Digital System for effective end-user engagement in higher education building design.

Abstract

Higher education (HE) buildings often experience performance gaps that undermine occupant comfort, health, and overall satisfaction. These gaps are partly attributed to fragmented end-user engagement during the design process and the lack of effective tools and strategies to support such engagement. To address this issue, this study aims to develop a computerised system that enables professionals to effectively engage end-users in HE building design within real-world practice. The study adopts the Design Science Research methodology to develop a practical and implementable solution. The system is grounded in a knowledge-to-action end-user engagement framework derived from three key knowledge domains: the building design process, user engagement principles, and critical design elements. This framework was systematically developed and refined through multiple empirical research phases. The framework was operationalised using MS Access. The resulting computerised system supports several functions, including user requirement acquisition during the pre-design stage and design evaluation during schematic and detailed design stages. It enables the systematic collection and aggregation of feedback from diverse end-user groups and generates consolidated reports that visualise user preferences and satisfaction levels. By providing a structured mechanism for integrating end-users throughout the design process, the system offers a practical roadmap for professionals. This study bridges theory and practice by delivering a holistic computerised system that translates research knowledge into an industry-ready solution to address persistent performance gaps in HE buildings.