Building Knowledge: Pathways to Post Occupancy Evaluation
2018
This report for the RIBA highlights how POE improves building performance, wellbeing, and sustainability.
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Project resources
Building Knowledge Report
Evaluation is a vital step in creating buildings that meet people’s needs, promote wellbeing, and minimise environmental impact. We worked with RIBA, the University of Reading, and Professor Flora Samuel to produce Building Knowledge: Pathways to Post Occupancy Evaluation — a report demonstrating how Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) can provide evidence of the social, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of architecture.
The report forms part of RIBA’s wider agenda to embed continuous learning and improvement in design practice. By showing that POE can be simple, practical, and collaborative, it encourages architects to reflect on their buildings in use and evidence the value of their work.
Our Approach
The methodology included:
A national call for evidence from architects, clients, and researchers;
Interviews and discussions with practices that regularly undertake POE;
Case studies showcasing innovative approaches to understanding building performance; and
Synthesis of POE research methods, tools, and outcomes to support replication in practice.
Case studies
The report includes a diverse set of case studies demonstrating the value of POE across building types and design approaches:
Maggie’s Nottingham, CZWG – Academic-led innovation in POE methodologies highlights the importance of expressing findings quantitatively, qualitatively, and monetarily, lending credibility to research outcomes.
Morelands, London, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris – Pre- and post-refurbishment POE captures improvements in environmental performance, occupant satisfaction, and productivity.
New Art Exchange, Nottingham, Hawkins\Brown – POE as a collaborative tool supports community arts centre management and flexible design for evolving uses.
Lordship Eco-Hub, London, Anne Thorne Architects – Participatory POE demonstrates the impact of user involvement on sustainable community facilities.
Foundry Studios, London, Cullinan Studio – POE on the practice’s own office enables first-hand learning and comparison across multiple projects.
Hospice designs, JDDK Architects – POE across multiple projects helps consolidate best practice and informs clients about the benefits of evidence-based design.
Cheshire Oaks, Marks & Spencer, Aukett Swanke – POE provides commercial clients with evidence of sustainability, cost savings, and improved user experience.
Wilkinson Primary School, Wolverhampton, Architype – Longitudinal POE across school projects demonstrates environmental and social performance improvements.
Sustainable Investment Policy, URBED – Integrating POE into investment planning ensures long-term positive impact on people and the environment.
Key Findings
The research demonstrates that:
POE improves understanding of buildings’ social, environmental, and economic performance;
Collaborative approaches and participatory research enhance learning for design teams and stakeholders;
Expressing POE findings in multiple formats (qualitative, quantitative, monetary) strengthens their credibility and impact;
Embedding POE into practice culture and education fosters continuous improvement and innovation;
Architects can use POE to evidence the value of their work, influence clients, and strengthen organisational reputation.
Impacts
Building Knowledge: Pathways to Post Occupancy Evaluation has helped shape RIBA guidance and support for POE. The report provides practical tools, resources, and case studies that enable architects to integrate evaluation into everyday practice, ensuring buildings perform well for people, the planet, and the profession.
“A lot of effort goes in to researching the client’s needs and desire at the planning stage, but for us post-occupancy evaluation would provide the opportunity to reflect onthe whole process, celebrate successes and learn from any aspects that were less than successful. A rounded research project would not be complete without an assessment of the results of the ‘experiment’ of constructing a new building. Common sense would suggest that for a substantial project of this nature, an evaluation of what was achieved or not achieved and the reasons why would be expected by our membership and should form part of our annual report.”
Professor Tim Helliwell, Client for the Royal College of Pathologists
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