Design as Research.
In a world where our lives are constantly measured in metrics, analytics and data we must design for people – not types.
Design permeates every aspect of our daily lives, influencing our thoughts, actions and interactions within various environments.
Effective design not only shapes our surroundings but also inspires and enables individuals to lead enriched lives.
Understanding the nuances of human behaviour, values, and needs is therefore fundamental to creating spaces that truly resonate with occupants.
For design to respond appropriately we need to know exactly who we are designing for.
Design is more than just aesthetics; it’s a strategic tool that influences behaviour, productivity and satisfaction.
Design research within interior design looks closely at how people engage with their environments. This is a a process that employs critical skills such as listening, observation, and empathy to comprehend the intricate dynamics of human-spatial relationships.
The goal of design research is to generate an in-depth understanding of human centred experiences – and needs.
Through qualitative and environmental inquiry unique insights emerge, leading to well-defined research strategies and more effective design solutions.
The Essence of Home
Our home is the centre of our life.
As a lived-in space it is continually changing. Understanding and embracing this evolution is at the heart of thoughtful design.
Theoretical Considerations of “Home”
From an academic perspective, “Home” is not merely a physical structure. It is a dynamic construct embodying notions of identity, belonging, and agency.
Research on home spaces examines their role in reflecting and shaping personal and collective narratives. As a lived and symbolic construct, home is central to the study of human spatiality. It serves as a microcosm for exploring broader socio-
cultural, political, and economic themes.
Design: Investigating the Lived Experience
Design is an intrinsic component of human experience, influencing cognitive, emotional, and behavioural responses to our environments. As a multidisciplinary field, design bridges aesthetics, functionality, and social relevance to shape the physical and symbolic landscapes in which we live.
Effective design not only organises and structures spaces but also catalyses well-being, creativity, and innovation.
Design research integrates methodologies such as ethnography, phenomenology, and spatial analysis to interrogate human engagement with built and natural environments.
These frameworks enable both scholars and practitioners to uncover the latent complexities within environments and translate findings into impactful design strategies.
By prioritising qualitative and environmental inquiry, academic research in design generates evidence-based practices that emphasise human-centric outcomes.
Personal Narratives as Analytical Frameworks
The narrative in design research underscores the importance of personal stories as methodological tools.
Anyone At Home, places the emphasis on individual narratives within lived spaces. As such, it provides a unique lens for analysing the intersection of personal identity and environmental context. These personal narratives are situated within temporal, spatial and socio-political frameworks, offering insights into how lived experiences are constructed and negotiated over time.
This is a qualitative and environmental enquiry. It highlights data that is unique and that is shared. This leads to the formulation of deeper design questions and ultimately to a better understanding of the process of design problem-solving.
Anyone At Home showcases stories of everyday lives in everyday spaces, emphasizing the individuality of each experience.
Each case study reflects how domestic environments serve as both expressions and agents of cultural, economic, and technological change. This approach aligns with scholarly efforts to document and analyse the evolving nature of home spaces. It contributes to broader discussions on how environments support, shape or constrain individual and collective agency.
Each story serves as a reminder that as our own narratives unfold, our living spaces continually adapt to reflect our journey. It is a moment in time. And so, whatever people say, value and experience today, may be very different tomorrow.
These are authentic, unique and personal stories.
By documenting and analysing the lived experiences of everyday individuals, ‘Anyone At Home’ fosters a dialogue between design practice and academic inquiry.
The platform invites researchers, practitioners, and students to engage with these narratives as a resource for advancing design theory and practice. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, it seeks to inspire environments that are not only aesthetically compelling but also profoundly human in their intent and impact.
Let’s not forget…Any one of these stories could become my/your/our story.
None of these respondents see themselves as special. And yet their story is absolutely unique – as is the space that is their home.
Here, there are stories of inspiration and fortitude- but mostly of the everyday. ‘Home’ may be a place many people take for granted, but when they asked to speak about they reveal so much more.
It is reassuring to know how it is for other people.
We can learn from their experiences. Inevitably, our values will change and so some things that matter to us now, very soon, may not.
By documenting and analysing the lived experiences of everyday individuals, Anyone At Home fosters a dialogue between design practice and academic inquiry.
It is a resource for advancing design theory and practice. The platform invites researchers, practitioners, and students to engage with these narratives. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, it seeks to inspire environments that are designed to be profoundly human in their intent and impact.
So, whether you are in business… technology..or working in health. An artist, anthropologist, designer, sociologist or scientist. Or someone who is just interested in people…..