Interactive Design to Encourage Energy Efficiency in Offices: Developing and Testing a User-Centered Building Management System Based on a Living Lab Approach

Carolin Baedeker, Julius Piwowar, Philipp Themann, Viktor Grinewitschus, Benjamin Krisemendt, Katja Lepper, Christina Zimmer and Justus von Geibler
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Carolin Baedeker: Research Unit Innovation Labs, Division Sustainable Production and Consumption, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Julius Piwowar: Research Unit Innovation Labs, Division Sustainable Production and Consumption, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Philipp Themann: Research Unit Innovation Labs, Division Sustainable Production and Consumption, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Viktor Grinewitschus: EBZ Business School—University of Applied Sciences, 44795 Bochum, Germany
Benjamin Krisemendt: EBZ Business School—University of Applied Sciences, 44795 Bochum, Germany
Katja Lepper: EBZ Business School—University of Applied Sciences, 44795 Bochum, Germany
Christina Zimmer: Twistid GmbH & Co. KG, 40545 Düsseldorf, Germany
Justus von Geibler: Research Unit Innovation Labs, Division Sustainable Production and Consumption, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-29

Abstract: Many technical solutions have been developed to enhance the energy efficiency in buildings. However, the actual effectiveness and sustainability of these solutions often do not correspond to expectations because of the missing perspective of design, user’s real needs, and unconsidered negative side effects of their use (rebounds). With the aim to help address these challenges, this paper presents results of a longitudinal living lab study and proposes a user-centered building management system (UC-BMS) as a prototype for office buildings. Based on mixed methods, UC-BMS was co-developed, tested, and evaluated in Germany in up to six office buildings, 85 offices, and within two heating periods. The results demonstrate that such user-oriented approach can save up to 20% of energy while maintaining or even improving comfort and work productivity. The findings show three main areas of intervention and elements of UC-BMS: (1) How interactive design and feedback systems (e.g., air quality) can stimulate ventilation practices and energy efficiency in offices and (2) supporting heating system optimization e.g., by better understanding office behavior. (3) Finally, an office comfort survey was conducted to enable communication between facility management and office users and thus limiting complaints and adapting the heating system towards actual office user needs.

Keywords: interactive design; energy efficiency; feedback systems; smart office; sustainable living labs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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