Ergonomics, The Basics.

ERGOMONICS

The study of people’s efficiency in their working environment, and its relevance to interior design.

Physical anthropology is imperative to every industry.

Public transportation, hospitals, restaurants, retail, offices, hotels, sports arenas, public facilities, restrooms, and even one’s own home can all tie into ergonomics.

Being aware of human anthropometrics is the single most important factor to consider when designing a space. A properly designed environment can prevent injury, increase efficiency and provide the comfort one needs.

Assessing your own environment

Let’s think about sitting at a desk, and the concerns that can come with it…

·   Are your arms too high when you are typing for hours on end?

·   Are you leaning forward to get closer to your computer screen?

·   Are you slouching?

·   Is your monitor at the correct height so you are not straining your neck in either direction?

·   When you are in the kitchen, is your counter at the correct height so you aren’t bending down to preform each task multiple times a day?

These are all critical questions.

Every aspect of a space must be addressed in order for people to function properly with minimal injury.

Injuries can also take a long time to surface – years in many cases.

Interior design isn’t all pillows and paint

Standard countertops and desk heights are based on a scale dictated by the average human size, so obviously these numbers can vary drastically.

When creating for the “masses,” designers tend to use a range of measurements, which can be applied to the general population. This can be helpful, but it is in place to act more as a referencing point.

As the human population has grown in size, the standard requirements have also evolved.

Then vs. Now

An easy observation would be seeing homes built in the 1930’s, and comparing them to homes built today.

A 1930’s home with no renovations will have obvious ergonomic differences – countertops likely being lower than a newly built home is very common.

A bathroom vanity would be much lower than the ones found in the stores today. Beds and furniture were even made smaller. People today are also much bigger – a lot has changed.

When building a new home, countertops now are expected to be at least 36” tall (base cabinet + thickness of the countertop), and the bathroom vanities will be standard at 32” tall.

If wanting to go taller, this is up to one’s own discretion, and can be done, but it can have a negative effect.

Keeping a home’s resale values in mind is vital. Custom height countertops may not be appealing to those who fall into the “typical range.”

1930’s Inspired Kitchen 

Photo Courtesy of ApartmentTherapy.com

Workplace Ergonomics

The ergonomic sphere is a multimillion-dollar industry.

Companies today can get money from the government to provide proper equipment in order to help prevent or remedy issues surrounding workplace injury.

To put it simply, our bodies were not designed to sit in front of a computer all day. Since many insist on doing so, pain will begin to surface in many different forms. In turn, this will lead to a less productive workspace.

Areas of concern, and easy solutions

Staring at your computer screen all day long will cause eye strain. Blue light filters can be extremely beneficial to combat this problem – these are highly recommended for office workers.

Repetitious mouse movement for hours on end can lead to carpel tunnel. An ergonomic mouse can be utilized to minimized that movement, and prevent further irritation.

Cheap desk chairs can wreck the body.

Long periods of sitting incorrectly, and slouching in a chair which is not designed for one’s body can lead to an array of issues. Luckily, ergonomic chairs are easily to find, but it’s essential to speak to a professional ergonomic evaluator first, as every client will have different needs.

Workplace Ergonomics Sitting Chart

Photo Courtesy of ErgonimicTrends.com

Design is always evolving, and being mindful of how one moves throughout a space is undeniably a major player in this evolution.  

By bringing in professionals who are familiar with current standards and codes, the ergonomic objective can be obtained, but it takes some serious knowhow.

Don’t overlook these areas, and take the time needed to make a space, functionable, stylish, and equally comfortable.

Dream. Design. Redefine,

Niki

Sources:

1. Panero, Julius & Zelnik, Martin. Human Dimension, & Interior Space. New York, Watson-Guptill Publications, 1979.