Applying contextual understanding in mixed mode design: a usercentred study of thermal comfort and adaptive control

In achieving low-energy operation, occupant-controlled mixed mode buildings rely as much on the judicious use of active climate control by occupants as they do on the efficiency of the building services. The extent to which occupants choose to use natural ventilation for creating a thermally comfortable environment is informed in part by the human heat balance, and by the availability and effectiveness of adaptive comfort devices, but is also a function of social, cultural, and local context. Qualitative study is suited to exploring these factors in more detail. The paper presents a case study using qualitative interviews, focusing on an occupant-controlled mixed-mode office building in the warm humid climate zone of Australia. Occupant attitudes which tend to entrench the use of natural ventilation or, conversely, active climate control, are identified, and these are used to create guidelines for encouraging the judicious use of energy by occupants.