The Influence of Space Layout Design on Occupant’s Energy Behaviour

In the past 15 years, the calculation of energy consumption in buildings has become more and more critical due to growing scientific and political concerns to respond to the challenges of global warming and climate change. The estimation of energy demand in buildings is now often a required process during the design stages. Yet, there is a considerable discrepancy between the predicted and actual energy consumption in buildings due to occupants' energy consumption activities. Occupants' presence and their interactions with building systems play a significant role in building's energy consumption; however, it has been overlooked in building energy predictions. Different studies have been performed with the aim to better understand the parameters affecting occupant's energy behaviour with special focus on climatic, economics, regulations and social/personal aspects. Interior design of the space, too, has various impacts on behaviours of occupants and their interactions with building systems which affects the energy consumption of buildings. Space layout is a feature within interior design of space which influences occupants' movement and choices of intentional behaviours. This paper highlights a gap in the knowledge by introducing 'space layout' features as an influential factor on occupant's energy behaviours and propose an analytical method to study the impact of the space layout on occupants' energy behaviours. Understanding the impact will help designers influence the sustainable behaviour through the design of interior spaces.