Interactive generative system supporting participatory house design

This paper deals with the issue of supporting the participation of non-expert users in the house design process with the use of digital tools. The research aimed to verify the feasibility of an interactive generative system verifying and guaranteeing design solutions' correctness. A computer tool, HOPLA-Home Planner, was developed, and its usability was tested with non-experts. This research revealed a demand from non-expert users for an interactive generative system allowing them to customize and verify various house layout configurations. The presented method can be implemented in a design practice that employs participatory house design, reducing the design process time and related costs while maintaining direct contact with the client. Future research should confront the identified non-expert desire to customize house designs with architects' willingness to implement computer-aided participatory house design. • A method for interactive computer-aided house design participation is proposed. • Prototype and usability studies of the HOPLA-Home Planner tool are presented. • Interactive generative system allows non-experts to obtain designs within limited time. • Non-experts demand tools supporting participatory house design. • The most essential feature is the possibility of modifying house layout.