Developing post-occupancy index (POI) for high-rise residential apartment buildings

Purpose This study aims to develop a framework to incorporate occupants’ comfort perceptions in the decision-making process for maintenance and retrofitting of multi-unit high-rise residential apartment buildings. Design/methodology/approach The study is dedicated to the rigorous development and validation of the post-occupancy index (POI) framework. To address varied occupant perceptions, a three-level POI framework is proposed. POI assessment criteria and sub-criteria are identified using the Delphi process. Analytical hierarchy process is used to determine the weights of each criterion based on expert input, and fuzzy measures assess occupant scores at the sub-criteria level. The final POI value is calculated using the weighted sum method. Lastly, POI is face-validated by experts and tested for reliability through sensitivity analysis. Findings The study develops and validates a framework useful to incorporate occupants’ reviews in the decision-making process. It also highlights the difference in the official occupants’ complaint data and occupants’ comfort perceptions. Practical implications POI offers a valuable tool for efficient maintenance, fund allocation, asset management and integrating occupants into decision-making processes. It also aids building designers and facility managers in evaluating building performance and making informed decisions based on end-user experiences and perceptions. Originality/value This study develops and presents the novel approach to involve multi-criteria decision-making processes to quantitatively incorporate occupants in the decision-making process for maintenance of high-rise residential buildings.