Brief: Design a way for people to experience The Hoffmann Centre collections.
Team: Eric, Giada, Luchen, Binru
Background
In this project, our group needed to design a new way of experiencing the Hoffmann Centre’s online library, with guidance from Applied Works Studio (AW Studio). We should give current audiences and potential users of the Hoffmann Centre a better experience and understanding of the collections in the online library.
The Hoffmann Centre is a scientific organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable development in society, conducting experiments and research focusing on Resource development, Land use and New materials.
Research methods
After the first meeting with AW Studio, our group had a general overview of the project. In the first week, we were prepared to start our research work and identify design opportunities. We used a “Literature review”, “Storytelling”, and “Observation” method to complete the works in the week.
Research phase
Firstly, our group need to choose one of the four research areas for the project, and our group chose “Healthy Build Environments”. To get an insight into the online library’s recent experience, we went into the Hoffmann Centre’s online library to experience it.
We read several articles within the online library not only about the healthy built environment but also analysed the content and the way in which the online articles were presented. Through reading, we found some essential elements of the “healthy built environment”:
1. Low carbon materials and recycle building materials.
2. The data of the various actor in the built environment system.
At the same time, we did some analysis and user research on the reading experience. We invited some of our classmates and family members to read the articles in the online library and then collected their feedback. After summarising, we found that they think the data in the article is difficult to understand and have to build the model in their brains to find the connections between the data.
Also, each member of our group explored their current living environment and the surrounding community. We have identified some issues that need to be improved in each of the living areas through our observations. For example, I live near the train station, and I can hear the trains’ noise every day.
Plans for next week
Through reading the literature and observation, we have identified a few problems with online library’s experience and some of the current issues with human habitats. Next week, we plan to identify our target users and find out their pain points. We will also continue to research deeper into healthy built environments and develop a standard on healthy built environments based on our research.
Project feedback & Reflection
Our tutors and classmates agreed that we had done a very detailed job of research. According to the feedback, our group felt that we needed to deepen our understanding of a ‘healthy built environment’. For example, to research how people understand the concept of a ‘healthy built environment’. Through this research, we could find out the design opportunities that exist.
Reference
Sherman, S. and Throp, H. (2020) New Horizons for Sustainable and Healthy Built Environments. Available at: https://hoffmanncentre.chathamhouse.org/article/new-horizons-for-sustainable-and-healthy-built-environments/ (Accessed: 14 April 2021).
Hoffmann Centre (2020) New horizons for low carbon built environments: Investigating implications. Available at: https://hoffmanncentre.chathamhouse.org/events/2020/5/new-horizons-for-low-carbon-built-environments-investigating-implications/ (Accessed: 14 April 2021).
Hoffmann Centre (2020) New horizons for low carbon built environments: The exploratory phase. Available at: https://hoffmanncentre.chathamhouse.org/events/2020/5/new-horizons-for-low-carbon-built-environments-the-exploratory-phase/ (Accessed: 14 April 2021).
Hoffmann Centre (2020) Material Transitions: Working with nature for built environments. Available at: https://hoffmanncentre.chathamhouse.org/events/2020/12/material-transitions-working-with-nature-for-built-environments-2/ (Accessed: 14 April 2021).
