Users as co-designers: Visual–spatial experiences at Whitworth Art Gallery

2022

SAGE Open

Self Cite

Built environment research has long been interested in understanding the complexities of transitional spaces by investigating their hosted interactions. One approach used in efforts of this kind is actor-network theory (ANT), which conceptualizes built spaces as networks of relations that allow for certain interactions but not others. Previous studies have not considered the full variety of such interactions, having either addressed such multiplicity generically or focused on particular interactions related to a specific activity. Filling this gap, this article utilizes an ANT-inspired ethnographic approach to unpack the spatial diversity of a Jordanian university’s corridor space by mapping the various interactions therein. The findings present the relational dynamics within the various networks created and show how they have diversifying effects on the very shaping of the corridor. Ultimately, this article suggests a more nuanced conceptualization of transitional spaces through a better understanding of the multitude of interactions, offering designers a tool to create distinctive spaces that serve different user needs.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Secret Lives of Corridors: Networks of Relations in Transitional Built Spaces

2022

SAGE Open

Self Cite

“…The findings from the sustainable lighting strategies at MIST demonstrate how designers script the built environment, where users translate these scripts to fit their lifestyles in multiple ways (Fallan, 2008a, b; Harrison and Kjellberg, 2016; Madsen, 2019; Sharif, 2016, 2020). The scripts of daylighting, motion sensing and system control were translated through an array of reconfigurations including supporting, tinkering, adjusting and resisting that influenced the building performance and user experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting, tinkering, adjusting and resisting: a typology of user translations of the built environment

Karvonen

2021

OHI

Self Cite

PurposeArchitectural theorists have a long tradition of acknowledging the centrality of building users to architectural production. This article contributes to the discourse on architecture, actor–network theory (ANT), and users by proposing a typology of user translations ranging from supporting to tinkering to adjusting to resisting.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilises an ANT-inspired ethnography of sustainable lighting scripts at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). It comprises semi-structured interviews with MIST designers and students, and site visits and participant observation to understand how the users interpret the scripts and how they interact and change them on a daily basis.FindingsThere is a shared understanding that users do not simply receive architectural designs but interpret and change them to suit their preferences. The findings reveal the multiple ways that users interpret and respond to the assumptions of designers and in the process, recast the relations between themselves and their material surroundings.Originality/valueThe research contributes to acknowledging the centrality of users to architectural design processes and the interpretation of design scripts, addressing the limitation in current literature in demonstrating the diversity of ways that users react to such scripts. The research suggests that user actions have significant implications on long-term building performance. It accordingly points to the need for devising multiple means of user involvement in the design process and allowing greater flexibility in design scripts to improve the alignment with user preferences.

“…If a specific type of activity (e.g. playing, sitting, vending) recurs with a similar pattern, such as using the same objects and occupying similar times and locations, then the activity network is considered stabilised, albeit temporarily (Kim, 2017; Sharif, 2020a, b). Thus, an individual activity can be produced and stabilised through similarly or differently shaped networks.…”

Section: Actor-network Theory and The Temporality Of Urban Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

Activity networks and the temporality of urban space: the case of a cul-de-sac square

2021

ARCH

Self Cite

PurposeThis study draws on recent actor-network theory (ANT) literature to provide a nuanced understanding of the effect of time on activity networks in urban spaces. It investigates the role of time in multiplying these networks and producing urban change, which is limited in similar ANT-related research.Design/methodology/approachThis ethnographic study of a cul-de-sac square within a housing project in the suburb of Dahiyat Al-Hussein in Amman, Jordan, documents the changes in its activity networks when comparing the 1990s with 2019. Data were collected through interviews and site observations covering the two time periods to investigate the different activities that occurred constantly over time, which reflect the temporal network stabilisation within the square.FindingsThe findings demonstrate the profound effect time has on the stability of activity networks related to playing, observing, walking, vending and their interrelations. Their overlaps and conflicts with each other and with other networks in the space were observed. Unpacking the stability of activity networks and their interrelations demonstrates the change in their actor relations and temporalities over time. This is significant in understanding urban change.Originality/valueThe study investigates the importance of time in recognising and extending the multiplicity of urban activities, which suggests new ways of understanding urban change. This exploration highlights new possibilities for creating more adaptable spaces according to residents' long-term needs.