CORE CONCEPTS

Many forces influence design decisions (economic considerations, user
needs, preferred aesthetic forms, etc.), but an assortment of research tools are
available to guide designers toward optimal solutions. Research tools mentioned
in this text can be used at one or several points in the same development
cycle.
Designing a space is complicated, and the influence of the ultimate design
on human experience is complex. Proper use of research tools can unravel the
current situation and inform the design of a future space that is most likely to
be successful, however success is defined. Research has to happen because
as a designer you need to learn what people need to accomplish in the place
being developed and what would make them feel comfortable as they go about
doing that.
Many of the tools described in this text primarily collect information
on current conditions to guide development of a future space. This assumption
of continuity of use can be problematic, which is why it is important to
make a real effort to gather information about the future of users and their
world.
Different research tools exert different levels of control over the parameters
that can influence study findings (e.g., a survey and observations have
vastly different levels of structure). In a more controlled situation, conclusions
can be more clearly drawn, but those conclusions might not be as rich or useful
as those acquired in less-structured conditions. In general, study findings must
be evaluated using the reasonableness test. Even if a study has been correctly
done, as far as you can determine, if findings seem countersensical, more
investigation is warranted.
Experienced design researchers have learned that the surest way to
alienate a user group is to ask their opinion about something and then seem
to ignore the information they supply. If you collect information that for some
valid reason, such as lack of funds, can’t be recognized in the design of a space
in any manner, it is best to tell the people who have supplied the information
about the reasons that you have decided to follow a different course than the
one that research indicated. This is not so that you can ask the users’ approval,
but to indicate to the users that you respect them and their opinions. As a corollary—
sometimes an aspect of a space is preordained for whatever reason. For
example, a certain layout of the apartments in a multifamily complex might
be dictated by the desire to maximize daylight in the living rooms, the boss’s
spouse might have already determined where the new company headquarters
will be, and so on. In those cases, do not do any research related to these
aspects of the space being developed.
Limited resources may make it difficult to utilize all the potentially useful
research tools and to respond to all of the information collected using those
research tools. In those circumstances, prioritize the use of research and physical
resources based on potential implications on the aspects of the organization
that add most value. In a firm, this might mean ensuring that the research
and development department functions well, even if that means that others
won’t. In a healthcare facility, this might mean that caregiving staff has access
to an outside view in their respite room, even at the expense of a view for waiting
family and friends. It is important to remain impartial as these decisions
are made and throughout the entire research process.
Built environments are developed because they somehow enrich human
experience. One of your research goals should always be to determine how
a developing space can fulfill its mission—which might also require that that
mission be unearthed. As you start to analyze the data collected using one or
several tools, patterns in the data will help you conceptualize that enriching
experience.