Ergonomics in Building Design
Edward Steinfeld, Instructor
Reading List
Ergonomic Design and Task Analysis
Steinfeld, E. and Danford G. S. Automated doors: toward universal design. Construction Specifier, August, 1994 pp. 90-102 - An analysis of a simple and ubiquitous building product that describes the hidden complexity of usability issues.
Kira, Alexander. The Bathroom. New York: Bantam, 1967, Read Design considerations for defecation, pp. 121-138 and Design considerations for urination. pp. 140-141 (pages may be different in the library's copy of the book below which was a pre-publication version). An example of an ergonomic design project related to the Independent Project.
Kira, Alexander. The Bathroom. Ithaca, N. Y., Center for Housing and Environmental Studies, Cornell University [1966] This is the library's copy of the book. Use this for reference in your Independent Project. Skim the full text of the book so you are familiar with the rest of the contents.
Emotional Design
Norman, D. Emotional Design: Why we love or hate everyday things. New York: Basic Books, 2004. Read entire book except chap. 7. This book can be purchased through Amazon.com. We purchased a paperback copy for $10 and got it overnight. The book is a key reading on how emotions come into play in usability of products and environments.
Brainstorming
_______ Creativity Techniques. in Mycoted: Creative Innovation in Science and Technology. Read the sections on Synectics, Brainwriting and NAF. You can use other sections of this website as a resource for your project. These brainstorming techniques are simple and effective for use in the project. Note that the class Lecture Notes page has a revised version oft he CIST site material with some instructor hints and clarifications.
Perceptual Factors
Proctor, R.W. and Van Zandt, T. Perception of objects in the world. In Human Factors in Simple and Complex Systems, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1994, pp. 131-158. A basic overview of perception for all the senses. Good article for architects because it emphasizes Gestalt psychology which is most relevant for building design issues.
Archea. John. "The path to refuge." Buffalo: School of Architecture and Planning, unpublished paper, 1993; also published as Archea, J. Immediate reactions of people in houses. R. Bolin (Ed.) The Loma Prieta Earthquake: Studies of Short-Term Impacts. Boulder, Co: Program on Environment and Behavior, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, Monograph #50, 1990, pp. 56-64. This article illustrates how our perceptual world can be altered by events around us.
Cognitive Factors
Norman, D. The Design of Everyday Things. New York: Doubleday, 1988. [Hardback Edition called " The Psychology of Everyday Things"] pp. 1-53 and 187-217. This is a key text on cognitive issues in design.
Passini, R. What are spatial orientation and wayfinding? Wayfinding in Architecture. New York: Van Nostrand Rheinhold, pp. 27-52. This article introduces environmental cognition as a central concern for building design.
Anthropometric Factors
Sanders, M.S. and McCormick, E.J. Applied anthropometry, work space design and seating. In Human Factors in Engineering and Design, 7th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993, pp.415-455. This is an introduction to the basics of anthropometry in design.
Biomechanical Factors
Marras, W. S. Biomechanics of the human body, in Salvendy, G. (ed.) Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2nd Edition. New York: John Wiley, 1997. pp233-267. An introduction to biomechanics with an emphasis on design of work tasks and workplaces.
Templer, John. The Staircase: Studies of Hazards, Falls and Safer Design. Cambridge MA: MIT Press, 1992. Chap. 1, pp. 3-24. An introduction to ergonomic issues in stairway design with an emphasis on gait and its relationship to the environment of stairways.
Focus Groups
Caplan, S. Using focus groups methodology for ergonomic design. Ergonomics 33(5), 527-533, 1990
Zeisel, J. Focused interviews. Inquiry by Design, Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole, 1991, pp. 137 - 156. The basics of doing focused interviews with individuals but much of the material can be applied to focus groups as well.
McNamara, C. Basics of Conducting Focus Groups. http://www.managementhelp.org/evaluatn/focusgrp.htm - a checklist of things to do in preparing for a focus group.
Supplementary Readings
Diffrient, N., Tilley, A. R. and Harman, D. Humanscale 1-9. Cambridge: MIT Press,1981.
Grandjean, E. Ergonomics of the Home London: Taylor and Francis, 1973.
Kaplan, S. and Kaplan, R. Cognition and Environment: Functioning in and Uncertain World. New York: Praeger, 1982.
Panero, J. and Zelnick, M. Human Dimensions and Interior Space. New York: Watson and Guptill, 1979.
Pheasant, S. Bodyspace. London: Taylor and Francis, 1986.
Proctor, R.W. and Van Zandt, T. Human Factors in Simple and Complex Systems, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1994.
Pushkarev, B. and Zupan, J. Urban Space for Pedestrians. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1975.
Regnier, V. and Pynoos, J. Housing the Aged, New York: Elsevier, 1987.
Salvendy, Gavriel. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2nd Edition. New York: John Wiley, 1997.
Sanders, M.S. and McCormick, E.J. Human Factors in Engineering and Design, 7th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993. (Science and Technology
Wickens, C.D., Gordon, S.E. and Liu, Y, An Introduction to Human Facotrs Engineering. New York : Longman, 1999, Chap. 4, Visual Sensory System, and Chap. 5, Auditory, Tactile and Vestibular System, pp. 81-144. Note: Book is on reserve in SAP library.
Periodical Literature
The following sources are very useful to find articles in the periodical literature that might be relevant for your projects. The designation after the source indicates the media in which it is available and location. In some cases, these sources require some effort to use effectively. Plan to spend some time learning how to use them before doing your literature review. The librarians in the respective libraries can help you to do more effective searches.
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