PERFORMANCE OF MASS ENGINEERED TIMBER BUILDINGS IN THEIR POST OCCUPANCY STAGE

Abstract

The alarming rise in sea levels and temperatures due to global warming has cast a red alert across nations, galvanizing governments worldwide into a unified response to address the impacts of climate change. The global quest to combat climate change before its implications reaches to the point of calamity has impelled the heightened pursuit for sustainability efforts. The built environment, being a major contributor to the climate crisis, has seen a rise in the progressive development of sustainable construction methods and material alternatives. The advent of Mass Engineered Timber (MET) as a structural material presents potential for significant breakthroughs in the built industry, recognized for its capabilities to overcome a host of persistent challenges within the Built environment. The ability of MET to sequester carbon, combined with its compatibility with Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) technology, positions it as a promising alternative to traditional construction materials, paving the way for a built environment that is both more sustainable and efficient. An extensive body of research has also indicated that the biophilic properties of MET could enhance overall human health and wellbeing. However, limited studies available on the performance of MET buildings during its post occupancy stages as well as the long-term benefits of biophilia on occupant health and well-being presents gaps in knowledge that may pose as barriers to the widespread adoption of MET. This dissertation aims to narrow these knowledge gaps through a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) oftwo MET buildings in Singapore. Through conducting a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) questionnaire on the occupants of the two MET case studies, the performance of the MET buildings in meeting and satisfying the needs of its occupants was assessed. A POE on-site survey of 110 occupiers in these two MET buildings was conducted. In addition, the survey results were also compared with four other non-MET buildings. Findings from the study indicate that the use of MET materials in construction significantly demonstrates long-term adaptability and sustained performance during the post-occupancy period, and that incorporating biophilic elements such as timber in the design of buildings significantly impacts the health and well-being of its occupants positively.