Abstract
The design of a building can facilitate the process of use and promote the well-being of its users if it meets their needs. Knowledge of the needs of users and the process of use seems important for a good design. However, it is not self-evident what these user needs really are, how user needs and processes of use can be researched, and how that knowledge can be used to improve a design. This book introduces a theory-based method for the analysis of user needs and processes of use, and for the application of the results in programs for building design and in building management. The first chapter contains an introduction to this topic. It discusses the context and the reasons why it needs (more) attention. After this, the purpose and structure of the book are explained.
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Notes
- 1.
The name is derived from the original purpose of the method to perform user needs analyses. Later, drawing up of programs of demands and carrying out post occupancy evaluations were added. The name has not been changed because the conceptualization of user needs remained a distinguishing feature which also determines the view on interaction (see Chap. 3).
- 2.
In most cases, if the terms ‘building’ and ‘location’ (in a building) are used in this book, they can be replaced by ‘object’ or ‘part’ (of an object).
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Heijs, W. (2022). Introduction. In: User needs by Systematic Elaboration (USE). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-02052-0_1
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