Staged Research Model

Allowing data validation and continuous analysis to be undertaken, and to manage the amount of data to be collected, the research was conceptualised into a multi model and staged approach (Fig.28). Five research stages were subsequently developed, then linked together to provide a triangulated view across both the quantitative and qualitative collected data.

3.8.1 Stage 1 - Literature Review

A detailed IEQ literature review was undertaken to understand the research problem and to assess the extent of data required to support the research hypothesis and aim. Also assessed via literature review, were the relevant research methods, data acquisition concepts, data management tools and available technology to simplify the project. A key element of the review was to assess the data to be collected, how to empirically measure and capture the relevant parameters, and how to conduct the project within a live workplace environment. The literature review delivered the following key outputs:

• A clearer understanding of the property industry and its importance to the UK.

• Occupant Health & Well-being as an inclusive current and future concern.

• Available occupancy evaluation tools and their use within this project.

• The extent and inter-connectivity of IEQ factors within the workplace.

• Occupant physiological monitoring as a future innovative building concept.

• IEQ measurement and the lack of effective or sufficient monitoring.

• Potential gaps in knowledge – SME and occupant IEQ expectations

Also resulting from the literature review and based upon the needs of the project, five (5) data collection methods used within the field research were selected.

1. Occupant post occupancy evaluation surveys 2. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) surveys 3. Semi-structured interview questionnaires

4. Workplace environmental monitoring (4 x 1-wk seasonal periods)

5. Occupant physiological performance monitoring (4 x 1-wk seasonal periods)

Focus was applied discretely in each of the above areas in a sequenced approach to manage the large amount of data to be handled.

3.8.2 Stage 2 – Research Design

Comprising of fieldwork and desktop data processing, the research framework provided five (5) discrete work streams for the RE to manage. A sequential data collection method was subsequently developed and adopted to enable a focussed approach to be maintained, particularly across multiple survey techniques and empirical IEQ measurements (Fig.29).

Fig.29 - Sequential Approach to Data Collection

Following the departure of RBS as the original research sponsor, an extensive site

Other sites have been utilised (Table 17) however, only two sites, BSRIA and 5 Plus Architects have been used as full research sites.

1. BSRIA - Old Bracknell Lane West, Bracknell, West Berkshire RG12 7AH 2. 5 Plus Architects - 4^th Floor, The Hive, 47 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1FN

Research Sites Utilised

Table 17 - Research Site - Experimental Research Matrix Develop

3.8.2.1 BSRIA Site Description

BSRIA’s main UK office (Fig.30) is located at Old Bracknell Lane West, Bracknell, West Berkshire RG12 7AH, United Kingdom (Grid Ref - SU8646890), and comprises of various office, workshop, laboratory and warehouse environments. The buildings are circa 1970’s design and have been modernised over the past 45 years to maintain a business focus, however, they have retained the same 1970’s façade with no additional thermal; acoustic or glazing treatment. Floors and ceiling are solid cast concrete with all building services being surface mounted unless forming part of the original construction e.g. lighting circuits or heating pipework.

The building façade is single brick outer construction with internal block and plaster finish with single glazed 45% manually operable windows. All windows are provided with horizontal or vertical blinds, with a total wall to window area of approximately 45%. Blinds are manually controlled, with each window having a different blind open/closed setting ranging between 25-100%. The blind adjustment is dependent upon a number of factors; the façade orientation, the internal desk arrangement, and specific occupier preference. BSRIA has no implemented policy concerning the use of window blinds, however, as a result of our research, they are considering such a policy to improve occupant thermal comfort (cooling) during summer periods, and to improve energy efficiency during winter periods by increasing the use of daylight.

Artificial lighting is provided by soffit mounted 2x36w (T8) fluorescent prismatic luminaires with zonal manual control, however, we noted a number of failed lamps, and lamps with different colour rendering appearance. Day-lighting as noted from interview responses would appear to be the preferred source of lighting within the open plan office area, with only minimal artificial lighting adopted during the latter part of the day. However as noted, blind settings are in conflict with this preference given the adhoc nature to which they have been adjusted. No supplementary task lighting is provided at any desk positions, suggesting lighting levels are adequate or the occupants have become accustom to the environment.

Using circulated pumped hot water provided through traditional gas fired centralised boilers, the office workspace is heated using perimeter radiators mounted below each window openings There is no mechanical forced air-conditioning or ventilation (Supply/Extract) systems within the office areas, ventilation and cooling is provided naturally via the opening windows set individually by the nearest building occupant.

Heating control is achieved using individual thermostatic radiator valves, boiler return

temperature control and external temperature optimisation. Spot “comfort cooling”

was not present in any office area, therefore, during summer periods the workplace relies upon available natural ventilation and cross air-flows between the different building elevations.

A number of portable desk fans are located throughout the open plan office area, suggesting summer temperatures are uncomfortable in some parts of the office layout. The building orientation is 312^o NW a 31^o NE aspect with a 55% wall to window aspect ratio. General circulation areas and a central stair core are located within the West façade elevation, with all office areas extending along the North East elevation. Floor to exposed concrete soffit height is 2.8m and the research area comprises of 21.6m x 8m (Fig.30).

Fig.30 - BSRIA Office Layout – Level 2 Blue Building – Bracknell (UK)

The office workplace comprises of dark blue carpeted floor tiles, light beech effect desktops, cream colour walls and green/blue desktop privacy panels to a height of 1.4m above finish floor level. Significant amounts of ICT equipment are installed at each desk location, including P.C’s, laptops and IP telephony. There is no centralised building management system (BMS) or controls installed. Various large pot plants are distributed throughout the workplace, and walls are plain with no stimulating

Stair Core

Window Elevation Window Elevation

8M

21m

features accept for whiteboards and message boards. Desks are positioned in rows at right angles to the NE façade and configured into four square cellular arrangements as noted within Fig.30.

The space is designed for occupancy of 20 full time employees (FTE) on an adhoc basis due to work requirements, however, a measured weekly average occupancy level of 10FTE was recorded during our 5-day assessment periods. This equates to a designed occupancy density ratio (dodr) of 1FTE per 7m² or an actual weekly average density of 1FTE per 12.6m².

21.6𝑚 𝑥 8𝑚

20 = 1_𝐹𝑇𝐸: 8.4𝑚²… … … … 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑝𝑛𝑎𝑐𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1

21.6𝑚 𝑥 6𝑚

10 = 1_𝐹𝑇𝐸: 17.3𝑚²… … … … 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2

The area is configured as follows:

Total floor area: 21.60mx 8.00m = 172.80m²

Total Volume: 21.60mx 8.00m x 2.80m = 483.80m³

When seated each occupant “physically” occupies (including desk/pedestal space) 3.40m², which includes a proportion of unusable space due to desk layout and filing requirements.