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Methods
This research was conducted using different
methods:
Literature, articles and reports: To acquire
deep knowledge about previous research
regarding temporary phenomena in the fields
of architecture, urbanization, communities,
systems and services, several books were
read. Consequently several articles in
newspapers were read, concerning vacant
building use and work cultures. Furthermore,
several reports were studied, which gave
insight into real estate situations in the HMA.
Interviews: Over the course of the research
interviews were conducted with people
who are involved in the chosen topic.
Their involvement is either in terms of
their professional background in Real
Estate and Architecture, or based on their
knowledge and opinion on the vacancy
of the built environment. The twenty semistructured
interviews and conversations took
approximately one hour each, during which
questions were asked, and the topic was
discussed. Two introductory questions were
prepared for each interviewee, after which
four topical questions were asked, followed
by a visionary closing question. This gave
insight in personal opinions, as well as useful
information for further research. Often times
the interviewee made a suggestion who else
could be interviewed for the thesis research.
Workshop: Following the initial interviews,
the author hosted a workshop, inviting people
with an interest to pro-actively improve their
surroundings. The workshop was held as
part of the Wärk:fest festival, organized in
the weekend of 20/21-10-2012. It was
advertised as a do-it-yourself event, and
was organized by Alternative Party Ry: a
non-profit organization based in Finland,
organizing a variety of events, focused on
familiarizing digital culture, and supporting
equality and tolerance (Alternative Party ry
2013). The workshop was titled ‘I wish
this was…- a workshop on inhibiting the
city spaces’, and was inspired by Candy
Chang’s fill-in-the-blank sticker project.
Chang intended to ask the people who know
best—those who live and work in an area—
what businesses and services are needed
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(Chang 2010). The workshop hosted as
part of the research had a similar intention.
The workshop took one hour, during which
the topic and structure were explained,
supported by digital presentation slides,
followed by the active part of the workshop,
which is dealt with in more detail in chapter
1.7.2 Vacancy awareness workshop.
Survey: Inquiring the habits and demands
of students of Aalto University, the author
proposed a survey. This survey consisted
of twenty questions, and was aimed at
students from all Schools of Aalto University.
The first four questions were aimed at
obtaining basic demographic information
about the respondents, the following eleven
questions were focused on their study
habits. The final five questions inquired
the opinion of the respondents regarding
available workspaces within the Aalto
University. In chapter 2.7 Inquiring survey
the results are handled in more detail.
Case studies: Upon reading about
general workspaces and flexible working
situations, the author conducted a number
of small case studies. These focused
on practices that had been found in
the fields of space use, redevelopment
of real estate, and co-working spaces.
Observation: Lastly, this thesis research
was carried by the observations done by
the author. Curiosity and astonishment
were the driving factors, and have
contributed for a large part to the results.
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