Based on experiences of carrying out building-performance studies in non-domestic buildings in the United Kingdom and around the world, the question is addressed of how these might apply in the emerging area of housing evaluation studies. Principles are offered covering both non-domestic and domestic buildings. The research area and approach are defined, and types of feedback and their effectiveness are explored, along with the sorts of methods that should be used and some wider topics including duty of care and some of the implications of 'real-world' research. Key lessons from fieldwork are presented.Keywords: building evaluation, building performance, energy assessment, feedback, occupant surveys, post-occupancy evaluation, real-world research Sur la base de l'expérience acquise en réalisant des études sur les performances des bâ timents dans des bâ timents non résidentiels au Royaume-Uni et à travers le monde, la question est abordée de savoir comment celle-ci pourrait s'appliquer au secteur émergent des études d'évaluation des logements. Des principes sont proposés, couvrant à la fois les bâ timents résidentiels et non résidentiels. Le domaine de recherche et l'approche sont définis, et les types de feedback comme leur efficacité sont examinés, ainsi que les types de méthodes qui devraient être utilisés, mais aussi certains thèmes plus larges, incluant le devoir de diligence et certaines des implications découlant des recherches en «situation réelle». Les principaux enseignements de ces travaux de terrain sont présentés.

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An occupancy feedback strategy is proposed that takes account of the 'interactive adaptivity' that occurs between occupants and their physical home. This relationship is examined for how it affects building performance and resource use. Existing feedback methods are evaluated and several new variants introduced. Design assumptions about the usability of control interfaces were explored in relation to actual occupant behaviour. The evaluation of a single-prototype 'zero-carbon' house built as a demonstration and test site with periodic occupancy indicates the significance of understanding occupant behaviour at the design stage and communicating operational issues to occupants at the handover stage. Methods used cover fabric performance, initial information and training given to occupants, energy and water use, window-opening activity, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, functionality, and occupant behaviour. Each contributing method is discussed in terms of its findings, effectiveness, and relationship with other methods in the research design. Lessons are presented for the evaluation of prototype housing in relation to 'interactive adaptivity' and include the identification of critical control interfaces and an assessment of their usability. Improved housing performance will benefit from a comprehensive strategy embracing user expectations, perceptions, and interactions with building interfaces, alongside physical monitoring.Il est proposé une stratégie axée sur le feedback des occupants, prenant en compte «l'adaptabilité interactive» qui intervient entre les occupants et leur logement physique. Cette relation est examinée quant à la manière dont elle affecte les performances de l'immeuble et l'utilisation des ressources. Les méthodes de feedback existantes sont évaluées et plusieurs variantes nouvelles sont introduites. Les hypothèses d'étude concernant l'utilisabilité des interfaces de commande ont été examinées par rapport au comportement réel des occupants. L'évaluation d'un prototype unique de maison «zéro carbone» construite à titre de maison témoin et de site d'essai, avec une occupation périodique, montre qu'il est important de comprendre le comportement des occupants au stade de la conception et de communiquer avec les occupants sur les problèmes d'ordre pratique au stade de la remise du logement. Les méthodes utilisées couvrent les performances des tissus, l'information initiale et la formation données aux occupants, l'utilisation de l'énergie et de l'eau, les habitudes d'ouverture des fenêtres, le confort thermique, la qualité de l'air intérieur, les fonctionnalités et le comportement des occupants. Chaque méthode mise à contribution est discutée sous l'angle des résultats constatés, de son efficacité et de sa relation avec les autres méthodes du plan d'étude. Les enseignements retirés sont présentés pour permettre d'évaluer ce prototype de logement par rapport à «l'adaptabilité interactive» et incluent l'identification des interfaces de commande critiques et une évaluation de leur utilisabilité. L'am...

This paper examines multiple learning cycles across a UK housebuilder organization following changes made to their Quality Management routine at the organizational level, through to subsequent understanding and enactment at the level of the individuals involved. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative case study methodology based on an analysis of six-weeks of participant observation, semi-structured ethnographic interviews, and documentation within three of the organization's regional offices. Through an abductive process, it draws on gathered data and extant literature to develop a multi-level learning model. Findings Four levels of learning cycles are observed within the model: Individual, Team (within which Inter-Organizational relationships nest), Region and Organization. Three interrelated factors are identified as influencing feed-forward and feedback across the levels; time, communication, and trust. The impact of these levels and factors on the process of learning is conceptualized through the metaphor of coupling and decoupling, and discussed using examples from housing development projects. Originality/value Whilst previous models of organizational learning highlight important multi-level interaction effects, they do not explore how the different levels of learning synchronize over time for learning to move between them. This paper addresses this gap, by shedding important light on how layers of learning synchronize, and why and when this can occur within multi-level organizations. 1. INTRODUCTION Learning is a key part of organizational life, linked to performance, success and survival (Casey, 2005; Argote & Miron-Spektor, 2011). As technology advances, the quantity and frequency of transmitted information increases, with workforces expected to do more in less time (Berends & Antonacopoulou, 2014). Learning to evolve in the face of such changes becomes a key requirement for organizations, as this process is played out across layers of the organization's hierarchy. This paper examines these multiple learning cycles within a UK volume housebuilder, following revisions to their Quality Management (QM) routine. These latter revisions attempted to introduce a more stringent inspection regime, streamlining the house building production process, and in so doing, reduce uncertainty and increase uniformity of product (Heras-Saizarbitoria & Boiral, 2013).

The overheating risk in apartments retrofitted to energy efficient standards has been identified by previous studies as one that is particularly high. With climate change and rising mean temperatures this is a growing concern. There is a need to understand the kinds of practices,