title: Mental models of a water management system in a green building.
abstract: This intergroup case study compared users' mental models with an expert design model of a water management system in a green building. The system incorporates a constructed wetland component and a rainwater collection pond that together recycle water for re-use in the building and its surroundings. The sample consisted of five building occupants and the cleaner (6 users) and two experts who were involved with the design of the water management system. Users' mental model descriptions and the experts' design model were derived from in-depth interviews combined with self-constructed (and verified) diagrams. Findings from the study suggest that there is considerable variability in the user mental models that could impact the efficient functioning of the water management system. Recommendations for improvements are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Human & Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, WITS, 2050, South Africa.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalantzis
authors.affiliation: School of Human & Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, WITS, 2050, South Africa. Electronic address: Andrew.Thatcher@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thatcher
authors.affiliation: Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit (IMWaRU), School of Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, WITS, 2050, South Africa.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sheridan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011891:Rain; D014881:Water Supply / Q000379:methods*; D053833:Wetlands
keywords: Constructed wetlands; Expert design models; Green ergonomics; User mental models; Water management system