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5 Ways to Design for User Experience in Architecture

Modern Home Style Contemporary Design Family home Architect in Lagos Nigeria (2)

Spatial experience often relies on the perception of those who interact with spaces. There are several factors that determine the type of experience people have within various spaces, a major determinant being the purpose for which it was created.

At Chronos Studeos,  we believe Architects get to influence how people perceive and experience spaces, this is often achieved through our combination of structures, angles, colours, textures among a few other elements. It is therefore important that we design with the user in mind – This will affect the choices we make and the direction the design follows. While designing a country home project in Port Harcourt, our objective was to make our client feel at home. One filled with memories of growing up; leading us to developing spaces and elements with a mix of post-colonial and minimalist design styles. The project required a facade upgrade for an existing building alongside the design of a new building. The proposed design would create a focal meeting point for 9 families of an average size of 4. Blending in with the existing building, a new building would include facilities to support modern living. Read the project full details here – Family Country home.

01. The emotional connection

When designing spaces, it is important that we consider how we want people to feel when they step in. This depends on the function of the space – designing various areas of an office for instance will require different moods for various sections of the space. The same consideration goes into designing a residential apartment – The living room has a more upbeat atmosphere when compared to the bedroom which is often characterized by serene and relaxing elements.  Fostering the right emotional connection with every space involves a proper understanding of how the various components would interact to influence the desired atmosphere.

02. The behavioral communication

Do you ever wonder if the right words on the office walls are all an employee needs to get productive? Or if an organized array of repeated directions is enough to prevent users from getting lost within large building structures? Incorporating subtle elements  into designs is one way to encourage relevant actions within certain spaces – it could even be ‘merging the outdoors with the indoors’ to ultimately promote scenic views and such relationships.

03. The functional alignment

The phrase “form follows function” is definitely not a strange concept in design. Knowing the purpose of a thing drives the form and structure which it holds; this makes it easier for users to interact with the space. Designing for functionality means that user experience is at the fore of every selection that has to be made from colours, lighting, shapes, and textures to the arrangement of essential materials needed to facilitate the convenient spatial experience. Whether you are trying to achieve privacy or create a building character, function plays a pivot role for the eventual form.

04. The aesthetic relevance

Beautiful spaces are captivating – art and architecture aren’t so far apart. Creating spaces imbued with delicate artistic features will definitely ignite real appreciation from those who encounter it. Interior design gives the architect an opportunity to create key areas within the space that are solely aimed at making the user affixed by the uniqueness and beauty that the space exhibits while at the same time enabling the user to form an inspired perception about the space and effortlessly experience its dynamic appeal.

05. The zone of comfort

People generally want to feel comfortable in spaces they interact with – there is an underlying need to be convinced that it is safe for them to stay or interact with the environment. Being able to assure users that they can still own their personal space even in a room full of people is one thing that should not be overlooked by the architect. 

The user-centric design encourages an architect to view designs from the user’s perspective. Asking questions that are focused on the comfort, activities, and emotions of the users will give you an insight into making the right selection and combination of design elements. Listen, listen, listen to the client’s or target users’ emotions and what they gravitate towards, thereafter, develop designs to magnify those special feelings.

Let’s hear your views, how can the user experience be influenced by the architect?

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