Post-Occupancy Evaluation in Apartments using the "MEU APÊ" WebApp

a comparative analysis of different ways of applying it.

Published
2026-06-18
Keywords: avaliação pós-ocupação, edifício de apartamento, inovação tecnológica, interfaces digitais, qualidade ambiental post-occupancy evaluation, apartment building, technological innovation, digital interfaces, environmental quality evaluación postocupación, edificio de apartamentos, innovación tecnológica, interfaces digitales, calidad ambiental

    Authors

  • Simone Villa Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e Design; Professora no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo e no Curso de Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4413-7821
  • Rita Saramago Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e Design; Professora e Coordenadora no Curso de Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5173-3739
  • Robson Gonçalves Júnior Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e Design; Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4092-6450
  • Raíssa Pires Carvalho Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e Design; Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo

Abstract

The construction industry has a significant environmental impact, accounting for more than one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction and operational processes. In the Brazilian context, many high-rise residential buildings fail to meet environmental and climate quality standards, resulting in a growing reliance on artificial climate control to compensate for design flaws. Given this situation, this article presents the results of applying the WebApp MEU APÊ tool, developed by the [MORA] group at FAUeD/UFU, as an instrument for Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of environmental quality in apartments. The objective of the study was to investigate the environmental quality of living and identify the role of residents in reducing impacts, conducting a comparative and critical analysis between applications in two distinct scenarios in Uberlândia (MG): an on-site test in a specific condominium and an online test targeting a sample of the city as a whole. Methodologically, the research was based on the hypothetical-deductive method associated with Design Science Research (DSR), structured around usability tests using the System Usability Scale (SUS), on-site tests with 51 residential units—including temperature and humidity measurements with digital thermo-hygrometers—and online tests with 150 residents. The results revealed that residents’ thermal satisfaction is largely “artificial,” since their well-being is made possible by the intensive use of climate control (air conditioning and fans) for periods exceeding 9 hours a day, masking the buildings’ poor bioclimatic performance and the lack of passive strategies. Although participants demonstrate high individual awareness regarding energy-saving habits and waste disposal, these actions are limited by systemic barriers, such as the absence of renewable energy systems and the prevalence of collective water metering. It is concluded that the MEU APÊ WebApp fulfills a scientific and educational role, validating the need for future architectural projects to incorporate efficient passive solutions to reduce thermal load and energy dependence, promoting more sustainable living.

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References

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How to Cite
VILLA, Simone Barbosa; SARAMAGO, Rita de Cássia Pereira; GONÇALVES JÚNIOR, Robson; CARVALHO, Raíssa Pires. Post-Occupancy Evaluation in Apartments using the "MEU APÊ" WebApp: a comparative analysis of different ways of applying it. Thésis, Rio de Janeiro, v. 11, n. 21, 2026. DOI: 10.51924/revthesis.2026.v11.640. Disponível em: https://thesis.emnuvens.com.br/revista-thesis/article/view/640. Acesso em: 20 jun. 2026.

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