Disconnects and synergies: A review of engineering and social science approaches to studying occupant window behaviour in office building

To reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, energy-efficient buildings are essential. Natural ventilation, facilitated by occupant-controlled windows, is an effective solution. In naturally ventilated buildings, their building performance, both environmental and energy, is quite dependent on occupant window behaviour. Understanding this relationship is vital for reducing energy use and enhancing well-being. Occupant behaviour, including window operation, is complex and requires interdisciplinary insights. Particularly in office spaces, more people exhibit complex window behaviours. Despite extensive research themes in this area, distinct contributions between engineering and social science studies have not been thoroughly explored. This study systematically reviewed 106 office-based studies to explore disparities and synergies between engineering and social science research methods. The review identified significant divergences in research aims, data collection methods, and theoretical foundations across disciplines. It further proposes an interdisciplinary framework grounded in a clear philosophical foundation. The framework clarifies the dual nature of occupant behaviour, shaped by both causal regularities and social meaning and integrates meta-theoretical positions with problem-driven methodological strategies. This review offers an initial attempt to guide interdisciplinary research on occupant window behaviour in buildings, potentially supporting more socially responsive and philosophically coherent approaches to building performance evaluation and design.