Has behaviour left housing design? A literature review and research agenda

Review article, 2026

Despite previous calls for a more integrated approach to behavioural research in architecture, studies on housing design and behaviour have remained largely fragmented. While post-occupancy evaluative studies today constitute a significant part of housing design research, behavioural outcomes of housing design, remains largely under studied and represents a key research gap. It is against this backdrop that this literature review seeks to outline how the interaction between spatial design and behaviour is investigated by reviewing 32 recent architectural research publications. In addition to identifying critical gaps and challenges, this paper suggests that housing design and architecture scholars can draw upon studies from different disciplines as well as valuable data beyond academia. More importantly, it is also imperative to recentre theoretical and conceptual discussions when studying and analysing the relationship between housing design and behaviour. The methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks highlighted in this review can be useful points of departure for developing a more holistic approach to housing design research, which would in turn lead to better housing design that matches the changing needs and behaviours of the residents.