Post-Occupancy Evaluation

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is defined as examination of the effectiveness for human users of occupied, designed environments. POEs generally focus on a single type of designed setting, tend to describe rather than manipulate, and are usually aimed at application. Within this wide focus, POEs vary considerably, and three conceptual dimensions-generality, breadth of focus, and applicability-are useful in cataloguing them. These dimensions are described and their implications for POE sponsorship and methods are discussed. Suggestions are proposed for future developments of the field.