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EVIDENCE-BASED OPTION APPRAISAL

FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

AIDING ARCHITECTS AND DEVELOPERS

TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES

March 2019

bethany.penman@hotmail.co.uk

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PROBLEM STATEMENT

As architects it is hard to incorporate the views of end user occupants in the design process. We design spaces that make sense to us, but they do not necessarily reflect occupants’ needs.

How do we make the end user occupant a stakeholder that is considered throughout the design process?

How do we evaluate numerous design options to ensure they suit end users?

How do we reduce subjectivity, biases and “internal politics“ in the design process?

How do we make the design process based more on facts and science than subjectivity and intuition?

How do we help “time limited” architects to achieve the best outcomes for end users?

How do we ensure we consider as many options for spatial arrangements as possible, creating the best possible environments for end users?

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An evidence-based platform for analysis of spatial arrangements using data collected from individuals. Presenting architects with statistics on users’ preferences and needs.

SOLUTION

Collect data

Target and question end users and occupants from different demographic groups.

Use technology and accessible online platforms to gain a large population sample.

Use statistical analysis stemming from our combined understanding of statistics, environmental psychology and architecture to extract meaningful results.

Analyse data

Predictive analytics

Internet Platform

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Machine learning models make predictions based on your uploaded plan layouts. Plan characteristics are analysed and the preferences of end users are predicted.

No installation of software is required. All results are delivered online via a web platform, making it easily accessible and part of the design process / workflow.

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INDIVIDUAL PLAN ANALYSIS

Individual plans are analysed based on the metrics of similar plans that respondents have viewed.

Overall metrics for the whole apartment plan, as well as room specific metrics assist in the understanding of users preferences.

The analysis can be used to support the case that it meets the occupants’ spatial requirements. This allows developers and funders to balance financial pressures alongside societal preferences.

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INDIVIDUAL PLAN ANALYSIS - Explained

1 | Filter - Filters by demographic, location and other characteristics. Assists in providing statistics that are tailored to your occupants’ demographic.

2 | Overall Apartment Metrics - General opinions on the entire layout. Aids in understanding if there are major spatial adjustments that would better suit target occupants.

3 | Room Specific Metrics - Room by room psychological characteristics. Assist in understanding how people feel about the space and what they would prefer. E.g. 54% of respondents feel the proximity of the bathroom to the bedroom is appropriate.

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MULTIPLE PLAN ANALYSIS

In addition to the single design view, our platform allows side by side comparison of multiple plans.

Layouts can be uploaded and basic overall metrics automatically generated. These are easily viewed at a glance.

Compromises between each option are quickly identified, assisting designers in making informed decisions about each plan layout.

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MULTIPLE PLAN ANALYSIS - Explained

1 | Responder Metrics - Displays the number of respondents in the filtered group and their underlying characteristics.

2 | Overall Apartment Metrics - General opinions on the entire plan layout. Aids architects in making decisions about the same space at a glance. Includes characteristics such as how accessible users feel the layout is and how private they consider the arrangement to be.

3 | Suggestions - Respondents’ suggestions for similar apartments e.g. 22% of professionals in London prefer the addition of a study space in their flat.

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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT & FEATURES

Market research |

  • Understand city by city differences e.g. New York, USA vs London, UK
  • Understand how people currently live vs how they would prefer to live
  • Understanding spatial preferences by further demographic characteristics

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Expansion to other spatial typologies |

  • Design of residential developments as a whole (including communal and exterior spaces)
  • Understand neighbourhood preferences (multiple developments)
  • Expand to other building typologies e.g. education and health facilities

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Design Generation |

  • Automatically create designs for spaces based on respondents’ preferences

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FEEDBACK & CONTACT

How can you help us?

We would like to hear from you! We relish honest feedback. Your comments on the initial stages of our development enables us to make the platform tailored to architects’ and developers’ needs. Insights on our platform ensure that we continue to solve pressing issues to the architectural community.

What you get in return?

In return for your feedback, we would like to offer you the chance to be the first to test the Alpha version of our online platform at a discounted rate for your practice.

Get in touch -

Email: bethany.penman@hotmail.co.uk

LinkedIn: bethany-penman

Twitter: @bethanypenman

Bethany Penman | Architect & Researcher

Bethany is passionate about creating spaces that encourage people and activity to thrive. Making spaces work for and with the people that inhabit them. Her interest in the qualities of space are supported by her continued study and research into Environmental Psychology.