February 16, 2009—BRE (Building Research Establishment) Scotland has successfully secured a project to undertake Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of nine new educational facilities for the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
The driver behind the project is the SFC’s need to demonstrate “value for money” on its capital expenditure, ensuring that the buildings they support are not only designed and procured in line with estates funding guidance, but work to the benefit of the occupants—in this case students and staff.
Post Occupancy Evaluation is a recognized way of providing this feedback by evaluating the performance of a new build or major refurbishment project throughout its lifecycle, from initial concept through to occupation, notes BRE. POE can also highlight any “teething troubles” with a new building, which are often a result of gaps in communication or understanding between the designers and the building occupants.
BRE will conduct a review of the operational, functional, and strategic performance of the college buildings during occupation. The results will inform the SFC’s future projects and processes, and lessons can be shared throughout the sector.
