Post Occupancy Evaluation of Sustainable Development Projects in the Education Sector Leanne McMillan, Senior Consultant, BRE Scotland

Presentation Overview Strategic Drivers for POE POE – Why? What? How? POE Methodology Case Studies Summary and recommendations

POE Strategic Drivers in Education Sector Environmental Outputs Core Strategic Drivers Space Utilisation Community Economic Social Responsibility Material Choices Whole Life Cost Renewable Technologies Reduction CO 2 Value for Money?

POE – Why? What? How? Identify any areas of improvement in terms of project delivery and performance with focus on the potential for increased efficiencies Provide lessons that can be used to improve design of future projects Highlight any gaps in communication and understanding between the designers, users and building managers that will impact on the building in operation Produce benchmarking data to compare across projects and to demonstrate progress and continuous improvement over time

POE Methodology Operational Review – months post project handover –Post project review of design and procurement stage –Initial feedback from occupants on building performance Functional Performance Review months post project handover –Sustainability Audit of Functions –Design Quality Matrix Architecture Environmental Engineering User Comfort WLC Detail Design User Satisfaction –Occupant Consultation Strategic Review – 3-5 years post project handover –Has building met original business case drivers – i.e. has Value for Money been derived? –Feedback for future projects

Sustainable Design Drivers in Education Key business drivers for many Further and Higher Education establishments include: –The desire to enhance the learning experience –The provision of fit-for-purpose teaching spaces –Improved learning facilities –Ultimately achieving a low energy, high performing building The quality of any building design not only greatly determines the impact that the building will have on the environment throughout its lifetime, it also has a significant impact on the occupants: –Overall health and wellbeing –Performance –Productivity of the building occupants

Optimising the learning environment –An improvement in learning ability through increased natural daylighting Daylighting factors of 4% - 6% can result in an improvement in learning ability of between 14 and 23% –An improvement in occupant health and wellbeing through efficient and effective lighting strategies A healthier internal environment and 20-40% reduction in operational costs as a result of intelligent lighting systems –An improvement in occupant performance (as a result of thermal comfort modelling) For every degree over 27oC, there can be a 10% reduction in occupant performance –An improvement on health and wellbeing due to the reduction of VOCs Exposure to high VOC emissions can negatively impact on the health of occupants, particularly those with respiratory problems –An improvement in occupant response due to an increase in natural ventilation Poor air quality levels of 2,700ppm CO2 can result in up to a 14% reduction in cognitive function Sustainable Design Drivers in Education

Case Study 1- Project overview Project Informed client driving forward an ambitious brief, focussing strongly on sustainable design Heating strategy Wood pellet biomass boiler feeding underfloor heating system and wall mounted radiators Ventilation strategy Natural, wind driven, passive stack Lighting High frequency, efficient lighting and increased levels of natural daylight Material choices Low embodied energy ETFE roof, higher than required thermal insulation, low VOC finishing and fixtures Additional sustainable design features BREEAM Excellent Rainwater Harvesting Photo-Voltaic Cells and Solar Thermal Air Source Heat Pumps

Case Study 1 - Performance Internal environment Air quality: all areas <1000ppm Lighting: lux throughout, several thousand under ETFE Temperature: Generally between 19 and 21oC Occupant satisfaction Extremely positive occupant feedback Users consulted and engaged throughout design stage All users receive building induction Occupant ownership Strong community buy-in Flexible learning spaces and provision of social space Operational performance EPC ‘A’ rating, low carbon building Reduced heating and hot water costs Achieving significantly reduced water consumption levels for WCs Maintenance strategies as forecast

Case Study 1 – Summary of performance

Case Study 2 – Project overview Project Client not informed or driven by the concept of sustainable design, though user comfort and quality of finishing were a priority Heating strategy Comfort heating and cooling system installed to all teaching spaces, gas-fired boiler feeding wall mounted radiators in communal spaces Ventilation strategy Comfort cooling systems and openable external windows on one wall of all teaching spaces Lighting High frequency, efficient lighting in most areas Adequate levels of natural daylight Material choices Some recycled flooring, fixed external solar shading, durable materials for high use areas Additional sustainable design features Sustainable design features were not a focal point for this development at the concept and design stages

Case Study 2 - Performance Internal environment Air quality: all areas <1000ppm, though relative humidity readings suggested some areas could appear slightly unpleasant Lighting: lux throughout, artificial light slightly over specified Temperature: Generally between 22 and 26oC Occupant satisfaction Positive occupant feedback Strong community buy-in Multiple systems and services in one room can be confusing for user Desire to focus more on sustainability Operational performance EPC ‘D’ rating Energy costs slightly greater than expected due to design decisions rather than system choices Maintenance slightly higher than forecast for building services, though fabric and finishing's are performing well Indicative BREEAM ‘Pass’ rating

Case Study 2 – Summary of performance

Case Study 3 – Project overview Project Sustainable design was the main driver for this project, though the client was not best informed Heating strategy Solar thermal panels and a low NOx, efficient gas- fired boiler is feeding an underfloor heating system and the suspended radiant panels in workshops Ventilation strategy All classroom spaces are naturally ventilated through the provision of openable, external windows Workshop areas are mechanically ventilated, though also benefit from openable windows Lighting High frequency, efficient lighting in all areas Local control, sensor control and zoning is minimal Adequate levels of natural daylight Material choice Responsibly sourced timber used extensively, low VOC finishing in some areas, recycled flooring in some parts Additional sustainable design features BREEAM Excellent Rainwater harvesting Sedum roof Permeable paving BEMS

Case Study 3 - Performance Internal environment Air quality: most areas <1000ppm, though relative humidity readings suggested some areas could appear slightly unpleasant Lighting: lux in construction areas and lux in the teaching spaces Temperature: Generally between 17 and 20oC Occupant satisfaction Mixed occupant feedback Building is challenging to manage Occupant control over internal environments could be improved Space and layout could be improved Noise and temperature can be areas of concern Building services infiltrate learning spaces Operational performance Maintenance significantly higher than forecast for building services and fabric Quality of finishing could have been improved Indicative BREEAM ‘Good’ rating

Case Study 3 – Summary of performance

Summary of Results – Operational review Key lessons learned: Setting the brief Project management and support Procurement Consultation Informed client Life Cycle Costing

Summary of Results –Functional Performance Review Key lessons learned: Building User Guide Commissioning of systems Building Energy Management Systems Access and maintenance

Summary of Results – Strategic review Key lessons learned: Space – adaptability and flexibility Planned maintenance programmes Realising operational efficiencies

Recommendations Implementing a sustainable framework Consultation Room Data Sheets Commissioning Responsibilities Modelling and Testing Access and Maintenance Building User Guide BEMS Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Controls Operational Efficiencies Visit Similar Projects

Thank you Leanne McMillan, Senior Consultant, BRE Scotland