Journey mapping

Brief:
As part of a undergraduate architectural project, our goal was to design a housing complex consisting of apartments and row houses to accommodate students from Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology, a well-known design school in India. Given that students were the primary users, it was crucial to design a space that aligned with their lifestyle, habits, and needs.

Task:
To create a user-centric design, it was essential to develop a deep understanding of the students’ daily routines, activities, and spatial requirements. This would allow us to craft a living environment that was not only functional but also fostered creativity and collaboration.

Response:
To gain insights, I conducted interviews with students to map out their typical day and identify key behaviors and preferences. I then performed thematic and narrative analysis on the collected data, which helped in distilling essential patterns and needs. Based on these findings, I developed an illustrated journey map that visually represented their daily experiences and spatial interactions.

Result:
The insights from this research significantly influenced the design process. For instance, it highlighted the need for flexible spaces that could adapt to different activities and underscored the importance of studios and collaborative areas in fostering student engagement. These findings helped shape a housing complex that was not just a place to live but an environment that supported learning, creativity, and community building.