Us and Our Thematic Blocks

In this blog, we have outlined our core competencies and the thematic blocks we have selected. We have also explained the motivation behind our selection of the thematic blocks.

Group Competences

A combination of all our competences include:

• Visual communication
• User centered approach
• Knowledge in the design process
• Experience in user studies, involving the user/actors in the process
• Civil engineering experience
• Team atmosphere
• Software
• Digital tools
• Group management
• Teamwork

How We Work As Group

Mostly online so far, due to COVID-19. If possible, during the project work, we aim at working more together on site.

Firstly, together as a group when discussing, reflecting and dividing the work. Later, individually on our assigned part.

Efficient, but still having a lot of fun! 😊 We believe it important to create a good team spirit!

Keeping on the good work we´ve been doing so far, communicating, listening and respecting each other.

Thematic Areas — Environmental, Information and Space

Environmental

Why is the thematic area interesting for the group and what can it be?

Since environment is our surrounding, it impacts one’s life in both positive and negative ways. There’s interesting and exciting to think about the sustainability aspect regarding health (sound) and sustainability (sound and stormwater).

What do you know and what would you like to learn about the thematic area?

We have some different backgrounds. Everything from Bachelor in Civil engineering to experience from studying environment in high school. What we would like to learn is how to use IT to manage and improve environment and how people are affected by different environments, what we like and dislike.

What competences or experiences do you have that could be relevant?

Group competences for this thematic block is:

Basic knowledge and self-experienced environment from different cultures. Experience from performing user studies which is a good way to collect data, especially for sound environment (how people perceives sound and noise). We are all engineers, so we have creative thinking and are used to problem-solving.

What project ideas could be done in the area to improve campus?

We could identify noise using sensors and elaborate methods to decrease noise for study and resident environment.

We don’t think that the new detail plan has enough with green spaces, this would also be a interesting topic how we could provide more greenery and by that create a better campus atmosphere. What could we do with the stormwater? There’s a clear different in height between different campus areas.

Information

Why is the thematic area interesting for the group and what can it be?

As our group consist of quite a wide range of competencies, it is somewhat tricky trying to unite into one project theme. Discussing the theme of information, and especially digital twins, we see a possibility of combining all our skills into one project idea. Apart from the suitability for our project group, we also believe it to be interesting as it is a new and upcoming field with a lot of opportunities to explore, for example, within the fields of planning and design.

What do you know and what would you like to learn about the thematic area?

We do not have any previous knowledge in digital twins, its usage areas or the tools used for creating it. Though, we are interested and eager to learn.

What competences or experiences do you have that could be relevant?

In our group we have competencies of programming, visualization of information, usability, knowledge in BIM, point clouds and civil engineering.

What project ideas could be done in the area to improve campus?

A digital twin could be designed of trash cans to make trash pickup and management more efficient.

Another idea is a digital twin of water container to prevent water overflow and pressure build-up.

Further, we do not have any ideas as we do not know what usage areas there might be. We are planning on a meeting with a expert within the area, aiming at gaining ideas and information about the theme.

Space

Why is the thematic area interesting and what can it be?

Everything around us is space. The 3 dimensions around us can be regarded as space. This is the reason this thematic area is interesting for us. Space, especially in cities such as Gothenburg is getting denser as the size of population increases. Not only that space encompasses all of the activities that people perform. It would be interesting to study how space is utilized, designed, and potentially improved.

What do you know and what would you like to learn about the thematic area?

Only one of the team members has understanding relating to civil engineering. However, all of us would like to improve our understanding of the topic and think more creatively on how space around us can be used and improved.

What competences or experiences do you have that could be relevant?

Our team includes members with a range of competencies. One of us is a civil engineer, another is a designer, while the third is a software engineer. So, we can combine all of our relevant fields to devise a project to enhance space around us.

What project ideas could be done in the area to improve campus?

One of the ideas is to improve the campus area to include more student residences. It can also involve more vibrant places for leisure and recreation. We can look into how the space can be made more inclusive. Furthermore, redesign of particular space, for e.g. access to rooftops, can be studied.