A conceptual framework: Bringing insights of social practice theory to post occupancy evaluation of office buildings

Abstract

The insights that Social Practice Theory can bring to the challenges of behaviour change in the 'Post Occupancy Evaluation' (POE) of sustainable office buildings are reviewed. The UK Government has committed to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. With buildings acknowledged as a major contributor to carbon emissions, there is an increased urgency to ensure building performance is in line with design targets. Occupant behaviour is an essential factor in understanding and reducing the performance gap. Behaviour change models, such as Azjen's Theory of Planned Behaviour, provide a lens through which occupant behaviour can be analysed in sustainable office buildings. The prevalence of economic and psychological models of behaviour change in this field is considered, and socially orientated approaches to behaviour change are reviewed. This study presents a conceptual framework for the analysis of social practices within sustainable office buildings and a role for this framework in POE. © 2013 WIT Press.