The role of anthropometry in designing for sustainability

Abstract

This research demonstrates the relevance of some anthropometry-based ergonomics concepts to the field of design for sustainability. A global design case study leverages human variability considerations in furthering three sustainable design goals: reducing raw material consumption, increasing usage lifetimes and incorporating ethical human resource considerations in design.

Ergonomics and sustainable development in the past two decades (1992–2011): Research trends and how ergonomics can contribute to sustainable development

“…7), another part of the question on how to contribute still remains unanswered. There have been several attempts by scholars and practitioners in the ergonomics field to come up with an appropriate methodology or framework that can possibly contribute to sustainable development (Marsot, 2005;Bucchianico et al, 2012;Marano et al, 2012;Nadadur and Parkinson, 2013;Neumann and Village, 2012;Ryan and Wilson, 2013;Carayon et al, 2014;Davis et al, 2014;Norros, 2014;Zink, 2014).…”

“…The first example involves innovative design solutions for household kitchens regarding the preparation and consumption of food, especially in relation to energy saving and waste reduction; while the second example is related to the design of an easily transportable, folding and ultra-lightweight bicycle (intermodal bike) for sustainable mobility and intermodality. Furthermore, Nadadur and Parkinson (2013) highlighted the role of anthropometry from ergonomics in sustainable development and proposed three ways in which its consideration is relevant to sustainability: reducing raw material consumption, increasing usage lifetimes and ethical human resource considerations. They reported a global case study on workstation seat design, with detail considerations of human anthropometry variability.…”

Older Workers and a Sustainable Office Environment

“…The implications of achieving adjustability for older workers to fulfil their physical and cognitive requirements include designing furniture and office tools based on anthropometric studies. Because older workers' variability in size, shape, gender, age and education levels affect how they interact with an office environment more than younger workers' variabilities do, and anthropometric databases are not available for every user population (Nadadur and Parkinson, 2013), there are no common designs for the ageing workforce. Thus, ensuring adjustability results in increased costs, a situation that is not sustainable.…”

Anthropometric Data of Chilean Male Workers

“…Anthropometry is concerned with body measurements of people, with the aim of achieving comfort, optimal fit and usability [1]. Anthropometric data of populations is a key input to produce high levels of physical accommodation.…”