The Process of Designing Appropriate Smart Homes: Including the User in the Design

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has recently been relocated from an external entity brought into the home, to an internal feature of the domestic environment extending the range of the home beyond the ‘bricks and mortar’. Whilst other European countries such as Germany and Sweden have embraced the technology for its environmental and functional properties, the UK has been slow to adopt smart home technology except as a toy for the rich and famous. A number of research projects have considered the use of smart home technology within a range of social spheres, demonstrating the technology for a wide range of people with differing levels of disabilities and older people whilst developing a software suite that enables people to design smart homes that reflect people’s needs. Smart homes can be useful; enhancing the quality of life for people whose life is limited by their domestic environment. This paper seeks to consider how smart home technology can be incorporated appropriately within the design process, exploring the difficulties in determining the most appropriate type of technology to meet the needs of people. The paper concludes with a set of guidelines to inform future designs within this area.