Search results
1 – 10 of 22Mohammad A. Hassanain, Ammar H. A. Dehwah, Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire and Wahhaj Ahmed
This study aims to evaluate the quality of an on-campus medical facility at a leading university.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the quality of an on-campus medical facility at a leading university.
Design/methodology/approach
Published literature was consulted to review knowledge areas on the usability and quality performance requirements of healthcare facilities. Quality indicators were, thus, developed from the extant literature and verified by a walkthrough of a case study medical facility. Then, a quality assessment survey was developed and administered to obtain feedback from users of the medical facility. Additionally, a focus group meeting was conducted to obtain more qualitative feedback on the issues identified through the questionnaire survey.
Findings
The results show that users were generally satisfied with the identified evaluation categories, indicating moderate quality. Potential quality issues related to the exterior and interior finishes, furniture and the indoor air were noted through focus group meetings. The study proposed a number of recommendations to enhance the design quality of the medical center.
Originality/value
The importance of this study is evident in the fact that the quality of healthcare facilities has a direct link to the performance and overall well-being of its intended users, as well as the overall success of its host organization. The study demonstrates the value of users' feedback on the quality of a built facility. It re-emphasizes the point that buildings can only be judged to be of high quality if the users' are highly satisfied.
Details
Keywords
Abdullah Owaimer Alsehaimi and Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire
The construction industry is witnessing a paradigm shift as a consequence of the fourth industrial revolution (IR 4.0). The implementation of IR4.0 technologies is, however…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry is witnessing a paradigm shift as a consequence of the fourth industrial revolution (IR 4.0). The implementation of IR4.0 technologies is, however, elementary in emerging economies such as Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to carry out an examination of benefits, challenges and critical success factors for IR4.0 implementation in the construction industry in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology entailed a thorough review of the extant literature and consultation with experienced construction professionals in Saudi Arabia through questionnaire surveys. The data collected was further analyzed using the relative importance index approach and the confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The most important benefits, challenges and critical success factors established by this study include “Improved Communication and Coordination,” “Cost of implementation (initial investment and maintenance)” and “Clear goals and objectives,” respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis established a theoretical model to serve as a foundation for IR4.0 adoption in the Saudi construction industry.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations may be perceived in terms of the local context of the research, as well as the sample size. This prevents the potential for generalization of the study’s results.
Practical implications
It is of practical value to the Saudi construction industry in facilitating the successful implementation of technology through policies, frameworks and best practice guidance.
Originality/value
The study advances the theoretical knowledge of technology implementation in the construction industry. Emerging economies such as Saudi Arabia seeking to leverage the capabilities of digital technologies will find the results of this to be of crucial value.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad A. Hassanain, Mohammed Al-Harogi and Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire
This research aims to examine the practice of design for safety (DfS) in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to examine the practice of design for safety (DfS) in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has adopted a mixed-method approach through the use of questionnaire surveys administered to professionals in architecture and engineering firms, as well as follow-up interviews with selected participants. The participants consisted of architects, structural engineers and electromechanical engineers. The study investigated dimensions related to knowledge and awareness, attitude toward DfS implementation and critical success factors for DfS implementation. These various dimensions have been assessed accordingly through the mean ratings in the relevant section of this paper. The thematic responses obtained from the follow-up interviews have been summarized and presented.
Findings
The findings from this study reveal a high level of awareness of DfS in Saudi Arabia. It also revealed that the most influential critical success factors are legislation and awareness of stakeholders, whereas the major barrier is the fear of cost overruns by the clients and their representatives.
Originality/value
The design stage of construction projects is crucial to enhancing the safety performance of projects through effective control of hazardous situations. The concept of DfS is, however, immature in many countries, such as Saudi Arabia, due to lack of awareness, enabling policies and other barriers. The value of this study is that it shows the current level of knowledge and practice of DfS in architecture and engineering firms in Saudi Arabia and consequently triggers the interest of stakeholders in its adoption and implementation.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad A. Hassanain, Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire and Abubakar Sadiq Mahmoud
This study aims to present the design quality assessment of facilities on a university campus in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present the design quality assessment of facilities on a university campus in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
Forty-nine standardized design quality indicators (DQIs) have been adopted for the study. These were classified into relevant categories including: “Indoor Environment, Safety and Maintenance,” “Furniture, Utilities and Spaces” and “Privacy, Appearance and Surrounding Areas.” A web-based survey was used to obtain responses from 207 respondents. The survey was designed based on a Likert scale of satisfaction and was analyzed to obtain the satisfaction indices (SI) as well as Design Quality Scores (DQS).
Findings
Occupants were dissatisfied the “level of noise generated from within the space,” “amount of natural light from daylighting systems” and “ease of control of air ventilation systems” among others. The DQS revealed that residential buildings had the highest design quality in terms of “Indoor Environment, Safety, and Maintenance” and “Privacy, Appearance and Surrounding Areas.” Administrative buildings had the best design quality in terms of “furniture, utilities and spaces.” Academic buildings had the lowest design quality in terms of “Indoor Environment, Safety and Maintenance” and “Privacy, Appearance and Surrounding Areas.”
Originality/value
Ultimately, the study demonstrated how the adoption of a standard set of DQIs could facilitate the standardization of design quality evaluation in the property sector as well as identify best practices through comparison and benchmarking.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad A. Hassanain, Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire, Abubakar Sadiq Mahmoud and Wahhaj Ahmed
The purpose of this paper is to present the post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of academic and research laboratory facilities. This is based on the premise that the performance of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of academic and research laboratory facilities. This is based on the premise that the performance of such facilities is directly connected to the productivity, health and wellbeing of its users.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper was carried out in two phases, first, the performance requirements for academic and laboratory facilities were identified through the extant literature. Furthermore, a questionnaire survey was developed to carry out a POE of existing academic and research laboratory facilities in a university campus in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was designed using a Likert scale of one to five. Finally, the satisfaction index was computed, and rates of satisfaction with the various performance requirements were determined.
Findings
The paper resulted into 74 performance requirements grouped into three categories. The respondents showed general satisfaction with most of the performance requirements. However, dissatisfaction was observed in performance requirements related to technical features and the availability of sustainability features. Such findings suggest the growing importance of such technical and sustainable features in modern-day laboratories.
Originality/value
Though few studies have employed POE in assessing the performance of academic facilities, there is still a gap regarding its application to the laboratory facilities. Thus, the originality of this study is evident in its presentation of a set of performance requirements and its further application as a case study.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad A. Hassanain, Abdullah Ehtesham Akbar, Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire and Adel Alshibani
This paper aims to present an assessment of the challenges of using building information modeling (BIM) in the facilities management (FM) practice in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an assessment of the challenges of using building information modeling (BIM) in the facilities management (FM) practice in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the relevant literature was conducted, resulting in identifying 31 potential challenges to BIM utilization in FM, which were grouped into five main categories. These challenges were used to design a five-point Likert scale questionnaire survey to obtain the feedback of experts in the FM domain in Saudi Arabia. The professionals that participated in the survey consisted of facilities managers, maintenance managers and BIM experts. The results obtained were analyzed based on the Effect Index (EI) approach. The questionnaire also contained an open-ended section for more qualitative data.
Findings
The results of the EI revealed that the top most influential challenges include “integration of the building systems design with BIM”, “definition of handover requirements and integration requirements between FM and BIM” and “getting appropriate and accurate information”. The category with the highest EI was the “challenges pertaining to the execution of BIM in FM”.
Practical implications
The paper outlines the critical challenges influencing the utilization of BIM in FM in Saudi Arabia and, as a result, could facilitate the development of implementation plans for BIM utilization. Thus, the study results have practical implications for stakeholders in the building industry.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the building industry through its discussion of the challenges of BIM utilization in FM and thus has the potential to increase the level of awareness of stakeholders in the industry.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad A. Hassanain, Ali K. Alnuaimi and Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire
This paper aims to present an assessment of user satisfaction of an innovative workplace design, otherwise known as flexible workplaces.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an assessment of user satisfaction of an innovative workplace design, otherwise known as flexible workplaces.
Design/methodology/approach
The study first sought to establish the level of flexibility of the workplace through the identification of flexibility criteria presented in a checklist format. In total, 29 criteria were identified and subsequently assigned weights by ten professionals. These professionals further assessed a case study office building through a walkthrough exercise to determine its level of flexibility. Furthermore, a post occupancy evaluation (POE) was conducted to assess the level of users’ satisfaction with functional performance elements. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 142 users, with a 63 per cent response rate. The feedback was analyzed and presented using the mean satisfaction index approach.
Findings
The results showed that the total flexibility achieved by the facility is 67.63 per cent, which is considered to be “averagely flexible”. The POE results also showed that users were strongly dissatisfied (SD) with the “adequate number of enclosed offices,” which is one of the corner-stones of flexibility where open-plan offices are strongly encouraged. Users expressed dissatisfaction with other issues, while their overall satisfaction with the facility was noted.
Originality/value
This study is based on the premise that innovative workplace facilities will only fulfill its intended objectives if designers consider the satisfaction of its users. The study makes a specific contribution in the assessment of workplace flexibility and occupants’ satisfaction of flexible workplaces. This will be of significant value to facility managers, designers and space planners involved in the design and management of workplace facilities.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad A. Hassanain, Omar H. Daghistani and Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire
This study aims to develop a set of design quality indicators (DQIs) suitable for the design and evaluation of public schools in terms of their technical, functional and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop a set of design quality indicators (DQIs) suitable for the design and evaluation of public schools in terms of their technical, functional and behavioral performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology entailed the review of literature on the design quality of school buildings to identify potential DQIs. Subsequently, the eighty four DQIs were validated through a three-round Delphi evaluation process, with 35 participants in the first round and 28 participants in the second and third rounds. The participants consisted of architects, facility managers, administrators, teachers and students. The results of the Delphi survey were analyzed based on the relative importance index, which was further rated according to the levels of importance.
Findings
The findings from this process revealed that most of the DQIs were categorized as extremely important and very important.
Originality/value
The design quality of school buildings is crucial to the success of a community’s social life and educational process. However, the lack of a set of DQIs has hindered the potential to benchmark similar facilities and derived lesson learned. The value of the DQIs is in its potential application as a design tool for proposed school buildings, as well as for facility audit of existing school buildings.
Details
Keywords
Abubakar S. Mahmoud, Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire and Mohammad A. Hassanain
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a theoretical calculation for the emergency evacuation of an auditorium facility managed by a university in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a theoretical calculation for the emergency evacuation of an auditorium facility managed by a university in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors reviewed the published literature to identify the sources of fire incidence, guidelines for means of escape in assembly occupancies and human behavior in fire emergencies. The theoretical method of the SFPE handbook to estimate the required evacuation time was subsequently applied to a case study of an auditorium facility managed by a university located in Saudi Arabia. Finally, the authors developed recommendations for the performance-based fire safety evacuation of the auditorium facility under review.
Findings
The study showed that a total of 6 minutes 39 seconds is needed to evacuate the whole auditorium. However, reviewed literature for assembly occupancies requires between 4 minutes 30 seconds and 6 minutes 24 seconds for total evacuation. Though, the calculated evacuation time is close to generally acceptable limits. It was noted that overcrowding and bottlenecks may be formed in some of the exit routes.
Originality/value
This paper will stimulate and increase research and industry concern for performance-based design of assembly-type facilities. This will be of significant value to designers, engineers, facilities managers, and owners in ensuring the safety of occupants in assembly-type facilities.
Details
Keywords
Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire, Mohammad A. Hassanain, Abubakar Sadiq Mahmoud and Wahhaj Ahmed
University research and academic laboratory facilities are key elements in the support of a successful education and research experience. World-class universities consider the…
Abstract
Purpose
University research and academic laboratory facilities are key elements in the support of a successful education and research experience. World-class universities consider the functionality of these facilities as a matter of high priority. The functionality of research and academic laboratory facilities is strongly linked to the productivity of students, teachers and researchers who use these facilities. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the functional performance of eight university laboratories using the space syntax approach.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology involved the measurements and drawing of as-built floor plans of selected academic and research laboratories. The main benchmarks involved in measuring the functional efficiency, such as mean depth (MD) of space and real relative asymmetry (RRA), were analyzed using the A-graph software and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
Findings
The results show that “Type D” (chemistry teaching laboratory) and “Type C” (concrete teaching/research laboratory) laboratories have the tendency to be more accessible, efficient and flexible compared to the other laboratory layouts with MD and RRA values of 5.947 and 3.472, and 4.287 and 1.674, respectively.
Practical implications
This study shows that the functional efficiency of academic and research laboratories can be influenced by the spatial configuration of the space, as presented by the space syntax theory. Space syntax benchmark elements, such as MD, RRA, R and H*, can be used to compare various spatial arrangements, and the results can inform decisions on ways to re-arrange the space for optimum efficiency.
Originality/value
It is hoped that the idea of space syntax theory in the evaluation of the functional efficiency of laboratory facilities, illustrated in this research, is of significant contribution to the enhancement of the research and educational experience of concerned stakeholders in teaching and research environments.
Details