Operation Meeting Spaces

A smart socialspatial design of a meeting space that encourages interactions between residents.

Operation Meeting Spaces

A smart socialspatial design of a meeting space that encourages interactions between residents.

Project info

Project info

Title: Operation Meeting Spaces
Theme: Social Living
Duration: June 2020 – May 2024
Contact: Masi Mohammadi
Leading partner: Architecture in Health Research Group, HAN University of Applied Sciences

The Living Lab
Talis is collaborating with other involved partners to find housing concepts that align with the newly arising needs of (vulnerable) renters. This is so they can provide more appropriate housing for this growing group and increase the community reliance and vitality of housing communities. . One possibility that Talis wants to explore is encouraging interactions between complex and neighbourhood residents. This may help prevent social isolation among residents and encourage residents to report problems with renters earlier. In practice, the success of meeting spaces varies. Some spaces are heavily used while others are not. Therefore, we are investigating how to use spatial, technological, and social means to promote the use of meeting spaces and the interactions between residents that take place there.

The objective
The goal is to optimize the use of existing meeting spaces to promote contact between residents and use of the spaces, and to develop design guidelines and concepts that Talis can use when (re)developing meeting spaces.

The method
We used literature research to identify the social-spatial factors that can affect a) the use of a meeting space and b) the interaction that takes place between residents in this space. By observing the different meeting spaces of Talis and mapping out the context in which these spaces are located, we were able to determine the extent to which these spaces are suitable and equipped to promote gatherings. Through interviews with residents (users and non-users of meeting spaces), we also identified what motivates or hinders people from using the meeting space and starting a conversation with fellow residents.
In this way, Talis gains more insight into (the potential of) its meeting spaces for facilitating gatherings and the areas that still need to be improved. Based on these points of attention, architects at HAN develop design guidelines for the (re)design of meeting spaces. In co-creation sessions that we organize with residents, these guidelines are converted into design concepts and products for more effective meeting spaces.

The outcome
Thus far, the results have clearly indicated the expectations held within the housing corporation; expectations about meeting spaces, the opportunities to get residents even more involved by actively stimulating gatherings, and the problems that are noticed in everyday practice and that still require attention. It has also been established which spatial, social, and organizational factors may influence the success or failure of meeting spaces. These factors include routing, visibility of the space, suitability of the space for multifunctional use, homeliness, composition and size of the resident group, and the way in which the space is managed.
By assessing the meeting spaces of Talis based on these factors, we now know what the socialspatial potential is of the different communal spaces and where there is room for improvement. These insights have been translated into a first set of design guidelines for effective meeting spaces. In co-creation with residents, these design guidelines have been translated into design concepts for two specific meeting spaces of Talis. The co-creation sessions also led to two products that can help bring about meetings between residents in a meeting space: an interactive table that can assist residents in starting a conversation and a communicating wall that helps residents to express their common identity and promote a sense of ownership of the space.

What is the perspective of the project partner regarding the Living Lab?

Mariëlle Heuvelmans, manager Livability

What has the project yielded thus far?
In the collaboration so far, in addition to (scientific) knowledge about meeting spaces, it has also become clearer what the needs are among renters with regard to meetings and meeting spaces. In co-creation sessions with renters, redesigns of meeting spaces have been presented. Two products have been developed from this, one of which is the conversation-starter-table, which has been tested in the Toermalijn meeting space in June 2022.

What is the added value of the collaboration?
A clear added value is the long-term collaboration between the research group and Talis. Understanding the context in which Talis operates is very important and contributes to research on the use and design of meeting spaces. It has been very helpful for us to clarify the needs of renters. This also contributes to a (different) vision for designing and furnishing buildings. This is an excellent opportunity to bring science to practice.

Researchers

Masi Mohammadi
Professor
HAN – TUe

Nienke Moor
Senior reseacher
HAN

Louis Neven
Senior reseacher
HAN

Ruth Bles
Researcher
HAN

Researchers

Masi Mohammadi
Professor
HAN – TUe

Nienke Moor
Senior reseacher
HAN

Ruth Bles
Researcher
HAN

Sophie Peters
Researcher
HAN