Analysis of human factors in a building environmental assessment system in Korea: Resident perception and the G-SEED for MF scores

This study investigates the relationships between the scores of the Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design for Multi-Family Housing (G-SEED for MF) and resident perception ratings in Korea. Various sets of data were collected and analyzed, including the G-SEED for MF scorecards, resident surveys, and focus group interviews with professionals and residents. Results show that residents in the certified apartments have low awareness of the system. There are differences between the presence of G-SEED for MF features and the occupants' perception of those features. Additional differences are found between the expectations of professionals and resident ratings on the system's features. Its higher scores do not necessarily mean higher resident perception ratings of such features. The studied residents' perceptions often differ from those of professionals. The professionals are inclined to give more focus on construction costs of projects rather than living environments for occupants. The G-SEED for MF is currently evaluated on its economic benefits and energy consumption disregarding residents' opinions on the actual performance of green buildings. Suggestions for future development imply that perspectives of different end users need to be examined from varied research angles and methodologies to make the G-SEED for MF a comprehensive set of evaluation including significant human factors: building users' experience and perception.