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In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.

When life changes, space should too: participatory insights into designing for residential flexibility across life stages

Rana, Vighneshkumar; Singh, Vishal

Type:
Papers
DS 145: Proceedings of the DESIGN2026 19th International Design Conference
Year:
2026
Editor:
Štorga, M.; Škec, S.; Martinec, T.; Marjanović, D.; Pavković, N.
Author:
Rana, Vighneshkumar; Singh, Vishal
Series:
DESIGN
Institution:
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
Page(s):
1081-1090
DOI number:
10.1017/pds.2026.10466
ISSN:
2732-527X (Online)
Abstract:
This study examines how residents perceive and negotiate flexibility in their residential spaces across various life stages through a participatory workshop involving 80 participants. Using modular blocks, participants reconfigured layouts for scenarios such as shared living, marriage, family growth, work, and ageing. Visual and thematic analyses revealed flexibility priorities, trade-offs, and transformation patterns discussed, showing it peaks in early and mid-life and centres on bedrooms and workspaces as a temporal, user-defined phenomenon of adaptable housing.
Keywords:
design for x (DfX), behavioural design, participatory design, human-centred design, life-stage adaptability
DESIGN2026 - The 19th International Design Conference
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