designs for new buildings or renovations, conduct detailed surveys and interviews with future occupants to understand their past experiences, pain points, and aspirations for the new environment.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific type of workplace and may not be generalizable to all contexts. The long-term impact of pre-occupancy feedback was not directly measured.