PANGILINAN, KORYNE E.

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
BS-ARCH 1-1

ANTHROPOMETRICS

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Anthropometry simply means “human dimension”, “measurement of people” which is

derived from the Greek word ‘anthros’ that means man, and ‘metron’ meaning measure.With all
of this, anthropometry is basically about the measurement of the human body.

Anthropometry refers to the measurement of the size and proportions of the human body.
While the architects of the Renaissance saw the proportions of the human figure as a
reaffirmation that certain mathematical ratios reflected the harmony of their universe,
anthropometric proportioning methods seek not abstract or symbolic ratios, but functional ones.
They are predicated on the theory that forms and spaces in architecture are either containers or
extensions of the human body and should therefore be determined by its dimensions. The
difficulty with anthropometric proportioning is the nature of the data required for its use. For
example, the dimensions given here in millimeters are average measurements and are merely
guidelines that should be modified to satisfy specific user needs. Average dimensions must
always be treated with caution since variations from the norm will always exist due to the
difference between men and women, among various age and racial groups, even from one
individual to the next. (Ching,1943, p. 338.)

IMPORTANCE IN ARCHITECTURE

Anthropometrics is a basis of architectural design. According to Salvan (1999),

Anthropomorphic proportioning methods seek not abstract or symbolic ratios, but functional
ones. They are predicated on the theory that forms and spaces in architecture are either
containers or extensions of the human body and should, therefore, be determined by its
dimensions. The dimensions and proportions of the human body affect the proportion of things
PANGILINAN, KORYNE E. THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
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we handle, the height and distance of things we must reach, the dimensions of the furniture we
use to sitting, working, eating, and sleeping. In addition to these elements that we used in a
building, the dimensions of the human body also affect the volume of space we require for
movement activity and rest. In short, what Salvan means is that anthropometry helps a designer
to determine the minimum space required to accommodate the human body when performing an
activity in relation to the space consideration. Without anthropometry there will be inadequate
space or excess space in constructing structure and spaces that will become wasteful or impractical.
Another thing is to make sure that the person or people who will occupy the space will be
comfortable enough. Dimensions must be appropriate, for example ceilings high
enough, doorways and hallways wide enough, and so on.

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 standardized 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 maneuverability 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.

THINGS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDER IN ANTHROPOMETRY:

 Variations between indiviuals

 Variations between racial groups
 Variations in ages
 Variations in gender
 Persons with disabilities

WHO STUDIED HUMAN SCALE?

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (October 6, 1887 –

August 27, 1965), also known as Le Corbusier, is one of many architects to study human scale.
Le Corbusier is famous creating the proportional system known as Modulor.
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Modulor

He started studying human scale in 1942, his first published study is entitled, The Modulor: A
Harmonious Measure to the Human Scale UniversallyApplicable to Architecture and Mechanics,
was in 1948. Modulor is an anthropometric scale of proportion that is based on two thing; the
proportion of the body and mathematics. The aesthetic dimensions of the Golden Section and the
Fibonacci series and the functional dimensions (proportion of the human body). This system of
measurement governs length, surfaces, and volumes, and '' Mairrtain -the human scale
everywhere." It could lend itself to infinity of combinations.

Image source:Architectural Theories of Design, p. 109-111

FURNICUBE

Furnicube is a formula discovered by George Salvan based from the modulor.A height of any
person in meters divided by the number 7.85 will give the dimension of the head. Coming from
the word furnitue and cube the author named it furnicube ,which is formed by perfect squares.
PANGILINAN, KORYNE E. THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
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Image source:Architectural Theories of Design, p. 113

The dimensions and proportions of the human body affect the proportion of things we
handle, the height and distance of things we try to reach, and the dimensions of the furnishings
we use for sitting, working, eating, and sleeping. There is a difference between our structural
dimensions and those dimensional requirements that result from how we reach for something on
a shelf, sit down at a table, walk down a set of stairs, or interact with other people. These are
functional dimensions and will vary according to the nature of the activity engaged in and the
social situation. A special field that has developed from a concern with human factors is
ergonomics—the applied science that coordinates the design of devices, systems, and
environments with our physiological and psychological capacities and requirements.

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PANGILINAN, KORYNE E. THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
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In addition to the elements that we use in a building, the dimensions of the human body
also affect the volume of space we require for movement, activity, and rest. The fit between the
form and dimensions of a space and our own body dimensions can be a static one as when we sit
in a chair, lean against a railing, or nestle within an alcove space. There can also be a dynamic fit
as when we enter a building’s foyer, walk up a stairway, or move through the rooms and halls of
a building. A third type of fit is how a space accommodates our need to maintain appropriate
social distances and to have control over our personal space.

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Through anthropometrics designers will know the proper design and spacing and furniture
that will be needed in accordance to which it is designed for.

References:

Ching, F.(1943). Architecture : Form, Space, & Order. Fourth Edition. Anthropometrics, 338-340.

Salvan, G.(1999) .Architectural Theory of Design. Proportion and Anthropometrics,108-113