Participatory Design in the Museum: An exploration of Participatory Design methods at the Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery, New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis discusses and applies Participatory Design at the Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery, in Central Otago, New Zealand. It continues the past decade’s revitalisation of Ranfurly, by providing Project Maniototo (a project funded by the Department of Internal Affairs to facilitate community and economic development in the Maniototo) with design scenarios for the Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery. These design scenarios have been developed and informed through Participatory Design, a methodology where the end user is an active participant in the design process.

The Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery is a community initiative displaying the unique Ranfurly Art Deco style through donated objects from the Maniototo community. Chapter Two discusses the broader social history of Ranfurly and the Art Deco style to provide a contextual understanding of the Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery. The current Gallery design and visitor experience acts as a platform for design scenarios. Examples of museum design precedent have been explored to understand best practice. This understanding of the current situation and design precedent provides a basis for informing design scenarios. In Chapter Three the Participatory Design methodology is reviewed and its application through workshops, surveys and interviews with stakeholders at the Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery is discussed. The research findings inform a brief identifying the need for community involvement, the development of interpretation, increased visitation and sustainable development. Participatory Design is evolutionary and therefore this chapter provides improvements rather than solutions. Chapter Four proposes five research informed design scenarios to answer the brief. Taken together, these scenarios suggest the value of the participatory museum model at the Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery. These scenarios expanded the interpretive themes at the Gallery from a design style to include a broader social history. A second participatory design workshop was proposed to refine these interpretive themes and a spatial understanding of the space, acknowledging the continuous process required by Participatory Design. Scenarios proposed a community exhibition entitled ‘Our Stories’ to develop interpretation and provided spatial recommendations.

The global museum trend towards a visitor focus rather than an object focus in museums, shows the relevance of Participatory Design in this environment. This thesis argues the Participatory Design strategy adds value to the Ranfurly Art Deco Gallery. Participatory Design therefore engages with this community expanding community involvement, providing a greater breadth and depth of interpretation and a representative local identity.