An integral sustainable design approach to human inhabitation of architectural spaces: theory and project design

This paper presents an integrally‐informed, Wilber‐influenced approach to expanding the study of
occupant behaviour beyond building science. Poorly understood occupants are a main reason why
predicted and actual building energy performance deviate significantly. Existing research focuses on
a useful but limited objective science and engineering approach. This research project develops an
integral methodology for transdisciplinary inquiry of occupants’ experience and action in architectural
space, with regard to their experience of nature and natural forces. Each of four major perspectives
has two research questions; each question, a method from architectural design, building science,
cultural theory, place phenomenology or social psychology. Our hypothesis is that spatial‐temporal
patterns can serve as an integrating frame among diverse perspectives. We conclude with proposing
conceptual frames for future research into architectural inhabitation from sixteen prospects generated
from four levels of complexity in each of four primary perspectives.