Optimizing design thinking process for group housing through interaction design methods

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47818/DRArch.2025.v6i2166

Keywords:

interaction design, design thinking, group housing, user-centered design, spatial innovation

Abstract

This research paper investigates the optimization of the Design Thinking (DT) process for group housing projects by using Interaction Design (IxD) methods. Group housing design is increasingly complicated as it attempts to balance individual requirements, community behavior, and sustainability. Through the integration of Design Thinking principles—empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. This article proposes a hybrid approach that combines Interaction Design (IxD) methods, including empathy mapping, interactive prototyping, and real-time feedback systems, to optimize DT's phases (empathize, ideate, prototype, test) in group housing. Through a series of case studies, the research shows how IxD's focus on dynamic user interactions and iterative co-design increases participatory outcomes. Key outcomes are a 30% increase in resident satisfaction with communal spaces, a 25% decrease in design iteration cycles, and enhanced conflict resolution in shared spaces through means such as behavioral analytics and VR-based spatial simulations. The framework not only closes gaps in DT's usage but also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing architects and interaction designers to co-create flexible, user-oriented living spaces. Practical considerations for large-scale housing solutions are debated, including limitations to cultural responsiveness and resources needed. Recommendations are provided to bring digital-physical feedback tools into policy and practice at the end of the study, which is a path for future work across different socio-spatial environments.

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Author Biographies

  • Samantha Kumar Tadiboina, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

    Tadiboina Samantha Kumar is a doctoral research scholar and assistant professor in Department of Architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad, and a Master’s in Environmental Architecture from the Anna University, Chennai. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh, before pursuing his PhD. His current research focuses on optimizing the design thinking process for group housing through interaction design methods, with a broader interest in participatory design, sustainable housing models, and community engagement practices. He has contributed to design innovation projects, user-centered housing studies, and government-supported design research initiatives, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach towards housing design and policy development.

  • Ramesh Srikonda, School of Planning and Architecture

    Prof. Dr. Ramesh Srikonda is a senior academic and administrator currently serving as the Director and Professor at the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. He has over 25 years of professional experience in urban planning, housing design, and architectural education. His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s in Architecture and Master’s degree in Planning and PhD from IIT Delhi. Prof. Srikonda has guided several doctoral scholars, authored research papers on affordable housing, sustainable urban development, and design pedagogy, and actively contributes to policy discussions on housing resilience and inclusivity. His research interests include community-driven housing strategies, participatory planning, and application of design thinking in large-scale housing developments.

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Published

2025-08-30

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Samantha Kumar Tadiboina, Ramesh Srikonda

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Optimizing design thinking process for group housing through interaction design methods. (2025). Journal of Design for Resilience in Architecture and Planning, 6(2), 239-251. https://doi.org/10.47818/DRArch.2025.v6i2166