Exploring work environment usage behaviour through context-aware mobile methods

Abstract

<div lang="en" class="abs"><p class="abs_header">Abstract</p><p>This paper presents our findings on knowledge work environment usage behaviour through a combined automated mobile indoor positioning system and self-reports collected from the environment’s inhabitants. Contemporary work environments are increasingly flexible multi-occupant environments as opposed to cellular offices. Understanding persons’ task-related and situation-related environmental needs is critical to improve the design of future knowledge work environments. This study is conducted in a team office environment prior to and following an intervention in which the office layout was re-organized. The combined methodological approach described in this paper provides a new tool for architecture researchers aiming to understand the use of workspaces. Importantly, combining self-reports with context-aware location data collection provides researchers an efficient in situ tool to access participants experiences and decision-making process in choosing their workstation or workspace.</p></div>