ABSTRACT
When considering building resiliency under increasingly more extreme, and less predictable climatic conditions, it is essential to consider the role of the building occupant in building operation and managing their indoor environment. This chapter introduces the twin concepts of the ‘operational range’ and ‘behavioural potential’ of buildings to help designers, property managers and code officials evaluate how much agency occupants are likely to have in managing comfort conditions inside of buildings. Discussion, examples and a conceptual framework are provided to encourage more rigorous evaluation of operable building systems, and especially their user interfaces. A ‘building interface designer’, who could coordinate across operable systems, and advocate for more intuitive systems and occupant self-management, is presented as one idea to help increase this aspect of building resiliency. A list of seven goals for resilient building controls and interfaces is discussed, leading to a key question for resiliency: ‘Under extreme or emergency conditions, is the building designed in such a way that building occupants retain the competence and information needed to maintain functionality and comfort?’
