Rengel + Nussbaumer, Chapter 2

Fig. 1- This diagram shows multiple different
measurements for anthropometric data, including
popliteal height, thumb tip reach, and buttock-leg length.

According to the second chapters of The Interior Plan and Human Factors in the Built Environment, the measurement and actual data of the human body plays a very important role in designing a space for an individual or a group of diverse people. Anthropometrics are the measurements of the human body that relate to an individual's or group's range of motion. Anthropometrics are measured from multiple different heights, which I found very interesting. I never realized that a measurement like, popliteal height, helped designers when creating a space
(Fig. 1).




Anthropometrics are helpful with furniture selection. A designer may need to know exactly what an individual needs to sit comfortably. These types of measurement where specifically designed to find out what certain types of people can reach when sitting or if a group of people can actually sit in that type of chair (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2- This diagram labels different stages of human growth to show what furniture
would work best for that individual's height.

Universal design is becoming something designers are striving for in every project, and anthropometrics make it possible. Someone who lives in a wheelchair has very little mobility and with the use of anthropometric data, he or she can age in place. In Rengel's book, bathroom spaces are mentioned with specific measurements. Accessible bathrooms are very lacking in the residential side of design (Fig. 3 + 4). And as an interior designer, if someone cannot use the restroom, they do not have a safe and efficient space; this means we failed at our job.

Fig. 3- This residential bath is accessible
and allows a person in a wheelchair to
comfortably live there. 

Fig. 4- This residential bath is not accessible to someone
in a wheelchair, and thus, that space is not safe
for them.

In Nussbaumer's book, constraint and criterion are defined pertaining to using anthropometric data. Considering these two factors for rearranging a space or even creating furniture, is big.  Comfort is a primary criterion because of how it affects the user's satisfaction and productivity (Fig. 5). Using criterion, such as comfort, helps one to judge standards for the space. Other criterion can be used to increase satisfaction: efficiency, safety, and aesthetics.

Fig. 5- This chair definitely appeals to the comfort and aesthetic criterion. However,  it has multiple constraints.
Only certain body types could use this chair, namely ones that can bend that low. This chair also is constrained on reach factor, a person definitely would not be able to reach far in this chair. 

Utilizing constraint is just as important for a space to be efficient to a user. Human beings are subjective, meaning each one is different: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Constraints such as, human body measurements, clearance, reach, posture, and strength are all factors that should be taken to heart when designing.

Overall, anthropometrics are extremely important to designers because it helps us to interact with the client. Our goal is to make a safe and efficient space for a user, even if they are different that the average percentile.