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This spring I graduated from Chalmers, Gothenburg in Sweden. My architectural master thesis was about user participation in the design process. You can read an abstract about my thesis below.


ABSTRACT

Participatory Design
- examples of design tools for architects in dialogue with users.

In the beginning of the 1970´s the Swedish architect and professor, Johannes Olivgren described new methods of working with the users in the design process.

The aim with this master thesis was to explore the question of user participation in the design process and investigate some alternative ways to further the dialogue with customers.

Information was collected through a review of literature, reading about different projects and interviews with architects as well as users. A summary of the findings are presented and further discussed in the coming chapters.

In a workshop with the theme "My dream House", I observed how engaged participants through pictures and dialogue were able to communicate their needs and visions. Workshops are discussed in this thesis as a design tool to engage the users in the design process. I want to make architects consider the users as a valuable source of information to create a better and sustainable project.

In conclusion, this thesis gives examples of ways to share knowledge and information through a more interactive participatory design process, which may take more time and energy, but leads the way for a more sustainable end-result, and improved customer satisfaction.

To read more about my thesis, feel free to contact me!


Pictures from the workshop about "My dream house", January, 2009