Can the world be saved by rethinking buildings and their users? : an analytic approach into Norway's first renovated energy plus house

The goal of this thesis is to provide the reader with a satisfactory insight into why we need to study use in energy effective buildings. The building stock is a large energy consumer and is characterized by rigid traditions, lack of innovation, short sighted economical calculations and lacking ambition in public regulations. The fact of the matter is that buildings need to become more energy effective and green if important environmental challenges are to be met. Earlier research into energy efficient buildings show that it isn’t enough to only provide technological solution since the occupants may resent the guidelines of use these new technical components presents. In light of this understanding this thesis will explore the theoretical framework presented by science and technology studies (STS) in an attempt to construct insight into how a co-production of user and technology will result in energy effectiveness. Through qualitative interviews conducted at the renovated energy plus house Powerhouse Kjørbo, the thesis analyses users and usage in order to determine whether or not the building is successfully domesticated. This process has been divided into four categories which contains unique circumstances that reveal the domestication process. With such a thorough method of progress the thesis proceeds to the final chapter where a summarized discussion reveals the benefits of this research and the perspective of viewing technology in relation to use. Hopefully, the understandings presented in this thesis can help to provide insight into important considerations when shaping, building and reconstructing a new and more sustainable building stock