Rethinking Participation.
How can future residents be more involved in shaping their own homes?
This was the core question of my graduation research at Hanze University of Applied Sciences with Marc Koehler Architects.
The study explored how participatory models such as CPO, MO, and housing cooperatives are reshaping the relationship between citizen and architect in the Netherlands. Alongside interviews, case studies and process analysis, I developed the Zelfbouw Staalkaart, a comparative visual map of participation strategies. It oulines the degrees of co-creation, financial risk, group dynamics and architectural influence across different formats, using real-world housing projects as references.
This research invites reflection on how we might design with people, not just for them, aiming for a more democratic and responsive built environment.
