Theoretical foundation for a user role change in the conceptualization stage of the architectural design process

Abstract

In the conceptualization stage of the current architectural design processes, attempts have been made to meet the needs of the users through different research techniques. However, although these techniques have provided a better understanding, they have not enabled architects to completely satisfy such needs. As a consequence, spaces have been conceived that do not fully respond to the development of the user’s activities. This article aims to address the need to position the client as an active element of the design process, eliminating translations and poorly thoughtout approaches, subjective aspects that are difficult for the architect to access through questions or even observations. As a result, from a change of position between both roles (architect-user) within the initial stage of the architectural design process, the client will be able to expose from the inside out what they need in the spaces they are going to inhabit, from information processed and understood by them, so that the characteristics to be considered in the spaces to be projected by the architect can be established.