Our Prototyping Journey
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Los Angeles is testing ways to incentivize homeowners to open their backyards to recently homeless individuals by building and demo-ing an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), culminating in an “open house” that will engage the community in experiencing how the ADU will look and feel.
Today is the first in-person session for the LA team with our #MayorsChallenge coach, looking to refine our idea and figure out how to test out some assumptions. #Innovation #LosAngeles @BloombergDotOrg
4:01 PM - 6 Mar 2018 Kiana_Tee -
What we're discovering through testing
According to the survey conducted by the LA team, 10% of those surveyed are interested in building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their property. Further testing revealed that people had very different expectations of their relationship to the prospective tenants. Some anticipated that the door would face the back of their yard, while others would want the ADU facing their home so that they could socialize with the occupant.
Last week, we held a focus group w/ individuals with lived #homeless experience to get their feedback about our #MayorsChallenge concept, using 3D #ADU models and #VR cardboard goggles as #prototypes. Grateful for the time they spent w/ us & to @CrossCampusLA for the fun space!
2:51 PM - 20 Jun 2018 Kiana_TeeA recent testing group session with previously displaced and homeless participants used virtual reality film as a way for people to imagine what it would be like to live in an ADU. Through viewing the 360 films showing the inside of the dwellings, participants were able to provide nuanced thoughts on layout, interiors, and how to make an ADU feel like a home.
The room was packed this morning for a workshop w #losangeles Adult & Family Service Providers to better understand points of view on incentivizing ADUs citywide for social good. #MayorsChallenge @MayorOfLA @LAinnovates @BloombergCities
6:41 PM - 4 Jun 2018 AmandaDaflos -
What we've learned
Los Angeles learned that there is not going to be “one-size fits all" approach to building and living in an ADU, and this insight has become a guiding principle for the project. The team has discovered that homeowners and people living in ADU dwellings have different needs and challenges. To this end, the team plans to implement a matchmaking tool, alongside human support, to ensure they can pair the right homeowners with the right tenant.
This map was created based on a workshop we held with individuals with lived homeless experience. It reflects their sentiments towards various neighborhoods of LA. Throughout the discussion it really became clear to me how strongly we Angelenos feel about our neighborhoods!
9:05 PM - 21 Jun 2018 Kiana_Tee
Responses vary, from "I'd want more privacy" to "I'd want to be friends". A matchmaking tool will be really important to support these varied needs.
Kiana Taheri, Project Manager
