Human agents in building modelling: between Déjà Vu and Epiphany

Abstract

Explanatory models of people's perception and behaviour provide the basis for a rational approach to the definition of desirable indoor environmental conditions in buildings. But we do not possess definitive instances of such models. Moreover, they come in different degrees of detail and sophistication. Nevertheless, a cursory look at related theoretical work reveals a recurrent pattern. This suggests that, despite their multifariousness, models of environmental perception and evaluation may share some essential features. To pursue this possibility via consideration of a few instances of such models is not only of interest from the historical point of view. Rather, it could also facilitate an intuitive understanding of the nature of indoor-environmentally relevant human requirements relevant to the indoor environment.