Description:

Social Computer Interface is a digital design tool that reimagines how communities can participate in shaping the built environment. Too often, public consultation is a tick-box exercise—passive, confusing, and disconnected from real design outcomes. This project set out to change that by asking a bold question: What if anyone could meaningfully influence the design of public architecture through a simple, engaging interface?

Developed as both a research project and a fully functioning app, Social Computer Interface offers a new approach to participatory design—one that meets people where they are, using the tools they already understand. The app transforms what is traditionally a dry, bureaucratic survey into an interactive design experience. Users respond to questions that reveal their values around design expression, sustainability, and community impact. As they answer, they receive real-time feedback through an intuitive point system and dynamic visual indicators that help them understand how their choices affect a building’s design direction.

This process culminates in a personalised result: a “Design Persona” that reflects the user’s preferences, a radar chart showing how they prioritised key values, and an interactive 3D model of a public building that aligns with their design profile. The outcome is not just data—it’s a reflection of public priorities, translated into architectural potential.

The development of this tool was informed by extensive research into community engagement methods, interface design, and emerging participatory practices. Drawing on both theoretical frameworks and prior projects conducted within the VR lab, the approach blends research-for-design with iterative, research-through-design methodology. Prototypes were developed, tested, and refined using industry-standard tools such as Figma and Swift, resulting in a polished, scalable product ready for real-world deployment.

Importantly, this tool is not speculative. It’s been built, connected to a real-time database, and tested as a complete system. It’s ready to plug into community engagement processes today—whether for libraries, civic centres, or future-forward developments seeking to genuinely reflect the voices of those they serve.

The impact of Social Computer Interface lies in its scalability and adaptability. While it was developed around a specific design brief, the structure of the tool is flexible enough to be applied across a wide range of projects. It elevates community input from an afterthought to a design driver—empowering people to become co-authors of the spaces they inhabit.

Celebrated within its academic setting and recognised for its innovative execution, this project offers a new model for public participation in architecture. By turning abstract opinions into tangible design outcomes, Social Computer Interface shows how digital tools can bridge the gap between professional expertise and everyday insight.