Assessing the energy performance and occupant satisfaction of foyer spaces

Post-Occupancy Evaluation is a strategy which can make the design process more research orientated. The aim of this research is to identify the challenges of conducting POE, particularly regarding the accurate reporting of sustainable construction practice and energy in use in performance venues - an understudied building type characterised by complex environmental requirements, including unpredictable occupancy patterns and transitional spaces required to manage large volumes of people. This paper examines a medium sized Concert Hall Foyer in the south west of England as a case study in order to identify lessons about the POE process. Many barriers have been identified to routinely implementing feedback action from POE, such as a lack of policy and of ownership, and also concerns about liability for any problems identified.