Interactions between architects and end-users during housing design processes: a systematic literature review

Abstract

PurposeThis research focuses on the interactions between architects and end-users during the design process of housing projects, both experiencing challenges and friction points when meeting.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a systematic literature review (SLR), based on and adapted from Kitchenham and Charters' work (2007). The thematic analysis of N = 104 identified articles reveals 13 main themes and 30 subthemes specific to architects, end-users and the interactions of architects and end-users, and 3 main groups of other actors intervening in these dynamics. The authors organize the data by actors and the actors' social encounters, themes and subthemes. The authors focus on some aspects, given possible evolution of practices.FindingsThe authors question the role of architects and the ways both parties share respective knowledge. The authors also discuss the various scales of social encounters depicted through literature, from traditional discursive meetings to participatory practices, and raise the lack of convincing tools genuinely used in current housing architecture practices. Finally, the authors point out the need for further field research in order to practically bridge the gap between researchers and practitioners.Originality/valueThe authors present an overview of the most relevant papers, organized in a table and grouped by themes. This represents a major output of this SLR, and gives the concerned readers the opportunity to get a grasp on readers' sub/theme of interest.

Dissolving distances: Designing close-to-body experiences for remote settings

“…The table below displays the characteristics and contents of the booklet, analysed point by point, chapter by chapter, and identifies their provenance and aim. The systematic literature review (Mertens et al, 2022a), particularly Bogers et al's work (2008). Grey literature (Donnell and Day Architecture, 2020), inspirational TTSM card selected by 1 of the tables during the (2)…”

“…(i) To construct a better understanding of the field, we conduct: systematic literature reviews; interviews with architects (n=15); with user-clients with an experience of interaction with architects for a private housing project (n=14); and designers practising human-centred design or codesign (n=17). Further detail on that phase of the research can be found in the specific papers written by the authors (for instance: Mertens et al, 2022a; [to be published]a).…”

“…(3) Tests of these prototypes are then conducted to obtain feedback and iterate/develop them further. Three types of testing sessions are organised: (a) during a public event (conference + testing sessions) at the University of Liege, Belgium, in small groups (4 sessions with 29 participants: architects, architecture students, user-clients or curious citizens, and representatives of the Order of Architects); (b) in architectural practices by practitioners architects and clients (2 tests, 4 architects, 2 client-users); (c) at a design conference (2 prototypes tested by 8 designers and/or design researchers, (Mertens et al, 2022b).…”

“…The involvement of users in this process is essential to the success of the project Sarkar & Gero, 2017;Arboleda, 2020). A recent systematic literature review highlighted the current struggles these actors still encounter, confirming bottlenecks lying in the architects' assumed roles and in the current expectations and needs of their clients (Mertens et al, 2022a).…”

Client briefing issues and problems for requirement elicitation and validation: A survey among architects

“…More research efforts must be targeted to improve knowledge capturing and identifying effective tools and techniques in the construction industry [1]. Exploring the knowledge capturing techniques and barriers to improving client satisfaction [2] and defining the themes and subjects from literature about the interaction between architects and end-users for specific building typologies such as housing [3] contributes to these issues of client briefing in the design process.…”