A building evaluation of the Gordon Head Student Hall of Residence, University of Victoria
Date
1980
Authors
Sturko, Derek
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Abstract
This thesis discusses a user-based appraisal of the Gordon Head Student Hall of Residence, located on the University of Victoria campus, Victoria, British Columbia. The research is a result of recent trends toward the assessment of a building's worth by utilitarian, rather than aesthetic, standards. Several related areas of literature are reviewed. This review places the present study into context, and discusses theoretical and methodological considerations associated with building evaluation.
Although the formal assessment of building milieux is in its infancy, an interdisciplinary approach to such appraisals is evident. Most researchers utilize a multioperational procedure in evaluation. In such an approach, several research methods are used together. Building evaluation attempts to compare design intentions with building performance as a measure of a building's perceived utility to its users. According to this definition, most previous student residence research is not evaluative.
Three data collection phases were involved in the present research. Initially, design intentions were elicited. These goals were tested in building performance in two ways. Residents' behavior was observed first, and a questionnaire was then administered to a stratified random sample of the population of Gordon Head Residence.
Results revealed several specific design intentions which were incorporated into Gordon Head, although a number of compromises were made from the original plan for the residence. These concessions were a result of financial constraints. Major goals for the buildings included a dormitory-style residence, single-occupancy rooms, a co-educational atmosphere, a moderate density, and a community feeling among residents.
Residents indicated moderate satisfaction with Gordon Head. Major sources of dissatisfaction included inadequate sound-proofing, the location of services and facilities, and the buildings physical appearance. Items inducing high contentment were the adequacy of services and facilities, the accessibility of telephone· and food services, and the centrally-located floor lounges incorporated into two of the residence's three buildings. Most aspects of the residence milieu evoked mild levels of contentment or discontent. Behaviors occurring within the residence were relatively consistent with stated satisfaction levels. Attempts to predict general satisfaction, based on available data, revealed that only a very moderate amount (37%) of this aspect could be predicted. The complex nature of student living conditions restricts accurate prediction of residents' satisfaction.
Occupants' expressed preferences revealed that on-campus apartments, of a partially coeducational nature, were most desirable. A suite living arrangement was next most preferred. Among Gordon Head residents, Gordon Head was the most desirable of the residences presently on the University of Victoria campus. Residents indicated several desirable design alterations, and suggested various facilities for future residence developments. Among the most common suggestions were internal kitchen facilities, a games room, a large common lounge in all residence halls, larger windows in bedrooms, and most frequently, more adequate soundproofing of buildings.
Several recommendations are made as a result of the data collected. These recommendations deal with individual's rooms facilities and services , the social milieu, and general design characteristics of on-campus housing. Suggestions are made for existing facilities, and for future residence hall projects at the University of Victoria.