Post occupancy study for green school facilities: Case study of reedy fork elementary school

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a post occupancy study to systematically evaluate the performance and effectiveness of implemented green features in the Reedy Fork Elementary School facility in Greensboro, NC. The school's efforts to achieve green building goals have been extensively documented in previous studies in terms of its design and construction strategies. In this study, the research team conducted interviews with the school principal and the facility manager to characterize the actual performance of the school. In addition, a post occupancy survey developed by the authors was distributed to teachers and staff. This follow-on analysis has allowed the research team to better understand the impact of the efficiency and effectiveness of the facility's green design and construction strategies and how the facility affects students' attitudes and behavior toward sustainability. The findings of this study will help the facility team at Reedy Fork Elementary School to better manage the operation and maintenance of the facility. Additionally, this study provides a basis for professionals in architectural, engineering, and construction firms seeking to understand the relative effectiveness and efficiency of green design and construction strategies in a typical North Carolina educational facility. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.