38 BUILD June/July 2009 P ost-occupancy evaluation is the architectural process of systematically documenting how buildings support and frustrate people. The evaluations highlight what works for the broad range of stakeholders after buildings are occupied. The findings are used to fine-tune buildings, adjust the ways people use them and improve the next generation of buildings. Evaluations are also used in briefings for refurbishment projects. Each evaluation involves walkthrough inter- views with people who have an interest in the building. They include occupants, customers, designers, builders or maintenance people. Location preferences Each evaluation interview starts at the building’s entrance, where access and relationship to features around the site are discussed. Buildings sited within an easy walk of public transport, shops and amenities are consistently praised. Those near railway stations and bus interchanges are particularly highly regarded. Conversely, remote sites are a long-term problem for staff, their customers and other users. Design for subliminal wayfinding Ideally, people should be able to ‘read’ buildings without being distracted from their conversations and thoughts. Well-designed wayfinding is particularly important in buildings that regularly accommodate people who are nervous, stressed or traumatised, or first-time visitors (such as tourism venues and hospitals). Architectural cues should be used as the primary means to guide people around buildings. As many cues as possible should be used, for example: locate destinations in logical positions ❚ make destinations visible from approach ❚ paths design so occupants can subconsciously ❚ ‘read’ buildings orientate people with sightlines to landmarks ❚ use sensory cues (light, sound, smell, ❚ character and/or feel). Where signs are necessary, it is helpful if they are oriented perpendicular to the line of sight and use language that will be understood. Visitors are critical of signs that are encrypted with inhouse jargon. Make stairways obvious Occupants often complain about waiting for lifts, maintenance problems and service delays. Many buildings evaluated over the last 25 years contain hidden stairs that are designed to be less convenient or attractive than the lifts. However, stairs are preferred by many able- bodied people when moving 1–3 floors. Stairs should be obvious, attractive, convenient, easy to use and light. Particularly successful stairs have been found to offer casual meeting places, which help informal office communication. Opening windows are appreciated Occupants generally rate air quality as one of the three worst aspects of mechanically ventilated buildings. They report illness, discomfort and productivity losses from drowsiness and absenteeism, which they had not found in their previous naturally ventilated buildings. Complaints usually include coughs, colds and discomfort from hot/cold, drafts, stuffiness and/or rapidly changing temperatures. Some- times problems with HVAC machine noise are also reported. Light switches and sensors User-friendly switching helps staff remain focused on work, particularly when they are starting a meeting or presentation. Switch arrangements that fail basic (user-friendly) principles of universal design can be baffling. Simple on-off switches are preferred, with dials where dimming is needed. Repeated inconvenience has resulted from sensor switches that: fail to switch on until people reach the centre ❚ of (dark) spaces black out workspaces after short periods of ❚ inactivity black out occupied spaces. ❚ DESIGNING USER-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS A building’s design is determined by many regulatory, financial and operational drivers, but once completed how does it work for its users? Here are some key lessons from recurring successes and failures found in commerical and public buildings. By Chris Watson, Architect, www.PostOccupancyEvaluation.com COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Occupants preferred simple on-off light switches, with dial dimmers if needed. Drains on wet areas need to be at the low point of the floor. The ball is showing this drain isn’t at the low point of the floor.