Post occupancy evaluation of buildings in South Africa : a case study of Sophiatown student residence, Johannesburg

M.Tech. (Construction Management)Sophiatown residence is one of the newly built residential accommodations in University of Johannesburg. The residence is currently the biggest residence in University of Johannesburg in terms of rooms and is a residential accommodation for only students of University of Johannesburg. The residence is a three storey building and has 416 room all single rooms and 416 students occupying it. This research work is post occupancy evaluation of an education building in Johannesburg. The study evaluates the building performance; the extent to which the students are satisfied with the indoor environmental quality and investigates the extent to which the University of Johannesburg newly constructed residence is satisfactory to its occupants (students). It also evaluates the indoor environmental quality elements that affect the student’s health and common illness that affect the student’s performance. The methodology used for this study was quantitative. A structured questionnaire with multiple choices, scaled, matrix-type and open ended question was used to conduct the interview and obtain data during the survey. Findings from the survey revealed that the building is not performing as intended because the occupants needed improvements in some area in the residence like; quality of natural light in there room, size of the study hall, quality of space provided in there study hall and others. The students were satisfied with the building although they need improvements in the study hall, toilet and bathroom, kitchen and TV room, internet services and others. However, students need little improvement in the quality of artificial light in their room, quality of natural light in their room, size of their study hall, and others. They also needed improvements in the size of their room, temperature in their room, noise level in the study hall (ability to have conversation without neighbors overhearing it), and others. Lastly, it was revealed that Fatigue (tiredness) is the most commonly experience illness while nausea is most frequently illness had and also affect the students’ performance. Based on the findings from the study, it is recommended that the institution evaluates the IEQ at specific intervals to ensure that occupants are happy at all times and also to empower the executive managers in such a way that they are able to choose the correct materials during the design stage to promote good indoor air quality. It is important that the managers attend workshops (trainings) so that they have a better understanding of good indoor air quality that will keep occupants satisfied with the performance of the building