Finding the Balance Between Design and User Interpretation
"We still feel the ideal commission is one that allows us to do the chair as well as the urban context." - N. John Habraken
As the quote above mentions, design responsibility can be on a sliding scale from very little to more than we initially bargained. Designers should ensure that their designs are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing while also considering the cultural, social, and economic contexts of the communities in which they are built. This feat requires a deep understanding of the local context and a willingness to work collaboratively with the people using the buildings.
The question of how much/little to design and how much/little is left for user interpretation is difficult. On the one hand, designers need to ensure that their designs meet specific standards of safety and functionality. On the other hand, they also need to leave room for the creativity and flexibility of the people using the buildings. One possible solution is to involve users in the design process through participatory or design-build methods. These tactics help ensure that the designs meet the needs of the people using them while also allowing for a degree of user interpretation and customization. Ultimately, finding the right balance between design responsibility and user interpretation requires a nuanced understanding of the specific context in which the buildings are being built, as well as a commitment to working collaboratively with the communities that will be using them.
As you mentioned, there is a blurry line between the level of detail where the architect should stop and where the people actually using the building should begin. This can be defined more easily through the integration of those users during the design process. This idea reminds me a lot of the Biker Wall. It's a large scale living complex that integrates the users into the design process, effectively allowing them to design their own living space. This allowed the architect to almost stand as the mediator of the design rather than the actual designer of these spaces. They clearly took their role and level of detail they would provide and allowed the rest to be interpreted by the user.
ReplyDeleteI agree Kat! I have been struggling with this idea of how much is too much design and too little when it comes to users creating their own space. What I have found interesting about firms and how much they involve clients is how different every office is. The first office I worked at I did a lot of the modeling work and attended no design meetings. In the office I work for now, I do a lot of the modeling, but I also attend almost all meetings referring to the project. Not only does this help me understand the technical side of the design, but it makes me want to do a good job because I know the client and I can see their passion behind the project. There is so much good in collaboration in design with clients. We do not know all.
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