Post-Occupancy evaluation of office buildings' indoor environmental quality from the perspectives of architects and non-architects (case study: Iran)

Considering the importance of sustainable development to the modern world, user perspective should be included in the process of designing sustainable buildings. Therefore, with emphasis on occupants' perspectives and the gap in examining the difference between the views of architects and non-architects on user satisfaction, this paper aims to demarcate the points of convergence and divergence of architects and non-architects in terms of user satisfaction factor. In addition, IEQ in Iranian office buildings was investigated. A quantitative method was used and an adequate number of questionnaires were filled out by Iranian employees with respect to a comprehensive case study. The results showed that the perspectives of architects and non-architects converged on user satisfaction. Conversely, from architects' points of view, energy and water efficiency for buildings was of higher significance than other elements. Furthermore, structural stability of the building, ventilation system, controlling the water and energy use of buildings, thermal comfort, building's age, green yard and landscape, restroom, and noise levels were recognized as effective parameters as well. The noteworthy finding of this study is that non-architects care about an environmentally friendly design more than architects in both genders. In this respect, including the divergence and convergence points of both architects and non-architects in the designing process could ensure a better design. This research can provide a novel insight into architects' views of the primary design platform in office buildings which can fill the existing research gap.