Critical reflections on the process of interdisciplinary building science research

Interdisciplinary building science research has emerged as a promising approach to gaining more holistic understandings of the ways in which buildings perform and are experienced by their inhabitants. The problem is that despite a desire for interdisciplinary approaches, there remains a disconnect between those trained in technical studies and those whose fields are grounded in community-based or participatory efforts. Despite its adoption in research practice, the processes involved in combining traditionally technical engineering-led efforts with those from the social sciences means there are significant implications for research design and execution when performing this type of interdisciplinary research. This article provides critical reflections on the theoretical and practical epistemological, methodological, and engagement challenges encountered and navigated by a team of interdisciplinary researchers exploring the ways in which wellbeing emerges in the built environment. These reflections address the realities of interdisciplinary building science research, bounded by the limits of time, resources and disciplinary siloes. These insights are used to identify the ways in which research teams may be able to anticipate, address and work through the challenges encountered in their own work exploring building performance and experience.

PRACTICE RELEVANCE

The insights in research design are useful to interdisciplinary research teams exploring building performance and experience. They may provide a foundation for project managers of interdisciplinary building research projects, as well as researchers exploring other aspects and impacts of the built environment, such as the energy transition and affiliated practices, conveying practical tips, experiences, and knowledge from the field.