Anthropometrics

Sculpture by Claire Burbidge

Anthropometrics
Anthropometrics:
the measurement of the human body Anthrop-, anthropo- in composition, man, human. (Gr. Metreein, to measure.)

Ergonomics :

the study of man in relation to his working environment: the adaption of machines and general conditions to fit the individual so that he may work at maximum efficiency (Gr. Ergon, work.)

Anthropometrics
Anthropometry refers to the measurement of the size and proportions of the human body..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 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
Ching, F.D.K.(1996) Architecture, Form, Space and Order. 2nd edn. John Wiley and Sons.

Caryatids.
There is , perhaps, no more clear and powerful image of our relation to the forms built with our own hands than the caryatids of ancient Greek temples. These young maidens, carrying the weight of ornamented and inhabited entablature and pediment, stand serenely, seemingly not burdened by the transfer of a great load.

Bloomer, K, C. Moore, C, W (1977) Body, Memory, and Architecture. London : Yale University Press.

Golden Section

A proportion between the two dimensions of a plane figure or the two divisions of a line, in which the ratio of the smaller to the larger is the same as the ratio of the larger to the whole: a ratio of approximately 1:1.618.

Fibonacci series

A n unending sequence of numbers, each number being the sum of the preceding two. 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21

Ching, F D K. (1995) A Visual Dictionary Of Architecture. Canada: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

(probably born 84BC)

De architectura decem libra (Ten Books on Architecture)

For the Renaissance, it was the only complete work on architecture to have survived from Classical Antiquity. Vitruvius described the harmonious proportions of temples by comparing them with the finely proportioned human body..The perfection of the human body manifested itself , in his view, in the fact that the extended arms and fingertips together with the legs stretched wide apart all lie on the circumference of an imaginary circle. The navel marks the centre of the circle.
Biermann, V. Borngasser, K. Evers, B. Freigang, C. Gronert, A. Jobst, C. Kremeier, J. Lupfer, G. Paul, J. Ruhl, C. Sigel, P. Stewering, R. Thoenes, C. Zimmer, J. (2003) Architectural Theory From The Renaissance To The Present. Italy: Taschen

Homo ad circulum. Vitruvian Man, from Vitruvius III, 1. Image produced by Fra Giovanni Giocondo de Verona(1433 1515). Cited from source opposite.

Vitruvius wrote: For if a man be placed flat on his back, with his hands and feet extended, and a pair of compasses centred at his navel, the fingers and toes of his two hands and feet will touch the circumference of a circle described therefrom. And, just as the human body yields a circular outline, so too a square figure may be found from it. For if we measure the distance from the soles of the feet to the top of the head, and apply that measure to the outstretched arms, the breadth will be found to be the same as the height, as in the case of plane surfaces which are perfectly square.
From Vitruvius III. Cited from: Fazio, M. Moffat, M. Wodehouse, L. (2008) A World History Of Architecture. London: Laurence King Publishing Ltd.
Leonardo da Vinci, Vitruvian Man, ca.1485 Cited from source opposite.

Cesare Cesariano (1476/78 1543) Di Lucio Vitruvio Pollione de Architectura. Cesariano also invested a great deal of effort in the careful artistic reproductions of the proportional figures in the square and the circle, according to Vitruvius (III, I), which he depicted in two woodcuts against the background of a fine grid. Its small modules make apparent the relationship of the size between the human limbs. This was how Cesariano illustrated Vitruvius principle of Symmetria, a calculable regularity of the human figure and architecture.
Homo ad circulum Vitruvian man in a circle and in a square within the circle, for Vitruvius III,I. The grid makes it possible to read the proportions. P.L.Woodcut Cited from source above. Biermann, V. Borngasser, K. Evers, B. Freigang, C. Gronert, A. Jobst, C. Kremeier, J. Lupfer, G. Paul, J. Ruhl, C. Sigel, P. Stewering, R. Thoenes, C. Zimmer, J. (2003) Architectural Theory From The Renaissance To The Present. Italy: Taschen

Homo ad quadratum. Vitruvian man in a square, Vitruvius 111,1 P.XLI. Woodcut Cited from source above

Francesco di Giorgio
He related Da Vincis diagram explicitly to the architecture of the time a centralized Greek cross plan with extended nave superimposed on a mans body

Nuttgens, P. (1997) The Story of Architecture. 2nd edn. London: Phiadon Press Limited.

Leon Battista Alberti

Santa Maria Novella, Florence 1456 - 1470

Wittkowers Proportional Study

Eadweard Muybridge (18301904)

sequential photographs of a woman walking

Walking and turning around rapidly with a satchel in one hand, a cane in the other 1887

Eadweard Muybridge (18301904)

Umberto Boccioni
Unique forms of continuity in Space (1913)

Marcel Duchamp (1887 1968)

Nude descending a staircase No.2

Le Corbusier (1887-1965)
He [Man] has imposed order by means of measurement. In order to get his measurement he has taken his pace, his foot, his elbow or his finger. By imposing the order of his foot or his arm, he has created a unit which regulates the whole work; and this work is on his own scale, to his own proportion, comfortable for him, to his measure. It is on the human scale. It is in harmony with him: that is the main point.
Corbusier, L. (1946) Towards A New Architecture. London: The Architectural Press

The Modulor
First published in 1950. Based on the time honoured Golden Section proportion of 1:1.618, this system comprised two superimposed Fibonacci series that he called red and blue serial dimensions, derived from the hypothetical standard human stature of 1.83 metres (6ft). Consistently applied, this dimensional system not only governed the main proportions of the structure but had the effect of proliferating Golden Section proportions throughout the building down to the smallest detail.
Frampton, K. (2001) Le Corbusier. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.

Le Corbusier (1887-1965)

Unite dHabitation 1946 - 52

Chandigarh 1952
Notre Dame du Haute (Ronchamp) 1955

Modular Man shown in different postures in relation to different harmonic furniture dimensions, 1946.

Frampton, K. (2001) Le Corbusier. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.

The Metric Handbook

Provides detailed anthropomorphic information to assist with designing various types of spaces .

Source of image: Tutt, P. Adler, D. (1985) The Metric Handbook. London: The Architectural Press.

The Metric Handbook

Source of image: Tutt, P. Adler, D. (1985) The Metric Handbook. London: The Architectural Press.

Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan.
Eliel Saarinien. (1873 1950)
Father to Eero Saarinien

Cited from: Fredrick, M. (2007) 101 Things I learned in architecture school. Massachusetts: The MIT Press.

Alvar Aalto (18981976)

Designed by Aalto to furnish his scheme for the Paimio Sanatorium. The culimanation of a long period of experimentation with plywood, that created the first chair built without a rigid framework. It is designed to aid the breathing of tuberculosis patients.

Paimio lounge Chair (1930-31)

www.designmuseum.org

Arne Jacobsen

(1902 1971)

Cutlery designed for the SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen. (195661). Jacobsen also designed furniture, lamps, glassware and door handles he believed every element of the building should be harmonious. Later chosen by Stanley Kubrick to be used on the set of his film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

www.designmuseum.org/design

T@B Caravans micro caravan

Breckenridge Perfect Cottage

His revolutionary solution still fits into the category of RV, which means that is no larger than 37 square metres and so does not count as a building. That means in most states it can be placed on rural land without a permit.

Christopher C Deam

Slavid ,R. (2007) Micro very small buildings. London: Laurence King Publishing.

Sir Alec Issigonis (1906-1988)

creator of the Mini, Morris Minor and the Austin 1100.

Sketch for the Mini

Sectional view of the Mini

Copyright: British Motor Industry Heritage Trust

Alec Issigonis and George Dowson

The Lightweight Special 1933 -38

A frivolity in my life. It was not so much a design exercise as a means of teaching me to use my hands.

John Woodburn, 1962 Cardiff-London record

Francois Vivier Naval Architect: http://www.vivierboats.com/

Capsule Hotels Tokyo

Prefabricated sleeping capsules stacked within a building. Originally conceived as one night accommodation for businessmen who have worked late at the office and consequently missed the train home. In addition to the single sleeping area, the capsules also contain a television , radio, a mirror and a small shelf. A fan is provided for cooling on hot nights. Residents either pay at a reception of vending machine and obtain a token or a wrist band that indicates a capsule number. Personal belongings are left in a locker before you enter the capsule. During your stay ,some establishments require you to change into a Yukata. Bathing facilities are located separately within the building.

Images: Source:

Capsule Hotel in Tokyo Koichi Kamoshida / Getty Images

YOTEL

Prefabricated technology and an efficient use of space combine to create a seven square metre cabin style bedroom. Simon Woodroffe, the owner of the Yo group of companies, wanted to recreate the Japanese Capsule Hotels for a western market. The was idea conceived after being upgraded to a sleeper bed on a British Airways flight. Designs by Priestman Goode.

Image: Source:

Yotel Standard Cabin Floor Plan. www.yotel.com

www.yocompany.biz

Image: Source:

Yotel Cabin. The observer, Sunday12th August, 2007.

Walker Modular
COMPOSITE BATHROOM PODS MINI-SERIES 1391mm x 1014mm

Design an architectural space to accommodate a specific program, experience, or intent.

For example: Undesirable circulation / Good Circulation

Fredrick, M. (2007) 101 Things I learned in architecture school. Massachusetts: The MIT Press.

Herman Herzberger Place Capacity

is the quality of that part of the floor space that is not needed for getting from one place to another. A major criterion for the quality of a floor plan is that the available space is used as efficiently as possible, that there is no more circulation space than strictly necessary, i.e. that space is organized in such a way that optimal place capacity is achieved.

Hertzberger, H. ( 1991) Lessons For Students in Architecture. Rotterdam: Uitgeverij 010.

Herman Herzberger

Place Capacity

Possible

Definitive

A: original

B: after conversion
Dwelling, Amsterdam. Hertzberger, H. ( 1991) Lessons For Students in Architecture. Rotterdam: Uitgeverij 010.

The Japanese Tea House

Crawling through this tiny entrance makes one more conscious of one's own body, and in addition, it requires everyone to bow and be humbled, regardless of social status in the ordinary world. psychologically it enlarges the feeling of the size of this three tatami room after one has squeezed oneself through such a narrow gate.

View of the Fushinan tea arbour with its nirji-guchi, the crawl through entrance of 60 x 60cm width for guests to enter. Nitschke, G. (1993) From Shinto To Ando. Great Britain: Academy Editions.

Micro Compact Home Richard Horden

2.6m cube. Derived from aircraft seating and the Japanese tea House. The units can be combined in a number of ways.

Micro Compact Home

Horden has incorporated a full height shower and kitchen area, and a sunken dining area with a fold down double bed above it. Storage is both beneath the floor and behind the dining area.

1.Terrace 2.Entrance/Shower 3.Storage 4. Dining Area 5. Kitchen

Source: Horden, Cherry, Lee Architects . (2004) Micro Compact Home in Munich, Detail, No.12 , pp. 1470-71.

Micro Compact Home

Section AA Section BB

Source: Horden, Cherry, Lee Architects . (2004) Micro Compact Home in Munich, Detail, No.12 , pp. 1470-71.

Before I started my formal education in architecture, a student (whom I recall as being in his fifth year) advised me that it was important to know the size of things. At the time this seemed an obvious statement, but on reflection, I realized that I only had a rudimentary understanding of the real dimensions of any building component.. The measure of things has become an important aspect of the way we work. We are always pacing out the dimensions of a space or measuring the height of a door handle, verifying if the walls of a room are parallel.
Jonathan Sergison On teaching Sergison Bates Architects

Sergison, J. Bates, S. (2007) Papers 2 Sergison Bates architects. Sergison Bates architects.

Statue of Liberty
New York 1883 Steel Structure, G Eiffel, Sculptor, Bartholdi.

Source of image: Hertzberger, H. ( 1991) Lessons For Students in Architecture. Rotterdam: Uitgeverij 010.