Using the former hospital in Hersbruck (Bavaria) as a case study, this thesis explores a user-centered and participatory development process that uses scientific methods to evaluate and adapt an architectural design process to transform the former clinic into a residential- and community center. The evidence-based, iterative design process begins with analyzing the surrounding neighborhood and considering various existing concepts of multigenerational dwellings. This step forms the basis for the first design proposal, which is then evaluated and tested to determine its qualities and shortcomings. In two studies, the public and private areas of the proposal are presented to participants via virtual reality.

Methods from the field of environmental psychology are used to investigate, analyze and document the spatial experience, the user behavior and the participant's opinions. With these studies, users are integrated into the design process, and conclusions about the quality of the spaces are drawn. As a result, their preferences and specific needs are used to inform further design improvements. This leads to another repetition of the individual steps of the process: design, analysis and adaptation, to further improve the proposal.

The Thesis acts as the first step in an ongoing development process that combines applied research with conventional project development and integrates users into the planning process to enhance the design process to present a social and sustainable transformation of the existing building.