1. Context

The energy crisis has had an impact on the construction industry that has yet to be fully appreciated by all professionals. It raises the question of who is responsible for the volume of consumption. How, indeed, can we separate consumption due to the building from that resulting from the behavior of residents? This interaction poses a fundamental problem for those wishing to embark on an ecological transition. All too often, buildings advertised as high-performance turn out to be defective. Would it be possible to define a building where the consumption levels claimed as expected can actually be observed in use?

On reflection, this question leads us to consider the continuity that exists between the program and the delivered product. And, more generally, it leads us to consider the industry's ability to deliver solutions that fully meet the initial specifications....