This research addresses housing customisation by using digital tools in co-design processes. This paper introduces the development of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that assists the end-users’ interaction with the design process. Although the participation of end users in the design process is considered essential, a communication gap persists between designers and end users, and there is a lack of tools to help inhabitants express their needs and desires. To bridge this gap, this research proposes using digital technologies to enhance end-users participation in the design process of their houses. In this paper, we show the results of the development and evaluation of an interface designed to help inhabitants to co-create their houses. We developed and tested a GUI for a housing co-design system. Interviews with professionals, housing cooperatives, and inhabitants informed the design process, allowing us to define user requirements and design tasks. The interface was tested with low and high-fidelity prototypes, receiving positive feedback from both experts and potential users. Architects were also involved in using the interface to comment on its usefulness for housing co-design. The tool demonstrated the potential to improve end-users’ participation, contributing significantly to participatory processes in collective housing. This research ensures the tool’s effectiveness by directly incorporating user input, aligning the interface with the user’s needs and preferences.

We would like to acknowledge every participant in the interviews and experiences conducted during the research. The manuscript is based on work presented and published at the Interfaces and Human-Computer Interactions (IHCI) International Conference.

• Other Natural Sciences - Natural Sciences
• Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music) - Humanities

This publication is an output of the following project(s):

• Alternative Shaper
• Image and Video Data Analytics
• Impact of Blockchains and Decentralised Ledger Technologies