Ergonomics and universal design in interior architecture education
Author
Olguntürk, Nilgün
Demirkan, Halime
Date
2009Source Title
Journal of the Faculty of Architecture
Print ISSN
0258-5316
Publisher
METU
Volume
26
Issue
2
Pages
123 - 138
Language
English
Type
ArticleItem Usage Stats
522
views
views
373
downloads
downloads
Abstract
The focus of this article is on the application of Human Factors and
Ergonomics (HFE) principles on design process. Designers begin acquiring
HFE principles and data during their university education. Universal
Design (UD) approaches HFE as incorporating the whole of the population
rather than a certain percent. This study explores the effectiveness of a
specially designed course on UD in an interior architecture undergraduate
program. After completion of the course, students were asked to evaluate
their learning process. It was observed that learning UD principles is a
process and requires some time, rather than being book information. The
majority found the course helpful in increasing their awareness of UD
issues. They also found the course helpful for improving their design
work. The research suggests UD to be integrated into the interior design
curriculum both as a separate course on its own and within the context of
the design studios.