The architects approach to the project of energy efficient office buildings in warm climate and the importance of design methods

Abstract

This article aims at a better understanding of how decisions are taken to improve energy performance of office buildings in warm climates and why energy tools are not popular among the architects. A survey was developed based on theory of designer's thinking and activities. Most of the survey consists of statements that can be weighted on a scale of 1 to 5, during specific stages of design: pre-design, sketch and detail phases. The survey is split in four groups of architects: post graduate students, lecturers, architects with expertise in sustainable environment design (ESD) and recognized architects.