Using principles from architecture to inform HCI design

The field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Design has traditionally been very inclusive, as it emerged from the confluence of seemingly disparate disciplines, such as Computer Science, Information Design and even Rhetoric. However, this interdisciplinary orientation has not translated into direct conversations with other disciplines in order to explore a variety of actionable design strategies, which can inform future systems and interactions. This position paper explores one such possible relationship, arguing that HCI can benefit by drawing from other design fields, specifically Architecture. In order to understand how architectural design can inform better information design, we compare and contrast architectural design elements and principles to information architecture design elements within websites. We then use examples of both typical and award-winning architecture to compare to common and award-winning information architecture and website design, in order to draw parallels between the principles at work. The comparison specifically explores how architects of physical spaces create a sense of place through context and transition spaces, and provide users with a thorough understanding of they space they are navigating, concluding with implications for transfer into information design.