Human-centred design 101: here’s what it means for architecture
Posted on: 23 October, 2024
Applying human-centric design principles to our buildings and structures can have a wide range of benefits for both their occupants and the environment.
From air quality and noise pollution to the functional layout of land, transport and accessibility, the built environment has a significant impact on human health and wellbeing.
Because of this, more needs to be done to create residential, industrial and commercial structures that support the needs of individuals and communities. To achieve this, the occupants and end users of infrastructure need to be considered throughout the entire building lifecycle, from planning and design through to construction and operation.
This is where human-centred design comes in.
What is human-centred design (HCD)?
Human-centred design (HCD) is a solution-based framework that puts real people at the centre of each of the design phases of a product’s development and considers the human perspective at every stage.
The idea for HCD is often traced back to a Stanford University design study in 1958, when Professor John E. Arnold first suggested that engineering design should be human-centred.
Today this philosophy is applied to a wide range of areas, from software and healthcare to retail and the built environment.
Human-centred design vs user-centred design
Human-centred design is often conflated with user-centred design – another philosophy focused on ensuring a product or service’s end users are the focus of a design approach. However, there are some key differences between them.
Human-centric design tends to reflect humanity as a whole, while user-centred thinking is more concerned with the specific people most likely to utilise a product or service. As such, the focus of user-centrism is often more specialised than human-centric thinking, which has broader applications.
The 4 core principles of HCD
There are four major principles that are integral to human-centric design.
1. Empathy
Human-centred design begins with empathy for the subject or users. It’s important to gain deeper insights into the experiences, needs, emotions and aspirations of the target audience or individuals. This can be obtained through statistics, interviews, research and observation.
2. Collaboration
HCD also involves collaboration between professional designers, stakeholders, engineers, construction teams, users and any other relevant parties. This team effort brings together different perspectives and expertise to ensure innovative and inclusive solutions that result in the best products being created.
3. Iteration
HCD must be an iterative process to encourage continuous learning and improvement. This involves prototyping, testing, gathering feedback and iterating on designs and refining them until they meet the user’s needs, producing a much more effective and impactful outcome.
4. User involvement/experience
User involvement is the guiding principle of HCD. From the research phase, through iteration and gathering feedback, end users must be involved throughout all of the different design phases. This helps design teams better serve the people they’re creating these products or solutions for.
How does HCD work in architecture?
When it comes to architecture, human-centred design isn’t just a trend – this approach is key to optimising relationships between people and buildings. Through applying these principles, designers can map out structures and projects that are simultaneously practical, ecological and beneficial for society.
The 7 key characteristics of human-centric architecture
There are several characteristics of human-centric projects that make them easy to recognise from afar.
1. The health and wellbeing of inhabitants
The physical and mental wellbeing of residents must be prioritised throughout the design process. This is realised through architectural features like ample natural lighting, good air quality and building comfortable, functional spaces that improve the quality of their daily lives.
2. Universal design and accessibility
It’s also important to ensure that these spaces are designed to be accessible for all people within a community. This promotes inclusion without barriers and means that there’s no need for adaptation or special design due to factors like age, ability or circumstance.
Learn more: Sexism and the city: are buildings and cities sexist?
3. Closeness to nature
Connection with nature is important and incorporating green elements into these designs is key. It’s vital for the inhabitants as it impacts their health, and is also crucial for creating eco-friendly spaces within the built environment.
For example, by including elements like water features, green space and other biophilic design principles, you can enhance the user experience for all.
Learn more: What is biophilic architecture? 15 real-world examples in the built environment
4. Sustainability and eco-friendly designs
Energy-positive and carbon-neutral designs tend to be favoured characteristics of the HCD process. Sustainable materials and green initiatives are also preferred, as these impact the wellbeing of both people and the planet.
5. Social interaction and inclusion
Building spaces that encourage social interaction can help to foster a sense of community. This in turn helps to promote the wellbeing of those in the local area. These spaces should meet the needs of a diverse range of people, becoming yet another inclusive part of our environment.
Learn more: What is urban greening (and how is it creating the cities of the future)?
6. Culture and identity
Human-centric architecture also acknowledges the importance of local culture and identity. These spaces must reflect and respect the unique identities, beliefs and traditions of those who live there.
7. Technological integration
Lastly, incorporating new technologies, such as sensor systems often seen in smart buildings, can enhance the comfort, convenience and energy efficiency of new designs. These tools can also be adapted to meet the changing needs of residents in real-time.
Learn more: Smart buildings, explained – here’s what they mean for the built environment
Why human-centric architectural design matters
In a world increasingly automated and reliant on technology, human-centric design thinking is more important than ever. It helps to create a world where humans can thrive in a comfortable and sustainable environment.
By putting humans at the centre of the process, human-centric design methods can also increase positive interactions between humans and the built environment, creating a number of key benefits:
- Engaging humans in the design process increases the chances of creating spaces they will enjoy long into the future
- Encouraging more innovative and creative infrastructures and buildings
- Promoting a more connected community, centred around key facilities and developments like parks, swimming pools and community centres
- Incorporating more of a focus on sustainability, making this better for both social and environmental outcomes
- Boosting the wellbeing of residents in these areas
Learn more: Making a business case for sustainability: why now is the time to act
Finally, an increase in productivity can lead to a higher GDP. In fact, a recent study found that creating the right living and working environment through HCD can have a positive impact on productivity and contribute up to £20 billion to UK GDP.
4 examples of human-centric architectural design
Here are several examples of human-centric design projects and architecture from around the globe:
The Lantern, assisted living in Ohio
The Lantern is an assisted living community in Ohio designed to serve senior citizens suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. The architects designed the neighbourhood to reflect that of the 1930s and 1940s because that was when many of the residents grew up. The community is complete with porches, rocking chairs and grass-like carpets.
Villa Verde, incremental housing in Chile
Villa Verde is a participatory design of incremental housing in Chile. It was designed as an incremental housing model for middle-class families. As these families can’t afford a finished house, these were intended to come with all the basic amenities they needed, and to allow for them to buy and build the remaining parts as and when they can afford them.
These properties are not just more affordable, but also offer a unique twist and a one-of-a-kind home to every family.
Kamanar Secondary School in Senegal
Kamanar Secondary School in Senegal is made up of a grid of classroom pods that have been organised around pre-existing tree canopies. This is to promote flora on the campus and to use the shade as a way of creating comfortable social spaces that serve the students and teachers.
Miasteczko Wilanow in Warsaw
Miasteczko Wilanow in Warsaw is a 450-hectare housing development that holds 10,000 people per square kilometre. However, despite the high density, this development still has its people and their wellbeing at its heart.
Natural features are weaved throughout, including green belts and water features. On top of this, everything the community needs is within walking distance to remove the need for too many cars or the reliance on public transport.
Final thoughts
By putting people at the centre of architectural design, the built environment can better serve residents long into the future. Adopting this methodology can take into account the needs of groups previously underrepresented in the built environment, from younger generations who want more of a voice to an ageing population with evolving needs. What’s more, these spaces can be made more sustainable and help foster connected communities.
Architectural technologists are the digital experts that bridge the gap between an aesthetic vision and a practical reality. If you want to be at the forefront of the built environment’s digital future, UCEM’s BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology will give you the technical expertise and literacy you need to become a valuable contributor to the sector.
Find out more: BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology – University College of Estate Management
