User Research
Northwestern University’s engineering school prides itself on its user-centered design approach; that design must be functional, beautiful, sustainable, and innovative. Our user research aimed to understand how to make a home that is all of those things for a Baby Boomer, empty nester couple looking to age in place in Evanston, while staying within the constraints of the Solar Decathlon competition rules.
Sep 2015 - Dec 2016 · 10 minute read
20% of Evanston residents are baby boomers, and 90% of baby boomers want to age in place.
However, only 1% of the US housing market, as of 2016, is suitable for aging in place.
We talked to users to learn more.
We conducted interviews and home observations with 16 members of our target demographic: Evanston Baby Boomers looking to downsize and age in place. We aimed to understand user interaction with their homes, and how their home influenced their lifestyles.
Additionally, we guided weekly focus groups with users at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Evanston to discuss users’ concerns around sustainability and aging in place.
Users didn’t want a house. They wanted a home.
When talking to users about aging in place, they were scared of going to a retirement home, because to them it meant losing their space and independence. Their homes played a large role in their lifestyles. It was a place for them to pursue hobbies, host friends and family, and to reflect on their lives. Users made it clear that if they were to downsize to a home to live the rest of their lives, it would have to allow them to retain their independence and “feel like a home.”
“Some houses are beautiful, but aren’t made for people.”
— Barbara Horowitz
“I’m not ready to give up my space and independence.”
— Carol Van der Wilt
“I love my house. My memories are here. They are a comfort.”
— Mary Ann Karris
Data Analysis
Data coding is a process of turning qualitative data into quantitative data. We extracted and categorized observations, quotes, and key insights. We then summed each category to determine the largest. The larger the category, the more important. Surprisingly large categories were investigated in case they were too broad or general, and needed to be broken up.
As we progressed, we found that there were two types of categories:
Themes
Nouns
Meet Michael and Lisa.
Michael and Lisa are our resulting user personas. Michael is 55 and Lisa is 53. They currently work and plan to retire in 10 to 15 years. Michael and Lisa lead active lifestyles; they like to exercise and learn new hobbies like gardening. They also like to attend community events and support local businesses.
Both kids moved out of the beautiful and historical home in Evanston. Michael and Lisa frequently pay for repairs on their home’s aging roof, plumbing, and electrical, on top of the rising property taxes. Going to a retirement home is not an option in their minds. And with only 2 people living in the 5-bed, 3-bathroom house, Michael and Lisa are considering downsizing to a smaller home in North Shore Chicago to live the rest of their lives together.
Michael
Works at a banking firm in Chicago and commutes downtown every day. Loves to golf, cook, and work on projects in the garage.
Needs:
Comfortable living space to relax after work
Natural light and materials
Space to work on carpentry projects
Nice kitchen to cook in
Storage space for his golf clubs
Private space to relax
Space to host friends and family
Concerns:
Wants home to be friendly for aging in place, but doesn’t want to feel like a hospital patient in his own home
Downsizing might mean not enough space for hosting friends and family
Downsizing means a smaller kitchen; will there be enough storage?
Solar panels are ugly. Do they even work?
Lisa
Writes technical articles for an engineering magazine and works from home mostly. Loves reading, collecting art, and gardening.
Needs:
Comfortable space to work from home
Natural light and materials
Outdoor space for gardening
Place to nap during the day
Places to hang artwork
Private space to relax
Space to host friends and family
Concerns:
Falling hazards like rugs and stairs as they age in place
Sharp corners can become dangerous as eyesight declines
Downsizing might mean no separate space to relax
Downsizing might mean less places to hang artwork
Are there sustainable finishes that look expensive and beautiful?
