Characteristics of User Redesign Process: A Study of Changes Made by Users in Architect-Designed Housing
Housing is dynamic. It changes with time. A sample of 60 houses in the Shagari Low Cost housing scheme in Kaura Namoda was studied in order to find out the characteristics of changes made by the users. Physical observations and questionnaires were used as the major instruments of data collection. The results show that 91% of occupants have made various changes to the original designs without the help of professional designers, and some of the changes have completely transformed the outlook of the houses in locational planning, materials and form. This implies that a post architectural design phase exists, suggesting that the design process can be divided into two phases; the initial design by the architect and the subsequent redesign by the user. The paper presents preliminary findings on the general characteristics of user redesign and concludes that a clear process can be established. The architectural design process can, therefore, be expanded to include the user redesign process in order to reflect the entire lifespan of the building.