scholarly journals Green building for office interiors: challenges and opportunities

Facilities ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 614-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonghua Gou
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine the concept and practice of green building for office interiors: whether the green intent can be effectively implemented in an interior retrofitting project. Design/methodology/approach Reviewing green building rating systems for interiors, examining certified interior projects and interviewing occupants working in certified green offices. Findings The green building credits for interiors fall into three relational layers: the urban context, the host building and interior fit-outs. Most projects under study performed well on credits for interior fit-outs (e.g. low emitting materials, energy efficient equipment and appliances, etc.), while underperformed on credits for its host building (e.g. air-conditioning systems, ventilation, etc.). The latter might more significantly affect working experience. The other important green aspects, such as daylight availability, facilities accessibility, might be subject to its location and urban context. Research limitations/implications This article presents a multi-examination of green interiors. The data came from second-hand Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scorecards and qualitative interviews. More quantitative surveys are expected to be conducted. Practical implications Green interior retrofitting should go beyond selecting environmental-friendly finishes and furniture or resource-efficient fixtures and appliances. It should proactively start from assessing the environmental performance of the host building and its urban context. Originality/value Most research looked at green building as a whole. Green interiors are actually more practical for tenants who intend to reduce their corporate environmental impacts, whereas they do not have control over whole building design and operations. This article highlights the importance of green interior retrofitting and provides guidance.

The application and barriers of BIM in sustainable building design

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olufolahan Oduyemi ◽  
Michael Iheoma Okoroh ◽  
Oluwaseun Samuel Fajana
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and rank the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using Building Information Modelling (BIM) in sustainable building design. It also employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the benefits and barriers of using BIM through a literature review. Regression and factor analysis were used to rank these benefits and barriers. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 120 practitioners with 69 completing the survey. Finally, the paper employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM-compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North riverside. Findings The key findings of the statistical analysis indicated that professionals ranked the integrated project delivery as the most established benefit, while the lack of interoperability was ranked the greatest technological challenge. Only three of the attributes of non-technological challenges made statistically unique contributions, namely, training costs and software costs, client demand and potential legal issues. It was also discovered that BIM delivers information needed for environmental performance. In a forward-looking approach, the paper attempts to provide some recommendations that would encourage the continuous application of BIM in sustainable building design. Research limitations/implications This paper does not cover all features of BIM functionality, as the scope of BIM is very enormous and the resources of this research were limited. Practical implications The implication of the study is that it will assist in exploring and ranking the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using BIM while proffering recommendations for future use. This research will be of interest to industry practitioners and academic researchers with an interest in building information modelling. Originality/value This paper contributes with new outlooks aimed at syndicating sustainability with environmental performance and adds to the limited empirical studies on the benefits and barriers of the application of BIM.

A taxonomy for Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA)

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-205
Author(s):  
Barbara X. Rodriguez ◽  
Kathrina Simonen ◽  
Monica Huang ◽  
Catherine De Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Building Life Cycle ◽  
Global Carbon ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Goal And Scope

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of common parameters in existing tools that provide guidance to carry out Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA) and proposes a new taxonomy, a catalogue of parameters, for the definition of the goal and scope (G&S) in WBLCA. Design/methodology/approach A content analysis approach is used to identify, code and analyze parameters in existing WBLCA tools. Finally, a catalogue of parameters is organized into a new taxonomy. Findings In total, 650 distinct parameter names related to the definition of G&S from 16 WBLCAs tools available in North America, Europe and Australia are identified. Building on the analysis of existing taxonomies, a new taxonomy of 54 parameters is proposed in order to describe the G&S of WBLCA. Research limitations/implications The analysis of parameters in WBLCA tools does not include Green Building Rating Systems and is only limited to tools available in English. Practical implications This research is crucial in life cycle assessment (LCA) method harmonization and to serve as a stepping stone to the identification and categorization of parameters that could contribute to WBLCA comparison necessary to meet current global carbon goals. Social implications The proposed taxonomy enables architecture, engineering and construction practitioners to contribute to current WBLCA practice. Originality/value A study of common parameters in existing tools contributes to identifying the type of data that is required to describe buildings and contribute to build a standardized framework for LCA reporting, which would facilitate consistency across future studies and can serve as a checklist for practitioners when conducting the G&S stage of WBLCA.

Developers’ willingness to invest in green features in Abuja, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Oluwole Oyewole ◽  
Adeola Adisa Ojutalayo ◽  
Funmilayo Moyinola Araloyin
Keyword(s):  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Property Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Air Intake ◽  
Capital Intensive ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the degree of willingness of property developers to invest in green features in Abuja, the federal capital city of Nigeria, to determine the level of their preparedness for green building development. Design/methodology/approach Data were elicited from the property managers of the various property development companies through self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with the use of frequency distribution, percentages and measures of developers’ willingness to invest index. Findings The study showed that the developers’ level of willingness to invest in green features is above average with the value of willingness indices on most features rising above 2.5 on a five-point scale. Features that are less capital intensive such as “Location of air intake that are far from source of pollution” (RWI = 4.14) and “Building design that utilize natural and cross ventilation” (RWI = 4.12) attracted higher developers’ level of willingness than features such as “Mechanical ventilation of enclosed parking area” (RWI = 2.15) and “Design for energy efficient deconstruction and recycling” (RWI = 1.84) that are more capital intensive. In addition, the index of willingness (relative willingness index of developers) on features that are associated with occupants’ comfort is higher than the index of willingness on features that confer more of environmental benefits. Practical implications The study concludes by advocating that parliamentary arms of all tiers of government should formulate environmental policies and laws that will entrench sustainable practices in the building industry in the country. Originality/value This is one of the few studies on the willingness of major stakeholders to invest in green features, particularly in the Nigerian context.

Analysis of the current state of green buildings in the Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atanes Papoyan ◽  
Changhong Zhan ◽  
Guanghao Li ◽  
Xueying Han
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Green Buildings ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Russian Federation

PurposeThe concept of green buildings (GBs) in contemporary building design has risen in popularity with the rapid economic development resulting from globalization. The primary objective of this research is to provide an impetus to improve the methods of green technology adaptation, taking the Russian Federation as an example.Design/methodology/approachGlobally, the first green building rating systems were implemented in the 1990s. The Russian Federation had launched its national green building rating systems apart from the international green building rating systems that were implemented in the country.FindingsBased on qualitative analysis, a common approach in the Russian market for certifying green construction was identified. The collected information can be considered evidence of market entry and aid in preparation for possible market shocks.Originality/valueFurthermore, the study determined seven significant rating measures that were generally applied by various green building rating systems, and the most influential rating measure was “energy,” followed by “site,” “indoor environment,” “land and outdoor environment,” “material,” “water” and “innovation.” Additionally, this study determined the primary research endeavors of the analyses of contemporary green building rating systems and presented the scope for future research.

Knowledge management for library building design

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 2-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhixian Yi
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Innovative Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – In the digital age, constant changes in libraries inform contemporary building design. An innovative library building design is a complicated process and can be viewed as a continuous process of the use of tacit and explicit knowledge and innovative tools and approaches. Knowledge management (KM) can bring about the much needed innovation, and transform tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge. For the design of a library to be successful, it is necessary to apply KM to library building design. The purpose of this paper is to look at key change impacts, to explore how to manage knowledge in building design and to identify key design principles. Design/methodology/approach – This paper looks at key change impacts, explores how to manage knowledge in library building design and pinpoints design principles. Findings – This paper finds that KM can be vital to library building design, and it can be used in all stages: to examine the internal and external environments, transform tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge by using portals, and analyze existing and future issues and trends. When effectively used, KM will result in innovative design strategies and also will reduce the time and costs of the building design and plan processes. The main principles of library building design are flexibility, accessibility, safety and security, applicability, adaptability, efficiency, and sustainability. Practical implications – This paper provides a useful overview of how to manage knowledge in library building design and design principles. Originality/value – The views, discussions, and suggestions will be of value to improve the effectiveness of library building design.

Model for promoting green certification of buildings in developing nations: a case study of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ebekozien ◽  
Matthew Ikuabe ◽  
Andrew Igiebor Awo-Osagie ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Contributory Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Benin City ◽  
Green Practices ◽  
Green Certification ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Policy Solutions

PurposeSeveral studies have shown that climate change is a threat to sustainable human living and high consumption of energy by buildings is a contributory factor. However, green practices in buildings have been proved as one of the successful technologies to mitigate global warming. Previous studies have shown lax green practices in developing countries’ buildings, but how far concerning green certification of buildings in Nigeria is yet to be explored. Therefore, this paper investigated the barriers to green certification of buildings (GCB). Also, the paper proposed a model for promoting GCB in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachEighteen experts with green building certification knowledge were engaged across three of Nigeria’s cities (Benin City, Abuja and Lagos) via scheduled WhatsApp video and teams calls. Collated interview data were analysed and presented in themes.FindingsFindings show that there is an absence of a framework to promote GCB in Nigeria. Hence, GCB is low across the states. Twelve main sub-themes emerged as the barriers to GCB in Nigeria. Also, eight key sub-themes emerged as the possible concepts that can be used to improve GCB in Nigeria and formulated into a proposed framework to promote GCB in Nigeria.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to GCB in Nigeria and only 18 participants were engaged. Thus, this paper suggests that a mixed-methods approach should be conducted in future studies with wider coverage. This may assist to validate the paper’s findings.Practical implicationsFindings from this paper will stir up practitioners in green building and influence the promotion of GCB in the sector. As part of this study’s implications, suggestions through the paper’s proposed framework will benefit Nigeria’s policymakers to make decisions towards achieving GCB. This can be achieved via the proposed framework to promote the concept across Nigeria.Originality/valueThis paper is probably the first that attempted to investigate the barriers and proffer policy solutions via a framework to promote GCB in Nigeria and by extension in other developing countries.

Does commitment to environmental self-regulation matter? An empirical examination from China

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 932-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Lin ◽  
Saixing Zeng ◽  
Hanyang Ma ◽  
Hongquan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Political Connections ◽  
Corporate Environmental Performance ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Commitment ◽  
Manufacturing Sectors ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms by which symbolic commitment to self-regulation influences corporate environmental performance through the adoption of substantive actions. Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample of Chinese listed private firms in manufacturing sectors, this paper empirically investigates whether and how corporate symbolic commitment to environmental self-regulation really improves the consequences of corporate activities with respect to environmental issues under the current Chinese context. A moderated mediation analysis is employed to test the hypotheses and examine the relationships proposed in the research framework. Findings – The authors argue that making a commitment to environmental self-regulation could motivate firms to implement effective means of being green. The intriguing and robust results show that firms with higher ranking environmental commitment are more likely to use political connections to obtain resources (green subsidies), and then improve environmental performance. Practical implications – The results of this study provide a snapshot of the mechanism between symbolic promises and real outcomes. Originality/value – The authors theorize about and test both direct and indirect effects of commitment to self-regulation on real outcomes which provide empirical evidence for the incipient but growing understanding of self-regulation.

Energy consultants calculating sustainability for residential buildings

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 825-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Andre Søraa ◽  
Håkon Fyhn ◽  
Jøran Solli
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the role of a particular energy calculator in enhancing the energy efficiency of existing homes by asking how this calculator was developed and how it is domesticated by craftspeople working as energy consultants.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on qualitative interviews with users and producers of the energy calculator (n= 22), as well as participation in energy consultation training.FindingsThe paper finds that, in the energy calculator, there is a striking lack of connection between the domestication and script because of lack of energy consultants’ involvement in the design and implementation process.Practical implicationsThe enrolment of energy consultants as energy calculator users earlier in and throughout the design process could be valuable in making the transition to an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building sector.Social implicationsThe paper argues for recognition of the role of energy consultants, especially craftspeople, as participants in the design process for tools of governance. This is a call to acknowledge the value of particular skills and experiences possessed by craftspeople doing home consultation.Originality/valueBy understanding the intricate developer–user synchronicity in tools developed for upgrading the building sector, energy mitigation can be made more effective.

World trends and the state of Portuguese tourism – round table on opportunities for businesses development

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 670-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Costa ◽  
Silva Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Round Table ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Current State ◽  
Tourism Sector ◽  
Tourism Experience ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to identify the current state of the Portuguese tourism, its opportunities and challenges based on the conclusions of the International Tourism Forum (ITF)/Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) Round Table attended by representatives of the main public and private entities of the tourism sector in Portugal. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents and discusses the main conclusions resulting from the ITF/WHATT Round Table. The event was organized by the Institute for Tourism Planning and Development, under the theme “Tourism in 2016: from trends to results”. Findings The ITF/WHATT Round Table concluded that the tourism industry worldwide and in Portugal, in particular, is facing major challenges that call for innovative ways of managing the tourism experience. On the other hand, world tourism growth was seen as a reality that will remain, and destinations will have to continue working to achieve better tourists instead of getting more tourists. Practical implications This analysis provides knowledge about the current state of the Portuguese tourism, its challenges and opportunities while identifying innovative ways and likely solutions to improve the experience of tourists visiting Portugal. Originality/value The profiling of the current state of the Portuguese tourism, its opportunities and challenges contributes to the design of more effective strategies to improve the Portuguese tourist offer and the experience of tourists visiting Portugal.

scholarly journals Qualitative research interviews using online video technology – challenges and opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charl de Villiers ◽  
Muhammad Bilal Farooq ◽  
Matteo Molinari
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Video Technology ◽  
Contextual Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Research Interviews

Purpose This study aims to examine the methodological and method-related challenges and opportunities arising from the use of video interviews in qualitative accounting research, focussed on collecting contextual data and visual cues, enriching communication quality and building and maintaining rapport with interviewees. Design/methodology/approach Prior literature and the authors’ experiences using video technologies for research, including conducting interviews, inform this research. This study uses a transactional conceptual refinement of information richness theory and channel expansion theory to critically analyse the challenges and opportunities of using video technology to conduct qualitative research interviews. Findings The ability, need for and significance of collecting contextual data depend on the researchers’ ontological and epistemological assumptions, and are, therefore, influenced by their research design choices. Video technology enables researchers to view research settings by video. In addition, whilst group/panel interviews have their advantages, it is often difficult to get everyone together in person, something video technology can potentially overcome. The feasibility and the quality of video interviews can be improved if both interview participants are experienced with using video technology, as well as with judicious investment in good quality video technology and through testing and practice. We also discuss how rapport building with interviewees can be facilitated by overcoming the video’s sense of disconnect and enhancing interviewees’ willingness to engage. Originality/value The study builds on the limited prior literature and considers the challenges and opportunities related to methodology and method when conducting video-based qualitative interviews in accounting research. Broadly, qualitative researchers will find the paper useful in considering the use of video interviews and in making research design choices appropriate for video interviews.

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