Retrofitting the existing social housing stock provides an opportunity to help solve housing deficits. However, retrofit projects are complex and difficult to manage, often leading to poor value generation, especially due to limited consideration of user needs in the process. Although retrofit can offer positive health benefits for users, they often lack to perceive these benefits due to limited user requirements capture and conflicting interests among retrofit stakeholders. The PAS 2035 guidance for user engagement is acknowledged but there is no explicit guidance on user engagement during the retrofit design process. Different process models have been developed to support user requirements in complex construction. However, an effective model for requirement capture targeted at users in social housing retrofit has been non-existent. This led to the research need for better understanding of value generation through requirement capture process in social housing retrofit projects. To develop such understanding, social housing retrofit barriers, user value generation, requirement capture through process models and value achieving strategy literature have been revised and synthesised. This key research aim is to develop a user requirement capture process model for the design process of social housing retrofits. The investigation explored the challenges in social housing retrofit, developed the requirement capture process model in social housing retrofit with the support of BIM-based tools and evaluated the process model to check its applicability to resolve conflicting needs in the retrofit process. Design science research is the methodological approach adopted in the investigation, aiming to develop a solution artefact as the novel contribution. The investigation included two empirical studies, with the data collection conducted through a larger research team collaboration. For this research, the data is analysed through the requirements capture lens in the context of UK social housing retrofit projects. Multiple research techniques such as interviews, observations, meetings, site visits, value cards and BIM supported tool for aiding visualisation has been deployed in the investigation. As a result, a better understanding of user engagement in real life settings was achieved through a detailed deployment of engagement strategies, tools, and process. The key research findings are: the need to consider user requirement capture process model in an integrated manner with PAS 2035 process, targeted to aid ‘engagement advice’ for the social housing retrofit process in the UK, a systematic and structured approach to user requirement capture in the design process with meaningful user participation and enable bottom-up approach, therefore generating user value in the social housing retrofit design context.
| Date of Award | 10 Sept 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Danilo Di Mascio (Main Supervisor) & Patricia Tzortzopoulos (Co-Supervisor) |
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