A user-centric analysis and survey-based approach for early design decision-making criteria of the ‘Symbiotic Data Platform’: Integration of BIM with IoT for occupants’ thermal comfort

This study aims to create the Symbiotic Data Platform, focusing on the intricate relationship between humans and the environment to optimize occupant thermal comfort and energy efficiency.The paper outlines early design decisions based on a validation survey, seeking to define user-centric demands and identify supply gaps.The Symbiotic Data Platform integrates Building Information Modeling data with real-time information, emphasizing user thermal perception, preferences, and demands.An online validation survey with 475 participants was conducted in the early design stages to gather essential insights.The study underscores the crucial role of user feedback in shaping early design decisions, emphasizing the need to incorporate user requirements for an effective system.The majority of participants expressed a demand for a personalized system to optimize residential thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption while including the building material data together with the occupants' real-time comfort information.Therefore, to be able to analyze the applicability and usability of this study, user-centric analysis was essential.Acknowledging the limitations of relying solely on user feedback, the study emphasizes a comprehensive approach considering various factors affecting occupant comfort and energy efficiency, with these limitations reconsidered during platform design.Practically, the findings stress the importance of real-time consideration of occupant preferences in decision-making processes, contributing to energy optimization and enhanced occupant comfort within buildings.The survey's participantbased demands were implemented as requested during the platform's design.