Developing a diary-interview approach for architectural research: the ­ implementation of spatial aspects

Abstract

The diary-interview method is a qualitative research design that integrates diaries and interviews to capture the dynamics of individuals’ day-to-day lives. Given its participatory nature and focus on daily activities, it could be a method of interest for architectural research and practice. Hence, this paper evaluates the application of a spatially informed version of the diary-interview method in a project involving 27 older adults who recently relocated to a private rental dwelling. Both respondent and researcher reflections indicate that, despite being an intensive process, the insights into everyday spatial utilization are unattainable through conventional methodologies. Consequently, the diary- interview method can be valuable for architectural researchers and practitioners wanting to invest time into developing more in-depth understandings of daily human behavior in relationship to the built environment, particularly when studying or designing for the daily needs of specific user groups, such as older adults on the private rental market.