Post-Occupancy
Building occupants and operators play a key role in determining whether or not a building is sustainable. Their day-to-day choices significantly impact energy use, water use, purchasing, and waste management practices.
But you don’t have to wait until the building is occupied to influence occupants. Forward-thinking design is at the heart of effective occupant engagement. Here we look at social science research as well as more anecdotal case studies, and we share what actually works and why.
Post-Occupancy
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Know Thy Client: 9 Un-Green Strategies for Delivering Better Buildings
Feature
Making all your projects high-performance means getting in touch with what your client really wants and checking “green building” at the door.
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Why Post-Occupancy Review Is the Future of Design (And How It Can Serve You Now)
Feature
A radical new paradigm is on the way for engaging with projects after they’re “completed”—and clients couldn’t be happier.
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Design Strategies for Occupant Engagement—and Why They Boost Performance
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Researchers reveal simple ways to empower occupants to reduce energy, water, and waste. It all starts with good design.
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Mouth, Meet Money: Case Studies of Outcome-Based Design
Feature
Performance-based incentives are a growing (and positive) trend. They’re not as risky as they sound, but there are some steps you should be taking to prepare.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Ethnography: A Creative Tool for Human-Centered Design
Explainer
Social science research methods can generate innovative and sophisticated design solutions that respond to human needs and cultural values.
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Product as a Service: Buying the Lumen, Not the Lightbulb
Explainer
Proponents of the circular economy point to PaaS as one of the strongest tools we have to take control of our energy and material waste.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Solar Helps Power a Campus While Engaging Students
News Analysis
Hampshire College expect its new solar arrays will save the college nearly $500,000 a year and educate the next generation of students in the process.
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EPA Region 8 Building Fares Well under Performance-Based Contract
News Brief
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"Green Lease Leaders" Program to Recognize Brokers
News Brief
Firms and brokers that offer leases meeting sustainability criteria will be recognized in an effort to get tenants and landlords collaborating to save energy.
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Attention, Employers: Green Design Tied to Fewer Sick Days
News Brief
Increased worker health and productivity offers a strong financial incentive for employers to adopt green design features, according to a recent report.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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