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A. Mahdavi, H. Teufl, C. Berger:
"An Occupant-Centric Theory of Building Control Systems and Their User Interfaces";
ENERGIES, 14 (2021), 4788.

(no german Kurzfassung)
This paper presents an occupant-centric theory of buildings´ indoor-environmental control
systems and their user interfaces. Buildings typically can have multiple devices and systems to maintain indoor-environmental conditions within certain ranges in order to meet occupants´ health and
comfort requirements. Therefore, it is important to understand what those ranges are exactly, who
defines them, and for whom. Health and comfort sciences offer some broad directions concerning
desirable indoor conditions. These are typically formulated in various codes, standards, and guidelines in terms of target values or the set points of control variables. However, preferable conditions
may differ at different times and for different individuals. Another question concerns the agency
responsible for maintaining the preferred conditions. In some settings, conditions may be centrally
controlled via the buildings´ automation systems, whereas in other settings, occupants might have
the possibility to control their immediate surroundings. Given these qualifications, the objective of
the present inquiry can be stated more precisely. We outline a human-ecologically inspired theory
pertaining to the occupants´ perception of and interaction with a building´s indoor-environmental
control systems and their user interfaces. Specifically, we explore the operationalization potential of
the proposed theory as a compact assessment protocol for the evaluation of buildings´ responsiveness
to occupants´ preferences. Initial experiences with the derivative protocol are promising. Nonetheless,
in order to be fully applicable in practice, certain challenges must be addressed. These specifically include the need for more robust procedures toward the translation of occupants´ subjective judgments
into quantitative evaluation scales.

This paper presents an occupant-centric theory of buildings´ indoor-environmental control
systems and their user interfaces. Buildings typically can have multiple devices and systems to maintain indoor-environmental conditions within certain ranges in order to meet occupants´ health and
comfort requirements. Therefore, it is important to understand what those ranges are exactly, who
defines them, and for whom. Health and comfort sciences offer some broad directions concerning
desirable indoor conditions. These are typically formulated in various codes, standards, and guidelines in terms of target values or the set points of control variables. However, preferable conditions
may differ at different times and for different individuals. Another question concerns the agency
responsible for maintaining the preferred conditions. In some settings, conditions may be centrally
controlled via the buildings´ automation systems, whereas in other settings, occupants might have
the possibility to control their immediate surroundings. Given these qualifications, the objective of
the present inquiry can be stated more precisely. We outline a human-ecologically inspired theory
pertaining to the occupants´ perception of and interaction with a building´s indoor-environmental
control systems and their user interfaces. Specifically, we explore the operationalization potential of
the proposed theory as a compact assessment protocol for the evaluation of buildings´ responsiveness
to occupants´ preferences. Initial experiences with the derivative protocol are promising. Nonetheless,
in order to be fully applicable in practice, certain challenges must be addressed. These specifically include the need for more robust procedures toward the translation of occupants´ subjective judgments
into quantitative evaluation scales.

: indoor environment; building interfaces; ecological valency

http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en14164788

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/16/4788