Enacting dialog through an architectural model

Marco, Elena

Abstract

The research focuses on how people use and experience today’s domestic space in relation to accumulated material possessions within an architectural discourse. In order to assess this, a sensory ethnographical research method, using a physical object to facilitate discussion, has been identified in the literature as beneficial (Boehner et al.,2014), as the dialogue created around the model becomes a design intervention that incites and exposes reactions from the participants. This creates a thought-provoking record that can benefit the researcher’s reflection of their own research (Hemmings et al., 2002). However, the architectural model in particular, as such an object, has not yet been tested in this context. This study, therefore, provides a much needed exploration of the effectiveness of the architectural model as a means of implementing a sensory ethnographical research methodology. The model has been used as a catalyst to facilitate a dialogue amongst field experts, in order to create a design intervention event that will capture stimulating material (Hemmings et al., 2002). The dialogue has been recorded and photographed, and written notes were taken by the researcher as participant-observer. The effectiveness of this catalyst has been critically analysed. The findings identify the strengths and weaknesses of the method, and will inform the author’s approach to future research.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: UWE Design Research Symposium 2017
• Start Date: May 1, 2017
• End Date: May 1, 2017
• Acceptance Date: May 4, 2017
• Publication Date: May 4, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/887984
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : UWE Design Research Symposium 2017