Students at Delft University of Technology are experiencing a shortage of study spaces on campus, especially during exam periods. Although building managers are confident that there are enough spaces available, students often stick to familiar locations, such as their own building or the central library. This creates the impression that there are no available spaces, despite there being sufficient spaces elsewhere. Therefore, the university aims to make the existing spaces and their associated facilities more visible to students. With this problem in mind, we developed the Spacefinder for and together with the students of TU Delft.
Thanks to Spacefinder, we don't need to create new study spaces, as students can more easily locate existing ones. This leads to greater student satisfaction and saves us the cost of creating additional study areas and facilities.
Instant view of all available study spaces
On the interactive map we developed for TU Delft, you can instantly see how crowded each building on campus is. The numbers and names on the map are also used on the physical campus map and signage, making it immediately recognisable to students.
With the comprehensive filters in Spacefinder, students can find a study spot that suits their needs. For example, a quiet study space with natural light and an adjustable chair near a coffee corner, or a group study area with a whiteboard and a presentation screen.
Live updates on opening hours and crowding
Spacefinder is linked to two of the university’s data sources. The first is the building schedule, which updates the opening hours. This connection makes it immediately clear whether a study space is open or not. The second is a connection to the building’s Wi-Fi hotspots. This link informs the application of how many devices are connected to the Wi-Fi at a specific location. This data is used to determine the crowding status. This crucial information is displayed directly on the map and is also integrated into the filters.
- Suzanne Steijn, Project Manager at De Voorhoede
We didn’t just create this application for the students, but also with the students. As a result, Spacefinder is fully tailored to their needs.
Accessible Web App for all students
For TU Delft, it is important to be accessible to all students. We developed this web application in such a way that everyone can use it. The application can also be used without the map; the filtering and list features are accessible to software for the blind and visually impaired.
User testing with students
An important aspect of the solution for TU Delft is ensuring that students actually use the application. In the preliminary stages, we consulted with the student council to gather their input and preferences for Spacefinder. Additionally, during development, we conducted a user test with various students. The results were discussed with the university and then implemented to optimize Spacefinder. Based on student feedback, we simplified the occupancy indicators and added new filters.
