Co-designers' Interaction: A Network Based Approach

Problem statement: Architectural co-design has been facilitated through the development of digitalism. This has shifted to a new paradigm which has evolved the understanding of design process. As a result, design process has been changed in both technical and philosophical aspects and co-design, consequently, has acknowledged The Other in the design process. Accordingly, design is formed by interaction of at least two simultaneous networks. Research objectives: This paper aims to focus on design as a socio-technical process by analyzing dimensions of actors, quality of network dialogue and the process of network in co-design. Research methods: The Actor-Network Theory is applied to study the actors of co-design process. The quality of network dialogues is examined by analyzing texts and different types of networks and their impact on design process are determined by comparing two co-design cases. Thus, the paper is using a qualitative approach to redefine each node in the design process. Conclusion: Different actors, human and non-human ones, shape the overall interactions of co-designers. Using network approach as a theoretical base for this interaction, revealedorstd four main elements in the design process: acceptability of The Other, criticism-tolerance, sharing personality, and collective intentionality. On the other hand, results from the two co-design case studies demonstrated insights on socio-technical approach of design and its impacts on other co-designer's network relationship.