Participatory Speculative Design : Exploring Ownership-Level of Engagement in Co-Designing Meeting Spaces in Swedish Public Sector Offices

Abstract: The involvement of end users in the design process is gaining popularity, particularly through human-centred design (HCD). This case study addresses two practical issues: the lack of engagement of Swedish public sector office workers in designing their workspaces and the need to prioritize user needs in new meeting places. The research examines engagement at the leadership/ownership level using participatory speculative design (PSD), which goes beyond HCD. Through participatory action research (PAR), users are empowered to question their needs and lead the design process. The study employs PSD in two workshops to explore its contribution to the process and outcome. It focuses on identifying ownership-level engagement indicators and assessing how PSD influences reflecting user needs in the initial prototype of future meeting spaces. The central research question revolves around identifying indicators of ownership-level engagement in PSD and assessing how the PSD methodology influences the reflection of user needs in the initial prototype of future meeting spaces. Data collection involves secondary data, literature review, and design workshops, analysing workshop design and participant behaviour’s impact on engagement levels and organizations. The study aims to provide practical solutions and bridge knowledge gaps in participant engagement. Findings demonstrate the practical implications of involving end users at the highest level, including fresh insights, broader perspectives, and the democratization of the design process. PSD at the ownership level proves feasible, offering novel insights within the realm of PSD.