Šimon Knettig’s Post

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Architect | CZ2 co-founder Working on the exciting future(s) of CZ

Farewell Uni!🎓 Back to the Future ➡️ Just a few weeks ago, I happily completed my studies at Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft, marking the end of an incredible chapter. My journey took me from studying architecture in Prague to an Erasmus in Delft, falling in love with the place, and eventually finishing my degree there. Now, I'm even more excited about what lies ahead! Firstly, however, let me share with you what I worked on over the past year under the great mentorship of Roberto Cavallo, Stefan van der Spek, Piero Medici, and externally Michaela Hráčková Pyšňáková—thank you all for your guidance: 📝 Back to the User: Shaping the user experience of architecture through evidence-based design📝   My thesis, titled "Back to the User", addressed a critical issue in contemporary architectural practice: the dissociation from the user. In the software industry, 10% to 40% of a project’s budget is allocated to "User Experience (UX) Research" (comparably to less than 1% in the Built environment), which focuses on assessing and fulfilling users’ needs and experiences throughout the entire design process. This investment not only doubles sales but also nearly triples user satisfaction. Despite its proven value, UX Research is significantly underrepresented in architecture, and in my work I explored how to better integrate and utilize UX Research in architectural practice, proposing a new methodology. Architects may talk closely with clients, but not with users. Additionally, most UX Research involves 1:1 prototype testing with users to ensure that the design meets its intended benefits. In architecture, "prototyping" usually consists of 2D plans, visualizations, or scaled models, which are often not comprehensible, accurate, or immersive enough. While constructing a full 1:1 prototype is possible, it is not economically, spatially, or sustainably feasible for large projects—or is it?   With the rise of Virtual Reality (VR), we can now test virtually unlimited 1:1 designs, leading to more objective, evidence-based conclusions. During the thesis process, I explored with multiple participants a new approach of qualitative sessions using VR, where multiple design variations are tested and rated by users based on their satisfaction levels. The data collected informs design decisions, resulting in a final proposal that, in this case, addressed the challenges of post-Soviet, concrete-prefab panel construction in the "Jižní Město" district of Prague, Czech Republic. This "Back to the User" methodology, is in fact a practice’s step "Back to the Future".   🤝 Invitation to Connect 🤝 I'm eager to connect with those interested in this area. Let's collaborate on projects or startups! Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout my studies. Excited for what's next!   #BKTUDelft #UniversityGraduation #BackToTheUser #UXResearch #VR #UXDesign #Thesis #Innovation #Collaboration #StartupIdeas

Gideon Maasland

Director | Architect at MVRDV

4mo

Congratulations Simon!

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Jacek Czudak

CEO & Founder at Jacus Design, MSc in Computational and Advanced Design, MSc in Architecture

4mo

Congrats Šimon 🍾 and best of luck!🤞🏻

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Karel Goláň

Managing Partner at crea-tura studio with expertise in Sustainable Architecture and Circular Economy

4mo

Love it and congratz!

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Jitka Vrtalova

Sustainability | ESG | Marketing | Project Management

4mo

Good luck, Šimon!

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Congratulations, Simone! 🎓

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Kongming Ren

Msc graduate at TU Delft | Sustainable Energy Technology

4mo

Congratulations, Simon~

Wendy Wuyts

Chief Research Officer @Omtre | writer | social impact investor and researcher | Wood Reuse Solutions | EU grant applications | Work Package leader in RAW project (EIC Pathfinder)

3mo
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