Navigating architectural process: tracking architects' and user-clients’ habitus shock in private dwelling design

Mertens, Audrey; Bourguignon, Mylène; Elsen, Catherine

doi:10.1108/arch-09-2025-0391

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Navigating architectural process: tracking architects' and user-clients’ habitus shock in private dwelling design

Mertens, Audrey; Bourguignon, Mylène; Elsen, Catherine

2026 • In Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, p. 1-18

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/342023

DOI
10.1108/arch-09-2025-0391

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Keywords :

Architectural practice; User involvement; Habitus Shock; Retrofitting

Abstract :

[en] Purpose: This article explores how habitus shock manifests and evolves in the relationship between architects and user-clients during private dwelling projects. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing from Bourdieu's theory of habitus, Adler's concept of culture shock and Siva and London's habitus shock in architectural processes, we adapt these frameworks to describe the shock occurring when user-clients encounter architectural processes for their home, and its equivalent on the architects' end. Drawing on two in-depth case studies of private dwelling renovations in Belgium, we identify key trajectories. We use a set of indicators — comfort, discomfort, enthusiasm and loss of enthusiasm — to characterize these interactions over time. These trajectories are visualized through habitus shock curves, co-validated with participants. Findings: Our findings reveal that adaptation is often non-linear, asymmetrical, and shaped by both interpersonal dynamics and systemic constraints. Rather than unfolding in fixed stages, habitus shock takes on cyclical or iterative forms, with moments of rupture and re-engagement. This refined model provides a more nuanced understanding of how alignment or misalignment between social dispositions impacts the design process. Originality/value: The article offers practical and pedagogical insights for architectural practice, emphasizing the need to recognize, anticipate and support these affective dynamics as part of user-centred design — especially in emotionally and financially invested residential contexts.

Disciplines :

Architecture

Author, co-author :

Mertens, Audrey ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering ; Department of MechE, Ideation Lab, MIT , , ,

Bourguignon, Mylène; Department of UEE, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Inter'Act Lab, University of Liege , ,

Elsen, Catherine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Composition architecturale

Language :

English

Title :

Navigating architectural process: tracking architects' and user-clients’ habitus shock in private dwelling design

Publication date :

16 February 2026

Journal title :

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research

ISSN :

2631-6862

eISSN :

1938-7806

Publisher :

Emerald

Pages :

1-18

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://www.emerald.com/arch/article-pdf/doi/10.1108/ARCH-09-2025-0391/11232507/arch-09-2025-0391en.pdf

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique

Available on ORBi :

since 26 February 2026

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