UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Week 2 : Anthropometric Basis of Architectural Design

A. Anthropometrics in Architectural Design

Anthropometrics is the comparative study

of the measurements and capabilities of the
human body. It derives from the Greek words
'anthropos' (meaning human), and 'metron'
(meaning measure).

Anthropometry influences a wide range of

industries, processes, services and products and
has a considerable importance in optimising
the design of buildings.

Human dimensions and capabilities are

paramount in determining
a building's dimensions and overall design. The
underlying principle of anthropometrics is that building designs should adapt to suit the human body,
rather than people having to adapt to suit the buildings.

There are two basic areas of anthropometry:

▪ Static anthropometry is the measurement of body sizes at rest and when using devices such as chairs,
tables, beds, mobility devices, and so on.
▪ Functional anthropometry is the measurement of abilities related to the completion of tasks, such as
reaching, maneuvering and motion, and other aspects of space and equipment use.

The use of anthropometrics in building design aims to ensure that every person is as comfortable
as possible. In practical terms, this means that the dimensions must be appropriate, ceilings high
enough, doorways and hallways wide enough, and so on. In recent times, it has come to have particular

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significance for workplace design, and the relationship between desk, chair, keyboard and computer
display.

The building regulations provide a range of standard requirements and approved solutions
for designers to help develop suitable designs. However, it is important to consider the specific purpose
and requirements of end users. Attempts to apply standardised dimensions may not reflect the true need
of the space requirements.

Older people, children, people with mobility issues, wheelchair users and so on may have specific
requirements. In particular, good accessibility and easy manoeuvrability around the building must be
considered when designing stairs, lifts, ramps and other features. See Accessibility in the built
environment for more information.

Anthropometry may also impact on space requirements for furniture and fittings. For example,
a bathroom must have enough space to comfortably fit a bath and sink; a bedroom must have
enough space to comfortably fit an average-sized bed; an office building must have enough space to fit
desks, air-conditioning units, communal areas, meeting rooms, and so on.

Anthropometric data is regularly updated to reflect changes in the population

Learning Activity 2.1

1. Individual Activity: Measure your body (in centimeters) while doing various activities
(see image on next page)
2. Class Activity: In tabular format, find the average of the measurements for:
a. Male students in the class
b. Female students in the class
c. All members of the class

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1 V.1.0 BY: CASEY NIÑA ABALAYAN

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THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1 V.1.0 BY: CASEY NIÑA ABALAYAN

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Sources: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Anthropometrics_in_architectural_design

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Inclusive_design

https://www.academia.edu/21246356/Ernst_Neufert_ARCHITECTS_DATA

B. Ergonomics in Construction

This article was written by Ryan Meeks, a Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors Specialist based in
Bristol.

Ergonomics is a branch of science related to the design of workplaces, products and systems to best fit
those who use them. The term is derived from two Greek words, ‘ergon’ meaning work, and ‘nomos’
meaning laws.

It can be used interchangeably with ‘human factors’, although ergonomics has more relevance to
the environment’s physical aspects, such as workstations and control panels, whereas human factors has
relevance to wider socio-technical systems in which people work and the cognitive aspects concerned
with human performance.

The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) is the UK body
representing ergonomics.

The aim of effective ergonomics is to apply learning about human abilities and limitations to improve
interaction with environments and products, and prevent or limit the risk of illness or injury.

Ergonomists work across and use data and techniques from several different disciplines, such as:

▪ Anthropometry: Body sizes, shapes, variations.

▪ Biomechanics: Muscles, levers, forces, strength.
▪ Environmental physics: Light, heat, noise, radiation, cold, vision, and so on.
▪ Applied psychology: Learning, errors, differences.
▪ Social psychology: Group behaviour, communication.

Ergonomics can help address the physical and environmental stresses that might be associated with an
activity:

▪ Physical stresses might include repetitive motions, vibration, or working in awkward positions, and so
on.

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▪ Environmental stresses might include indoor air quality, excessive noise or improper lighting, which
may induce conditions such as ‘sick building syndrome’.
▪ Cognitive stresses might include situational awareness, high cognitive workload, complex decision-
making processes, attention and communication, and so on.

Ergonomics is particularly relevant in the workplace, where activities may be repeated frequently, of
positions maintained for a long period of time. Studies have shown that poor ergonomics is likely to result
in a loss of worker productivity, higher rates of lost work days through illness, a lack of staff morale and
motivation, and increase employee turnover.

A great deal of research attention is given to the layout of workstations and the design of, and relationship
between, chairs, desks, screens and keyboards, and so on. This is because of the risk of developing
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome which affect nerves, tendons and
muscles, predominantly in the arms, hands and wrists, as a result of repetitive motion and strain.

As construction is a physically demanding work environment, site workers are often at risk of long-term
injury. Back sprains and strains are the most common disabling injuries, often due to overexertion and
bodily motion.

The table lists some of the most common risks facing construction workers and the ergonomic solutions.

TYPE OF WORK RISK ERGONOMIC DESIGN SOLUTION

Tasks that involve low work, Require repetitive bending, Auto-feed screw guns
such as using factory tools, kneeling and squatting. Can with extension, motorised screeds,
tying rebar, hand cause fatigue, pain and injury. rebar-tying tools, all enable
screeding concrete. the worker to stand upright
while operating.
Work that involves repetitive Kneeling on a hard surface puts Portable kneeling creeper with
kneeling. a lot of direct pressure on chest support reduces stress to
knees. Working in kneeling knees, ankles and lower back.
positions for long periods of time
can lead to problems such as
knee osteoarthritis.
Bending and twisting body Frequent stooping causes Split-
during masonry or roofing work. fatigue and puts stress on lower level adjustable scaffolding allows
back, increasing chance of for less stooping because
injury. Risk of injury also high if the materials and work surface are
twisting quickly, especially kept near waist-height which is
when handling heavy objects. more comfortable and stresses the
body less.

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1 V.1.0 BY: CASEY NIÑA ABALAYAN

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Overhead drilling work. Long periods of keeping arms Bit extension shaft for drill
and neck in fixed, hard-to-hold or screw gun so it can be held
positions can lead to serious below shoulder and closer to the
muscle or joint injuries. waist.
Lifting heavy blocks. Can cause fatigue and strain, Lightweight concrete blocks weigh
may lead to injury. considerably less than
solid blocks and can be carried
easier.
Lifting large windows and Puts stress on back and Vacuum lifters can be used, which
sheet materials. shoulders. Injuries can be more attach to windows and flat panels
serious when having to work in and remove the need for manual
awkward positions or handling.
holding materials for long
periods of time. Manual placing
can also lead to hand injuries.
Using hand- After long periods of exposure Reduced vibration power tools are
held power tools that produce a ‘white finger’ can develop or designed to produce less vibration.
lot of vibration. ‘hand-arm vibration syndrome’ Use along with anti-
(HAVS). vibration gloves.
Sitting at an office desk for long Can result in repetitive strain Maintain comfortable height and
periods of time. injuries such as distance from desk and screen.
carpal tunnel syndrome. Adjustable desks are available that
allow a person to use it from a
standing position. Ergonomically
designed computer equipment is
also available.

Source: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Ergonomics_in_construction

Learning Activity 2.2

Explain what anthropometrics and ergonomics are, and how they relate to architecture.
200 words

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UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

C. Accessibility in the Built Environment

Developers, designers and owners of buildings have a responsibility to ensure that the built
environment is accessible to everyone wherever it is practical to do so. This includes anyone who has a
mobility or other impairment, whether permanent or temporary, such as:
▪ Wheelchair users, their carers, people with walking difficulties and so on.
▪ People with pushchairs and children.
▪ People with sight or hearing impairments.
▪ Elderly people.
▪ People with co-ordination or respiratory problems.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN
The principles of universal design provide a broad conceptual starting point for the underpinning ethos
of inclusive design:
1. Equitable use. The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
Guidelines:
1a: Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible, equivalent when not;
1b: Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users;
1c: Make provisions for privacy, security, and safety equally available to all users;
1d: Make the design appealing to all users.

2. Flexibility in use. The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
Guidelines:
2a: Provide choice in methods of us
2b: Accommodate right or left-handed access and use;
2c: Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision;
2d: Provide adaptability to the user's pace.

3. Simple and intuitive Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of

the user's experiences, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Guidelines:
3a: Eliminate unnecessary complexity;
3b: Be consistent with user expectations and intuition;
3c: Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills;
3d: Arrange information consistent with its importance;
3e: Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.

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4. Perceptible information. The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user,
regardless of ambient conditions or user's sensory abilities.
Guidelines:
4a: Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information;
4b: Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings;
4c: Maximise 'legibility' of essential information;
4d: Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e. make it easy to give instructions or
directions);
4e: Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory
limitations.
5. Tolerance for error. The design minimises hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or
unintended actions.
Guidelines:
5a: Arrange elements to minimise hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible;
hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded;
5b: Provide warnings of hazards or errors;
5c: Provide fail safe features;
5d: Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.

6. Low physical effort. The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of
fatigue.
Guidelines:
6a: Allow user to maintain a neutral body position;
6b: Use reasonable operating forces;
6c: Minimise repetitive actions;
6d: Minimise sustained physical effort.
7. Size and space for approach and use. Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach,
manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
Guidelines:
7a: Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user;
7b: Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user;
7c: Accommodate variations in hand and grip size;
7d: Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.

However, there has been criticism that these are too vague to be applied practically in practice. The
problems that occur in the built environment are complex and often interlinked. Isolating one

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individual element may allow the principles to be used, but when viewed as a larger picture issues
beyond the designer's control confound the principles.

INCLUSIVE DESIGN
The British Standards Institute (2005) defines inclusive design as "The design of
mainstream products and/or services that are accessible to, and usable by, as many people as
reasonably possible ... without the need for special adaptation or specialised design."
CABE have published and promoted the principles of inclusive design as it relates to
the built environment:
▪ Inclusive – so everyone can use it safely, easily and with dignity.
▪ Responsive – taking account of what people say they need and want.
▪ Flexible – so different people can use it in different ways.
▪ Convenient – so everyone can use it without too much effort or separation.
▪ Accommodating for all people, regardless of their age, gender, mobility, ethnicity or circumstances.
▪ Welcoming – with no disabling barriers that might exclude some people.
▪ Realistic – offering more than one solution to help balance everyone's needs and recognising that
one solution may not work for all.

Learning Activity 2.3

Show in a matrix format the similarities and differences between the following:
• Accessibility
• Universal Design
• Inclusive Design

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1 V.1.0 BY: CASEY NIÑA ABALAYAN