Anthropometric Basis

ANTHROPOMETRIC BASIS
FOR ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN
ANTHROPOMETRIC: “The study and measurement

of human portions is called anthropometry”. Anthropometry is
the method of obtaining precise measurements of the human
body. It gives the comparative study of the measurements and
capabilities of the human body. It is derived from the Greek word
‘Anthropos’ (meaning human), and ‘metron’ (meaning
measure).
The study of the human body and its movements, and often involves research into
measurements of body parts. The data that designers and researchers gather often helps them
to determine the size of certain parts of a product, to ensure comfortable and efficient use. A
number of areas and factors must be considered when planning size and shape of products,
especially those related to posture and movement.
HENRY DREYFUS developed anthropometric in the USA in

the 1940/50’s. To be universally effective, anthropometrics is used to
describe the “user” or “target population” for a particular
product. Having data available on these groups takes the guesswork
out of designing. Basic statistical information is used to interpret
these data, e.g. Percentile study.
Anthropometric data sets can vary significantly between populations. Particularly in the
fashion industry, the variance in these data sets impacts the size range of clothes for particular
markets.
Examples of Anthropometric data DYNAMIC (FUNCTIONAL) DATA
include:
- are measurements that relate a range
• How far people can reach or reach of various types of body
• How much space a person needs movements such reach, grip
• How much force a person can exert strength, reaction times, etc.
• The height and/or width of a person - Design contexts in can openers, car
• Length of arms/legs console features
• Size of a person’s feet
• Size of a person’s hand
Anthropometric data can be considered

in the following ways:
• Static and dynamic data

• Structural and functional data Ergonomics: Also known as comfort
design, and often refers to the function of a
STATIC (STRUCTURAL) DATA
product, and aims to achieve the most
- are the measurements when the efficient and comfortable interaction between
body is in a fixed position, i.e. static, a product, and its user.
such as height, joint to joint, skin and

bulk.
- Data is collected using standardized
equipment such as calipers,
stadiometer or anthropometer
- Design contexts include chair height,
door width, etc.
The ergonomics of an office chair is

especially important, especially considering
that a lot of people that use an office chair,
can often sit in the same position for hours
on end. users that are categorized within what’s
Designers of these types of chairs would known as the 5th – 95th Percentile.
then especially want to ensure that the user
would remain comfortable for long periods of
time.
Research:
- Primary Research: Is new research

that a designer completes first hand.
In terms of Anthropometry, a
For example; If a chair was made for
designer may conduct primary
100 people, Statistically, it would be
research to measure a range of
anthropometrically suited to 90 of the people
people’s hands, to find out averages.
who purchased it, because on average, 5%
Research done first hand, therefore
of people would be below average size, and
likely to be reliable.
5% of people would be above average size
- Secondary Research: Is research
that others would have collected
beforehand, and designers can
collect from a large database of
Anthropometric measurements.
Saves time and cost for a designer or
a manufacturer, however may be
outdated or unreliable.
Percentiles and Percentile Ranges
It is nearly impossible for a designer

to design a product that is going to suit
This graph shows how the distribution
everybody on the market, and the idea of
of sizes for an average population varies.
‘one size fits all’, is nearly impossible to
The 50%'ile, is the 'average' person. In most
adhere to, due to the many different shapes
population's, people are around the 'average'
and sizes of people that are in a market
size. As you move outwards to either
place. Designers therefore look to design for
extreme, the number of the population who
are that big rapidly drops off. This graph
shows a population with an equal
distribution. But in most populations
the 50th%'ile will be skewed toward either
the lower end of higher end.
For example, the average size of a

UK man is around 5' 10". Up to 6 foot, a large Clearance, Reach and Adjustability
number of the population are that big. But as
you move toward 6' 5" to 7' the numbers Human dimensions are not always in
rapidly drop off. Sizes over the 95th % ile are proportion, which can often be a problem for
rare and therefore most tables don't show designers, especially when accounting for
these extremes. adjustability. Just because a person is tall,
It is important to realize that most does not necessarily mean that the rest of
anthropometric studies are biased. The early their body will be in proportion, for example a
surveys generally looked at tall person can have small arms, which
'European/African descendant males, means their ‘work space envelope’ is likely to
because that was the intake of the US army. be small
Describe a design context where the

50th percentile has been used. For example,
height of a desk.
Using the office chair example again,
the image above shows a user sitting on an
adjustable office chair, which makes life
much easier for a designer, as they are able
to include more consumers within a market
place

Anthropometric Basis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anthropometric Basis

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anthropometric Basis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ANTHROPOMETRIC BASIS

ANTHROPOMETRIC: “The study and measurement

HENRY DREYFUS developed anthropometric in the USA in

Anthropometric data can be considered

• Static and dynamic data

body is in a fixed position, i.e. static, a product, and its user.

such as height, joint to joint, skin and

The ergonomics of an office chair is

- Primary Research: Is new research

Percentiles and Percentile Ranges

It is nearly impossible for a designer

For example, the average size of a

these extremes. adjustability. Just because a person is tall,

'European/African descendant males, means their ‘work space envelope’ is likely to

because that was the intake of the US army. be small

Describe a design context where the

You might also like