Adaptabilidade em edifícios universitários: diagnósticos e estratégias a partir da avaliação pós-ocupação

Abstract

Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a fundamental role in disseminating quality education and producing scientific knowledge, generating significant social and economic impacts in the regions where they are located. However, the aging of these institutions' buildings, coupled with the fact that many buildings were not designed with adaptability in mind, has raised concerns about the need for adjustments over time. Given this scenario, this study sought to answer key questions about adaptability in university buildings, investigating how it could be assessed and its importance for the qualification of academic spaces. The main objective of this study was to develop methodological procedures and standardized instruments for Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) in university buildings, focusing on identifying impacts and analyzing the adaptability of the built environment in use. To this end, a methodological approach was adopted consisting of: (i) a systematic review of the literature for theoretical grounding; (ii) the development of a PEA methodological artifact with an emphasis on adaptability; (iii) documentary analysis of data, projects, and institutional records; and (iv) empirical application of the methodology in two buildings on the Santa Monica Campus of the Federal University of Uberlândia (1ISM and 5OSM), followed by integrated analysis of the results. The findings showed that block 1ISM, although it has adaptive potential due to its modular design, has shortcomings in terms of accessibility, environmental comfort, and safety. Block 5OSM, on the other hand, demonstrated the benefits of a well-defined needs program and the adoption of technological solutions that minimized the need for subsequent adaptations. The integrated analysis of the methodology's application highlighted the importance of structuring the process in three complementary stages (identification of impacts, assessment of installed adaptability, and assessment of institutional vulnerability), ensuring greater consistency and depth in the diagnoses. Among the main contributions of this research, the following stand out: the consolidation of a methodological artifact applicable to the university context, integrating technical, functional, perceptual, and institutional dimensions; the validation of the method's applicability in buildings from different design, construction, and use periods; and the development of a booklet on the application of APO in HEIs, designed as a tool to support the management, maintenance, adaptation, and planning of new buildings. The main limitations of the research are the limited number of buildings evaluated and the reduced time for in-depth validation of the method and the booklet, indicating the need to expand the empirical basis without compromising the results. As next steps, it is 5 recommended to test the artifact in different campuses, typologies, and institutional contexts, to deepen the analysis of the variables that influence adaptability, and to integrate APO into digital systems and indicators of sustainability, energy, and accessibility, expanding its strategic potential for university management. In summary, the results reaffirm the relevance of APO as a strategic tool for the pursuit of quality, efficiency, and sustainability in university buildings, contributing to strengthening the culture of continuous evaluation in HEIs and offering technical and methodological support to managers, designers, and public policy makers focused on improving the academic built environment.