Personalisation in social housing estates : an analysis of current local perceptions and physical outcomes as a means to inform future residential design

Abstract

Social housing production intended to solve the problem of worldwide housing shortages. Unfortunately, their designs predominantly consisted of standardised housing units, which mainly focused on quantity rather than quality. Moreover, there was little regard to the end-user requirements and their ever-changing needs, thus compelling residents to resort to personalisation of their dwellings. This study is based on the hypothesis that the personalisation of social housing units in Malta has negatively impacted their aesthetic quality. Four local case studies, displaying different amounts of modifications were identified far analysis. The primary objectives were; (i) to establish the nature and extent of modifications carried out; (ii) to evaluate the public's perception of how modifications affect the overall aesthetic quality of the developments; (iii) to develop an expert evaluation investigating how personalisation impacts architectural quality and (iv) to elicit the reasons and motives which have farced residents to personalise their dwellings. Data far analysis was obtained through an online survey, expert evaluations, on-site observations and interviews with residents of social housing and with one of the experts. Results revealed that both the general public and experts perceive personalisation to negatively impact the developments' aesthetic quality. The expert evaluations suggested that architectural quality was inversely proportional to the amount of personalisation undertaken. Residents resorted to personalisation mainly out of functional necessity. The study corroborates with international literature in that enhanced designer-user synergy, improved flexibility and design of housing developments would enhance users' satisfaction and minimise the need far personalisation. The establishment and enforcement of regulations on modifications would better maintain the social and aesthetic qualities of social housing.