Mohammed Seddiki, Karima Anouche and Amar Bennadji
The need for the thermal insulation of masonry buildings in Algeria is no longer debated. This paper aims to propose an integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision aid method for the…
Abstract
Purpose
The need for the thermal insulation of masonry buildings in Algeria is no longer debated. This paper aims to propose an integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision aid method for the thermal insulation of masonry buildings to rank the thermal insulation solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed method combines the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process with the fuzzy preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation.
Findings
A case study using the proposed method is detailed in this paper. The building users’ preferences obtained by the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process had a higher level of consistency and accuracy. The case study demonstrates how in a highly uncertain field such as thermal insulation of masonry buildings, the fuzzy preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation can prevent the loss of valuable evaluation data and overcome difficulty in integrating linguistic assessments of the thermal insulation alternatives.
Originality/value
The proposed method extends current knowledge by using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process to consider uncertainties regarding the building users’ preferences, and the fuzzy preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation to get a complete ranking of the thermal insulation solutions taking into account the uncertainties related to the alternatives’ evaluations.
Details
Keywords
Abdelkrim Benammar, Karima Anouche, Hasnia Lesgaa and Yamina Hamza Cherif
This paper aims to examine the impact of an open-plan office (OPO) space organisation on a user’s attitude in the Algerian context; more specifically, it investigates gender…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impact of an open-plan office (OPO) space organisation on a user’s attitude in the Algerian context; more specifically, it investigates gender differences in the occupants’ perception of such working environment. It, principally, aims to explore the employees’ reaction towards OPO and sees how much such local office type complies with indoor environment quality (IEQ) and psychological comfort.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical framework of the study is mainly related to environmental psychology referring to the interaction between users and their environment. Post-occupancy evaluation was carried out using exploratory study and questionnaires, followed by statistical analyses. It was performed on a large-scale sample of employees (296 employees) working in recently built OPO situated in Oran (Algeria).
Findings
Fundamentally, women appear to show more concern regarding comfort. They do not show much reluctance to be mixed with men in a large office space as opposed to more conservative reaction towards mixing up in outdoor public space environment. As for environmental factors (IEQ), indicators have shown the inadequacy of most buildings in terms of thermal, light or noise comfort. The study has also revealed that a majority of users recognise the professional advantages of the OPO, although it is suggested that their preferred type would be the individual office.
Originality/value
The paper provides a concise starting point for future research interested in developing Algerian context OPO design in terms of both indoor environmental and psychological comfort.