In the quest for sustainable buildings, a new study is challenging conventional wisdom about what truly matters to occupants. Rosa Francesca De Masi, a researcher from the University of Sannio in Italy, has introduced a multi-domain approach to evaluate the global quality of nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs), with a particular focus on the Mediterranean climate. Her work, published in the journal *Energy and Built Environment* (translated as *Energy and Built Environment*), offers valuable insights for the construction and energy sectors, emphasizing the importance of occupant satisfaction in shaping future developments.
De Masi’s research addresses a critical gap in the building sector: the need to balance environmental and energy efficiency goals with the human dimension of building operation. “The operative phase of the building covers the longest time in its whole life cycle,” De Masi explains. “Thus, it is important to evaluate the global quality after the construction, taking into consideration the occupants’ perspective.”
The study introduces a novel method based on five criteria, encompassing both indoor comfort and energy aspects. What sets this approach apart is its weighing procedure, which considers the relative importance of these criteria based on the feedback from a sample of occupants. This method allows for a more nuanced understanding of what truly matters to the people living and working in these buildings.
One of the most striking findings is that occupants are more sensitive to indoor air quality and thermo-hygrometric aspects than to renewable energy integration or building energy consumption. This insight could have significant implications for the energy sector, as it suggests that investments in improving indoor environmental quality may yield higher returns in terms of occupant satisfaction and, ultimately, market success.
The study also highlights the size and one-vote veto effects of individual factor satisfaction on overall quality. In other words, even if a building performs well in most areas, a poor performance in a single critical aspect can significantly impact the overall perceived quality. This finding underscores the importance of a holistic approach to building design and operation.
The maximum score reached for the analyzed nearly zero energy building was 8.4 out of 10, but there was a remarkable variation depending on the weight attributed to each criterion. This variability underscores the need for a flexible, occupant-centered approach to building evaluation and design.
De Masi’s research is poised to shape future developments in the field by emphasizing the importance of occupant satisfaction in the design and operation of sustainable buildings. As the building sector continues to grapple with the challenges of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, this study offers a valuable reminder that the human dimension should not be overlooked.
For the energy sector, the implications are clear: investments in indoor environmental quality can pay dividends in terms of occupant satisfaction and market success. As buildings become increasingly energy-efficient, the focus must shift towards ensuring that these buildings are also comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable places to live and work. De Masi’s research provides a valuable roadmap for achieving this goal, offering insights that will be of interest to builders, architects, energy providers, and policymakers alike.