Integration of Principles for Energy-efficient Architecture and Sustainable Facilities Management

Building use and operation account for 40% of the total energy consumption in Europe. Energy efficiency is not only an architectural issue. How a building is used and operated will have a high impact on total energy consumption. The objective of this paper is to integrate principles for energy-efficient architecture and sustainable facilities management. The integrative approach targets the cooperation of architects and facilities managers towards improvements to buildings' energy-efficiency. In addition, it contributes to the changing focus of FM from cost reduction towards adding quality and value. The theoretical background to the research presented here is founded on the theory of post-occupancy evaluation and building performance evaluation. The theory and its exemplary applications are discussed regarding energy-efficiency improvements to architectural design and facilities management. Findings are structured regarding how architects and facilities managers can benefit from an integrative approach. It is concluded that there is a general need to systematically study how buildings are used and operated in order to maximize their full potential for effective and efficient energy consumption.