Bring the user into the design process

A conversation toolkit that helps architects and students integrate the user into every design decision through play.

The user is often present at the beginning, but disappears along the design process

Design decisions in architecture are frequently driven by intuition, personal references or assumptions.

As the design process evolves, the connection with the user becomes less explicit, harder to trace and rarely questioned.

Bring the user back into the design process

Arplaytecture Cards is a conversation toolkit designed to help architects and students integrate the user into their decisions.

Through playful prompts and structured interactions, it keeps the user present throughout the design process — not only at the beginning.

user-centred design
arplaytecture cards
focus on the real problem
architect's glasses
uncover the user needs

How the toolkit works

A simple structure to experiment, guide, question and reflect on design decisions.

1. Become aware of your starting point
Departure cards help you reflect on your assumptions before making decisions.
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2. Design with the user in mind
Challenge cards introduce “what-if” prompts that bring the user into the process.
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3. See from different perspectives
Role cards activate different ways of thinking to reframe your design decisions.
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4. Evaluate your proposal
Arrival cards help you assess how your design responds to the user.
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Look beyond the visible

Each challenge card reveals a hidden message that can only be read through the architect’s glasses.

This simple gesture shifts perspective, reminding you to look beyond assumptions and reconnect with the user.