TY - JOUR
T1 - Substantiation of home occupant archetypes with the use of generative techniques
T2 - analysis and results of focus groups
AU - Ortiz, Marco A.
AU - Kim, Dong Hyun
AU - Bluyssen, Philomena M.
PY - 2020/4/6
Y1 - 2020/4/6
N2 - A previous study clustered home occupants into archetypes with a questionnaire. This study uses qualitative methods to strengthen those previously-found archetypes with data pertaining to the participants’ home experiences. Focus groups were carried out where generative activities were conducted involving the generation of collages. The first activity dealt with the expression of ‘meaning of energy use at home’ and the second one with the ‘ideal home experience’. Analyses were done with content and thematic analysis. Codes were drawn from the data and were assimilated through an affinity diagram. The diagram produced two categories: building themes and human themes, along with five sub-categories (home, financial, energy, psychological, and behavioural aspects). The outcome shows that each archetype expresses needs and meanings of an ideal home experience and energy use differently from each other. The results provide evidence that generative techniques can be used in energy research. In this case, to validate and substantiate the quantitative archetypes previously produced with a questionnaire. Interpretive knowledge in energy research allows for a better understanding of occupants’ differing behavioural patterns in regards to energy use and comfort. It allows customizing interventions to the archetypes’ specific needs to decrease energy consumption while maintaining comfort.
AB - A previous study clustered home occupants into archetypes with a questionnaire. This study uses qualitative methods to strengthen those previously-found archetypes with data pertaining to the participants’ home experiences. Focus groups were carried out where generative activities were conducted involving the generation of collages. The first activity dealt with the expression of ‘meaning of energy use at home’ and the second one with the ‘ideal home experience’. Analyses were done with content and thematic analysis. Codes were drawn from the data and were assimilated through an affinity diagram. The diagram produced two categories: building themes and human themes, along with five sub-categories (home, financial, energy, psychological, and behavioural aspects). The outcome shows that each archetype expresses needs and meanings of an ideal home experience and energy use differently from each other. The results provide evidence that generative techniques can be used in energy research. In this case, to validate and substantiate the quantitative archetypes previously produced with a questionnaire. Interpretive knowledge in energy research allows for a better understanding of occupants’ differing behavioural patterns in regards to energy use and comfort. It allows customizing interventions to the archetypes’ specific needs to decrease energy consumption while maintaining comfort.
KW - Energy saving
KW - environment and behaviour
KW - human behaviour
KW - occupant comfort
KW - user experience design
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85082965050&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/17508975.2020.1747381
DO - 10.1080/17508975.2020.1747381
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85082965050
SN - 1750-8975
VL - 14
SP - 239
EP - 257
JO - Intelligent Buildings International
JF - Intelligent Buildings International
IS - 2
ER -