RP3017: Conference Paper: Understanding the value generated by a cocreation approach to the built environment

Cities are increasingly being looked to for strategies to address climate change through fostering low-carbon living. This requires not only technological innovation, but also a program of behaviour change. A recent report by the World Economic Forum suggests that architects and other practitioners in the built environment are uniquely placed to facilitate collaborative co-creation approaches.

While most architects work with end-users to some degree, a co-creation approach requires architects learn new skills to shift their treatment of users from subjects that are designed for, to partners that are designed with. This paper explores this challenge through the lens of practice theory, and highlights some of the tensions between co-creation and consultation, particularly with relation to application and practice.

The preliminary results of a Value Network Analysis are presented as a part of a case study where co-creation was used as a framework to inform the briefing process, generate ideas, and provide feedback on plans during design development phases. The case included a series of co-creation workshops that were a collaboration between the author, Match Studio, and the not-for-profit community services organisation undertaking the construction project, as well as other collaborative methods.

This paper focusses on the transfer of value described by the organisation’s staf (the future end-users of the project) and the architects and other professional consultants. It finds a disparity between the reported value on the two sides of the spectrum, suggesting there may be some unrecognised value exchanges taking place of both positive and negative value. The exploration of these unrecognised value points is then explored through the case study interviews. This approach highlights where architects as co-creation facilitators may be able to better communicate anticipated value during project planning stages to help the program of co-creation activities achieve its intended outcomes. Finally, opportunities for further research are identified, including the use of virtual three-dimensional models in co-creation processes that engage end-users.