Housing the future 

Challenge: How should we [Familjebostäder] build new flats/buildings in order to meet demands of future tenants? 
Challenge Giver: Familjebostäder
Solution: StockHomer
Concept:  A playful online tool that gives tenants a platform to unleash their ideas about housing and to show how various spaces could meet their particular needs.
Challenge Area: Sustainable city development

Abstract

This project report traces the progression from the stage where Challenges for Emerging Cities was merely a course name, to StockHomer, the solution we ended up designing to improve the conditions for future housing in Stockholm. Through Openlab, Familjebostäder challenged us to find out how to build new apartments to meet the needs and desires of their future tenants. We approached the challenge using a variety of tools within the design thinking method. This helped us seeing the elephant in the room: we were searching for particular needs of future tenants renting a hypothesized apartment. So, we found a more tangible angle: how can real tenants convey their actual needs and desires to the companies that provide their housing? StockHomer is a playful online tool that gives tenants a platform to unleash their ideas about housing and to show, rather than tell, how various spaces could meet their particular needs. This game is not merely play, it provides a way for curious housing companies to, literally, see their tenants’ wants, needs and desires, and make informed decisions about current and future housing developments.