Mid Semester Break Week 2 Reflection

Mid Sem Week 1 – Prototyping the Space

Current Project Status: Te Whainga Phase (Digging deeper, researching, exploring tohu)

Date: 9th September 2024

I will use the What? So What? Now What? framework (Rolfe, Freshwater, & Jasper, 2001) to structure my reflection this week.

What?

I conducted user testing of the park layout and captured key findings from this on my miro board (Figure 2). The user testing helped inform a final refined layout map, which I created a 3D model of in the Sims to help validate the user flow and make sure it made sense (Figure 3). This visual representation of the space helped me create a 3D model that showed the topography of the area.

I evaluated the considerations between having a river run through the park or have a long ponded area to simulate what the stream would have been like (Figure 4). Both options are feasible, however may convey different meanings to the final user. Through testing, some said they would understand if there was proper signage around, and others said it may be confusing and better to have no water feature. My final decision came down to overland flow path considerations, as I have wanted my design to be resilient to the effects of climate change since the beginning. If the space can act as a stormwater overflow area then this will help reduce flood risk. 

[Figure 4: River vs Pond Considerations, my Miro board]

So what?

Getting an idea of the space in 3D helped me design the landscape model, and taught me the importance of preparations that go on behind the scenes. I think this extra background work helped make the cardboard space prototyping a lot more streamlined as I had a good point of reference. 

One thing I could have done differently is make more thorough user testing, as I was only able to test on 4 people. I think the results were useful, but there is always a possibility that more user testers would have revealed more things to consider. 

To help me decide on the best course of action with the river element, I looked at underground stormwater services on GeoMaps so see if creating a culver solution would be feasible. With 2 points located close by, this option is something I can consider. Research from Project for Public Spaces (2008) also revealed that having water in urban environments creates positive experiences for people interacting with it. 

In my endevour to utilise more of the tools I had assigned myself, I found that a lot of them are actually only able to be completed in a group or with the Placemaking Aotearoa Kit. Something I could have done differently is deeper research into the process of each tool to understand what would be needed from who throughout the process. I have booked to borrow this kit which will help me gain valuable user insights, and I’m really excited to use all of the cool tools!

[Figure 5: Place Making New Zealand, Placemaking Kit, 2018]

Now What?

I want to research more into the environmental impacts of culverts to understand the pros and cons. Being back in classes next week, I will conduct lots of user testing on the different elements I have been working on during the 2 week mid semester break. This includes the brand identity, the site layout, the signage ideations and seating concepts.

I will pick up the Placemaking Aotearoa Kit next week so that I can begin using the placemaking tools on my classmates/community and gain deeper insights before moving into the Te Whiwhanga phase, which is taking a closer look at the tohu and refining ideas. I will need to consider being mindful of my peers time, as I know everyone will have user testing to complete. I think offering to use the placemaking toolkit for a few peoples projects will help make the process more reciprocal, and help them gain more valuable insights and understanding. 

References:

Auckland Regional Council. (2008). Identifying opportunities for Central Auckland: Concept design (Technical Report TR2008/027). Auckland Regional Council. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e441d2f7e0abde3be51110/t/5d3f8da026916c000186191f/1564446136584/ARC+daylighting+project+and+info.pdf

Place Making New Zealand. (2018). Placemaking Kit [Image]. Place Making New Zealand. https://www.placemaking.nz/placemaking-kit

Project for Public Spaces. (2008). Water features: Placemaking with water. Project for Public Spaces. https://www.pps.org/article/waterfeatures

Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., Jasper, M. (2001). Critical reflection in nursing and the helping professions: a user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.