Post-Occupancy Assessment

This research initiative analyzed the impact of 29 SWA-designed projects after construction and occupation.  The studies sought to understand the long term social, economic, ecological, and sustainable performance of projects ranging from one to 54 years old, inform current practices based on the outcomes of past projects, and develop rigor in evidence-based design.  Findings included lessons on human behavior, site utilization and user groups, natural systems evolution, the effects of updated regulations, material durability and maintenance practices, economic impacts, and project adaptability.  Results were released publically as a collection of reports each year during the initiative.  The report teams, comprised of SWA construction experts and designers, used three SWA-developed core methods to analyze domestic and international sites ranging from under one acre to 9,700 acres: Design Performance Assessment, Direct Observation, and Institutional Knowledge. This initiative continues SWA’s work on post-occupancy evaluation from a Landscape Architecture Foundation study and landscape performance with Infrastructure Research Initiative.