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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolin Baedeker & Julius Piwowar & Philipp Themann & Viktor Grinewitschus & Benjamin Krisemendt & Katja Lepper & Christina Zimmer & Justus von Geibler, 2020. "Interactive Design to Encourage Energy Efficiency in Offices: Developing and Testing a User-Centered Building Management System Based on a Living Lab Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-29, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:6956-:d:404556
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Margherita Pillan & Fiammetta Costa & Valentina Caiola, 2023. "How Could People and Communities Contribute to the Energy Transition? Conceptual Maps to Inform, Orient, and Inspire Design Actions and Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-31, October.
    2. Shirley Kempeneer & Michaël Peeters & Tine Compernolle, 2021. "Bringing the User Back in the Building: An Analysis of ESG in Real Estate and a Behavioral Framework to Guide Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Christian Pfeiffer & Markus Puchegger & Claudia Maier & Ina V. Tomaschitz & Thomas P. Kremsner & Lukas Gnam, 2020. "A Case Study of Socially-Accepted Potentials for the Use of End User Flexibility by Home Energy Management Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Tang Tang & Jun Zhang, 2025. "Design for Behavioural Change, Health, Wellbeing, and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-4, May.

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