The impact of architectural design on the user experience in public buildings,
In architecture if you were designing a theatre, you would ask the following questions:
What functions does the building need to perform? How many performers or audience should the theater accommodate?
What type of events will be organized and where will they take place?
How should seating plans be developed so that the audience gets the best view of the stage? What will be an enjoyable experience for the audience?
In contrast, in user experience, when an architect is tasked with designing an experience for a digital product, you will find yourself asking the same questions but in a different context.
For example, how will the product benefit end users? How big a user base should this product reach?
What is considered a good return on investment? Can this be measured in analytics?
The basic similarity in scope of architecture and requirements for digital products is trying to figure out who your design aims to please and what it will take to achieve that goal.
Architectural Design
Architectural design is essentially designing the user experience at the physical and spatial level,
where space is just another medium and buildings and structures are the interfaces and frameworks with which users can interact.
The building is then a tangible copy of the mobile application.
There are certainly crossovers between the two fields that can be exploited,
as there are lessons and techniques from user experience (the relatively new field of design),
Which can be used to change the way we think about architecture, one of the oldest and most traditional forms of design.
Agility and flexibility in design
The conceptual stages of digital product development and engineering are similar,
but the methodology for arriving at the answer differs between the two disciplines.
Architecture follows a waterfall project management style, regardless of the speed of the design and construction phase.
It’s all about jumping through hoops to get to the next stage for the project to move forward.
From conceptual design to resource approval, to compiling construction drawings to obtain building approval,
To obtain engineers’ approval. It’s about moving from one checkpoint to another.
In the world of technology, the project life cycle can vary greatly and many companies are willing to abandon waterfall project management models and implement agile practices instead.
The purpose of the waterfall is to manage the design and construction of project activities in a highly flexible and interactive way.
Usually by defining short delivery cycles (Sprints) so that the team can learn and repeat their mistakes in each subsequent cycle through retrospective sessions and daily stand-up meetings.
The goal is to ship the minimum viable product as quickly as possible and at the lowest project cost with user feedback to guide the product roadmap based on their needs.
Architectural elegance of design
It would basically be like designing and building a house with only the basic functions.
We have become accustomed to the concept of upsizing based on our increasing need for space.
If your home is too small, you can either move to a larger home or renovate your existing home by adding an extension.
Although often extensions are not ideal because your home was not designed to extend.
Imagine that under the agile methodology, a house would be designed with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.
The tenant will live in this home and over time, as the tenant changes and grows into a family,
Comments will be provided that can guide the type of spatial extension it needs.
The architect and builders will then collaborate to figure out how to add these new spaces to meet the family’s needs.
If we put aside the requirements of urban planning and building regulation and all the legal reasons why we should design buildings as they are for a moment,
We must ask the question how will cities or towns be planned in the future?
Can the construction of future spaces be based on direct feedback?
What if cities, towns and spaces were designed so that they could scale as needed based on growing feedback and demographics?
Can’t we simply quickly modify the space to respond to growing demographic demands?
The basic framework of architectural design will then be implemented with the concept that anything can be scaled, buildings,
Public spaces etc. as needed without having to destroy the foundation to start over.
The impact of architectural design on the user experience in public buildings
- A single-destination building serves only one purpose or function, so the experience is not multi-layered. A shopping center that borders a city will be full of life when the stores are open, but once they are closed, the building and surrounding area become dull and isolated.
- Newer architectural trends differ from traditionally followed practices. Multi-layered expertise is the new focus; The building design should feature multiple touchpoints to facilitate interactions and enhance communications.
- If the place is a residential neighborhood located next to a commercial space with cafes, restaurants, and even an art gallery, such a community is diverse and can be used in multiple ways for multiple reasons and thus remains lively and active throughout the day.
Physical experience
One experiences architecture by using and interacting with space.
Public buildings can be physically explored and are therefore often successful.
Meeting social and economic needs
A building is never a stand-alone component of any community.
Therefore, when designing it, the overall appearance and broader needs of the community must be taken into account.
If the design is innovative and thoughtful, architecture strengthens society.
For example, a kindergarten school serving children under 6 years old should be designed in a way that encourages interaction.
It should have additional walkways and ramps instead of stairs to encourage learning.
In addition, it should be set up in such a way that parents can take their children to school instead of sending them via bus.
This will allow parents to interact with other parents, thus leading to a stronger community.
Preserving communities
Building design affects communities and their various elements such as the environment and the public transportation system.
Additionally, it has been prepared using cutting-edge technology; Rainwater falling on the surface is cleaned before being returned to the lake.
The building also encourages collaboration and innovation and contains functional event spaces and laboratories for scientists.
In short, architectural design practices must incorporate the cultural traditions and needs of the people and communities in which they live.
The design must be inclusive, accommodating everyone and facilitating interactions and sustainability to minimize environmental impacts.
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