Appendix D: User Focus Group Interviews The user focus group consists of people living in “de Bothoven” area.
N: Which design did you prefer most?
S: I prefer the pavilion most, since the functionality is really nice. But if you were to add a functionality like that to the ribbon design, it would be even between those two.
K: I also like the pavilion most, since I love the idea of the double sheltering. I like the aesthetic of the spiral most, though. The ribbon.
Appendix E: Decision Maker Interview
The decision making instance is the client; the municipality of Enschede. Participant 1: N H, femaleInterview Duration: 48 minutes
Explanation of how the interview will go
N: I will show you three designs now, and this is the first one (lightbulb). Please tell me
your first thoughts. H: The water is in the top I assume? (Yes). Can you explain a few details of the design?
(Explanation). How is the energy collected to power this? Solar panels? (Depends on the
technical part). The design is a little confusing regarding the shape. It does not give off a water
vibe, or an environmentally friendly message. It has nothing to do with climate adaptation or
water. I understand that you want something that gets your attention, but it should also have an
educational part in it. This looks more artsy, it has a wow-factor, but it does not explain anything
about climate adaptation, and the reason why the rainwater buffer is placed there. It looks a little
like something from outer space. Like a UFO or something. You can tell a story through
pictures. N: Any other comments? H: There is a logo from “de regentoren”. Was the logo used in the designs? (No). N: This is the second design (umbrella). Any first thoughts? H: This is like an umbrella, I see. Can you explain the design? (Explanation). Interesting design,
I like this one. It is obvious that it has something to do with the climate. What I miss is where you
can use the water. You can use it for watering the plants, e.g. But there is also a lot of heat,
since the summers are very warm. You need to store water to water plants and clean windows,
etc. It would be nice if the use was more emphasized. To make it understandable, why do we
have to store the water? You can explain it as heat stress. It would be better to design it like
there is a sun for instance. It is not nice if it’s really hot and you see a very rain and water based
design. You have to design something that will be interesting in 10-20 years, since it is also
getting warmer. Have you put any thought into educational factors? It would be very helpful if
the landmark was explained. If people want to visit it, it tells you a story of what it is about. It could be an advertisement for the small SRB, advertisement for “de regentoren”. You can buy your own, even though this is the XXL version, and help the municipality and the Earth.
H: I like it, and it is also necessary. If you tell a story about climate adaptation, there needs to be
something for people to stay. Like a museum; people need to be around to take in the story. If
people cannot be there, they will just walk by and very likely never look at the SRB XXL. It
would be nice, if you would also consider the area around it and adapt the design to that. You
can also do something with a voice explanation, for example. Push a button to hear a voice,
instead of art and text. N: Any further comments? H: This is not transparent, right? (Explanation, carved/drawn raindrops, tinted glass). Is there an
aspect that considers children? (Add a place to stay, add an interaction that is easy; in this case
it is sitting). N: The third design, the interaction includes a ramp. Please share your thoughts before I
explain too much about it. H: This looks more like the original “watertoren”. In the original design of it, the water is stored
up there; the people might think the water is placed in the top. If the buffer is transparent, they
will see where the water is, I assume. What story would this design tell? (Environment
Awareness, since it is a big topic right now. Promoting planting trees, nature, gardening;
Enschede has organized nature, they want to have wild nature and something nice to look at.)
How are the plants watered when there is a drought season? (The SRB is self sustaining). It
could also add as an explanation on how people can use their own SRB, to water their own
gardens for examples. You can also change it into a playing area, not only educational but also
recreational and a playing area. It would give it an extra dimension. If children go there, and
take their parents, you can also tell the story to the grown ups. N: Any comments in general? H: They all have a story, but if you were to add things about heat stress in order to use the
water in dry periods, that would be good. You should combine different aspects of the design, in
order to create your final design. You should make people try to do something themselves. You
should use it to tell a story, it’s the most important thing. You must be able to tell the story
somehow, via art or in other ways. It would be good if it is something that can be used by
people. For example, there is a school nearby, they could use the water to water their plants in
the garden. People would go there more often and can also feel the use and need of the SRB.
Those are the most important aspects. Otherwise, in neighborhoods, in the beginning it’s new and people go there and look at
it, people do not see it really anymore. It would be nice if it’s used and put somewhere else, but
if people can use it, they will always be aware of it. And also buy a small one for themselves.
And when it’s gone, they miss it, and will replace it by the small SRB. I would prefer a mix of the designs (umbrella and garden) tell the story best. Since they
have to do something about climate change. It is really necessary to think about how to attract as many people as possible.