Anthropometrics

Sketch by Me

Anthropometrics, a big word you've heard, but do you know what it really means? In short, it's the measurement of our bodies and how those measurements determine what we do and how we move. These measurements are imperative to architects because they determine how buildings are made before the concrete is even poured. In general, these measurements are averages based on the population, but they are subject to change over time. These measurements include the obvious, height and width, but what about the distance an arm can reach when it's stretched up high? Or the distance from the back of the knee to the heel? These types of measurements take into consideration our daily lives and how we move within spaces we use everyday.

Have you ever had to walk down a flight of stairs, and when you get to the bottom you have to duck your head because the ceiling is too low? Yea poor planning. You know what that architect didn't take into consideration? Anthropometrics. According to UpCodes, the minimum any ceiling height should be is 7 ft., even where the ceiling opens for a flight of stairs. It's one thing if the ceiling in your home is this way. You've probably learned to crane your neck one way or the other to avoid banging your head, but what if this was a problem in a school stairwell or a store? These spaces have to meet the needs of everyone, and in case you haven't noticed, we all come in different shapes and sizes. Great architecture takes these things into consideration, forcing the design of the building to adapt to us, rather than us adapt to the space. The image below is of the living space in an Airbnb I stayed at over the summer in Cocoa Beach, FL. It was a small one bedroom but had a large living room. Off from that was this space, the breakfast nook. Though it looks to be pretty big, the distance between the counter and the chair was minimal and although I could fit, I can't imagine anyone any larger than me being able to sit there comfortably.

Photo by me of Airbnb in Cocoa Beach, FL

When we look at anthropometrics in depth, it gets into pretty specific measurements. But these measurements help create Static and Functional Anthropometry. Static Anthropometry is comprised of our body measurements when we are at rest, doing things like sitting at a desk in an office or sitting in a coffee shop on our phone. Functional Anthropometry is the measurement of our bodies in use: lifting, reaching, squatting, you name it. The combination of these two have to be taken into consideration when creating a space. Even if it isn't a public space, you want the occupant to feel like it was made for them and their needs.

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Aside from strict code requirements, it is important that the designer takes the end user into consideration. Building apartments to code may be okay, but what if the occupants are mostly elderly? These people are going to need very different accommodations than say a group of college students. In public spaces anthropometrics play a huge role in the design. Are the doorways tall enough and wide enough to be handicapped accessible? Are the isles wide enough? Is it usable for people who are blind or deaf? It's hard to imagine how to deal with these things if they aren't a part of your daily life, but it's the responsibility of designers to take all of these possibilities into consideration.