Housing Fit For Purpose: Performance, Feedback and Learning

Housing Fit for Purpose sets out a research-focused approach to looking at the challenges facing the built environment in approaching the design, construction and management of housing. This book uses original research by the author on housing performance evaluation and distilsit for built environment professionals, arguing that learning from feedback shouldbe taking place at every stage of the housing project lifecycle, improving outcomes for end users. Drawing on active research, this book shows why and how the design, construction and management of housing can be linked to feedback and actual evidence of how people choose, and learn, to use their homes.  It examines the key concepts which underlie participatory design, occupancy feedback and learning, and includes a practical primer on how to undertake housing occupancy feedback.

REVIEWS

The strength of this book is shown in its title ‘performance, feedback and learning’. Where architectural practice often does not allow for post-reflection on projects, Stevenson offers effective guidance for examining building performance evaluation from multiple perspectives. This book elegantly lays out the processes to better understand and reach goals addressing climate change. Professor Alison Kwok, Professor, Director of Technical Teaching Certificate, Director, NetZED Case Study Laboratory, University of Oregon

Finally, a comprehensive source that diligently covers the 'what, why and how' of housing performance evaluations and feedback. A joy to read and accessibly written and peppered with examples, illustrations and references. A must read for all actors in housing design. This book will make a positive difference to housing design quality and associated social and environmental impacts if all involved, both in the UK and elsewhere, embrace this knowledge with urgency. Dr Sofie Pelsmakers, Assistant Professor Sustainable Housing Design at Tampere University and author of The Environmental Design Pocketbook

To get feedback on the performance of buildings is crucial, not only for the environment, but also for the future of built environment professionals who are having difficulty in demonstrating the value of what they do. Fionn Stevenson has long been a passionate advocate of housing performance evaluation and I can think of no one better to write this book.Professor Flora Samuel, Professor of Architecture in the Built Environment, Reading University

The days of building new homes without understanding how they perform are behind us. Drawing on Fionn’s extensive experience, this comprehensive book sets out the context for monitoring and evaluating buildings. A must-read for anyone carrying out building performance evaluation – experienced or otherwise!  Clare Murray, Head of Sustainability, Levitt Bernstein

At last, we have a rich and comprehensive study on learning from real-world outcomes in housing projects.  Without this holistic understanding, progress on reducing the environmental impact of the built environment will never be achieved without high risk of unacceptable negative consequences for occupants and missed targets – and Fionn’s book and primer equips us with an essential plan of action. Lynne Sullivan RIBA, Chair of Good Homes Alliance

This excellent and accessible book will reassure clients of the value of Building Performance Evaluation, while helping architects transform their practice through learning how the homes they design actually work. Dr Elanor Warwick, Head of Strategic Policy and Research, Clarion Housing Group

 Fionn Stevenson has always been at the forefront of sustainable environmental design. Her timely book not only presents very clearly the case for Building Performance Evaluation, but also provides an invaluable guide to meeting the new RIBA professional obligations which will come into effect in 2020.Peter Clegg, Senior Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios