Dataset for "Participatory Design in Refugee Camps: Comparison of Different Methods and Visualisation Tools"

Data collection method:

Four series of workshops were conducted to evaluate the use of traditional and contemporary methods as viable tools for capturing user values and requirements for shelters. These workshops can be categorised under two approaches: a. The first approach termed ‘Design your Own’ focused on giving participants a ‘blank canvas’ – in the form of paper, pens and pencils, plasticine, Lego® and a kit-of-parts. Participants were asked to use any of these mediums to conceptualise and articulate their ‘ideal’ shelter. This first workshop approach was one step further than asking the refugees a series of standard questions in order to capture their shelter needs and requirements and can be used at the early design stages. b. The second approach is termed ‘Adapt a Design’ and it utilised four pre-designed shelter typologies (deployable, modular, assemblage and freeform) presented in three ways: b1. Computer-produced architectural drawings and models in 2D and 3D shown on A2 paper and/or projected on screen (ACM); b2. Physical models or prototypes (PP); and b3. Virtual reality (VR). This approach can be implemented after an initial design has been developed by the humanitarian agencies to gain feedback on the proposed design. The evaluation was based on three activities; design assessment, design modification & method assessment. 161 refugees participated in these workshops. At the end of 'adapt a design' workshops, participants were asked to evaluate the visualisation tool used. This data set provides the participants background and responses on the evaluation sheets.