Merging a practice-orientated approach with an engineering-driven product development: a case study on home improvement Online publication date: Sat, 30-Aug-2014
by Victoria Haines; Val Mitchell; Becky Mallaband
J. of Design Research (JDR), Vol. 10, No. 1/2, 2012
Abstract: CALEBRE, a four year research project, is developing technologies to improve the energy efficiency of solid-walled housing in the UK, particularly in the owner occupied market. The engineering partners within the project require very specific information from user-centred design (UCD) practitioners in order to develop innovative technologies. However the project recognises that it is the 'soft factors' that must be addressed in order to make these measures acceptable and appealing to householders. This requires a deeper understanding of users' motivations for improving their homes and the complex interplay of factors relating to aesthetics, lifestyle, life events, energy efficiency and finance. This paper presents how a practice-orientated UCD approach was taken to inform an engineering-driven product development process. It describes two data collection methods used within CALEBRE specifically to address these challenges and focuses on the specific home improvement practice of replacing windows.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the J. of Design Research (JDR):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook