Transforming Construction Network Plus: ‘Putting people at the heart of future social housing design and manufacture’

By systematically integrating user experience (UX) of home use and energy systems with design parameters, the project addresses user needs and requirements, and puts people at the heart of future social housing design and manufacture.

UX is identified in relation to design parameters and energy systems from the perspectives of existing literature, social housing providers and occupants. These parameters are then consolidated in a practical home design matrix in which people are at the heart of the design process. Finally the design matrix is validated in house design exercises.

The project supports the Transforming Construction Challenge’s objectives by:

- Reducing home energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by incorporating UX in the design process;
- Optimising through-life home performance by understanding how users interact with digitally-enabled smart energy system
- Improving productivity, quality and safety with increased use of UX-informed manufacturing;
- Encouraging new house building projects to use design for manufacturing and assembly approaches and active energy technologies by introducing UX as part of the design process;
- Increasing the productivity of house building in terms of effectiveness of the design by addressing UX;
- Improving the whole-life value and safety of built assets by enhancing UX and thereby user performance, including carbon intensity eduction.

By systematically integrating user experience (UX) of home use and energy systems with design parameters, the project addresses user needs and requirements, and puts people at the heart of future social housing design and manufacture.