6.

ANTHROPOMETRY
“Anthro” means man and “pometry” means
measurements. Anthropometry refers to the
measurement of the size and proportions of the
human body.
Seeks functional ratios between the body and
spaces or forms in architecture.
1. The difficulty with anthropometric
proportioning is the nature of data
required for its use.
2. They are average measurements
and are mere guidelines, must be
always treated with caution.
3. Since variation exists between men & women,
among various age groups, even form one
individual to another
The dimension and proportion of the human body
affects
- the proportion of the things we handle.
- the height and distance of things we try to reach.
- dimensions of furnishings we use for sitting,
working, eating & sleeping.
 There is a difference between structural and functional
dimensions (sit down at a table, walk down a set of stairs
etc.,).
Functional dimension will vary according to the nature of
the activity engaged in and the social situation.
Definition of anthropometrics and ergonomics
Anthropometrics is the comparative study of
human body measurements and properties.
Ergonomics is the science of making the work
environment safer and more comfortable for workers
using design and anthropometric data.

Ergonomics coordinates the design of devices,

systems and environments with our physiological
and psychological capacities and requirements.
Volume of spaces:
In addition to the elements
(like chair, table, sofa etc.,) we
use in a building, the
dimensions of the human body
also affects the volume of
spaces we require for
movement, activity and rest.

Explains how can a space accommodate

our need to maintain appropiate social
distances and to have control over our
personal space, this concept is know as
“territoriality”
Volume of spaces:

Static - as when we sit in a chair, lean against a

railing
Dynamic - as when we enter a building’s foyer, walk
up a stairway or move through the rooms.
Appropriate social distance - to have control over our
personal space.
7.SCALE
Scale is the unit of visual and graphical measurements
of the size of buildings and properties in compare to that
of any other building or components of any building with
respect to human dimensions in habitation.

What is “SCALE” ?

The comparison of one object

against another
●
Determine objects’
size
●
Determine objects’
ratio/relationship of size
TYPES OF SCALE

1. Mechanical Scale - The size of something relative to

an accepted standard of measurement U.S. Imperial
System vs. International Metric System

2. Visual Scale - The size of an object relative to an

assumed size of another object. Elements such as
windows and doorways give us an idea the size and
the number of stories of a building.

3. Human Scale - It is based on the dimensions of the

human body.
MECHANICAL SCALE

The size or proportion of something relative to an

accepted standard of measurement, as when
the dimensions of a doorway or a staircase are other than
those established to relate to human scale.
A table is, according to the U.S.
Customary System, 3’ wide, 6’
long, and 29” high. Using the
International Metric system, the
same table would measure
914mm wide, 1829mm long, and
757mm high.
The physical dimensions of the table have not changed,
just the system used to calculate its size.

In drawing, we use scale to specify the ratio

between an illustration to that what it represents. i.e.
the size of a depicted object/ building in comparison to
the real thing.
VISUAL SCALE
The size or proportion of elements or components
of art or of architecture — relative to the perceived sizes
of other such works or objects of known or assumed
size. Of particular interest to
designers is the notion
of visual scale, which
refers not to the actual
dimension of things, but
rather to how small or
large something
appears to be in
relation to its normal
size or to the size of
other things in its
context.
 SMALL SCALE OR MINIATURE – thing appears to
be smaller than its usual size.
LARGE SCALE - thing appears to be larger than
normal or expected.

We speak of URBAN SCALE when we refer to the

size of a project in the context of a city, or
NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE when we judge a building
appropriate to its locale within a city, or STREET
SCALE when we note the relative sizes of elements
fronting a roadway.

The term “urban” suggests the importance of the

overall context of an area, and the role neighboring
buildings play in establishing a sense of scale.
A window in a building façade
is
- visually related to one
another
- the spaces between
them
- overall dimension of the
façade.
- Establishes a scale
If however,
relative oneofofthe
to the size the windows is larger than the
others, it would create another scale within the
façade.
composition of the façade.
It signifies and alters our perception of the overall
dimension of the façade, and the other windows.
 Building elements such as windows, doors have
sizes and characteristics familiar to us, with which we
can guess the sizes of the other elements around
them.

For example, how large he building is

how many stories it has

Stairs and Modular materials (brick, concrete) are

used to measure the scale of a space.
 Some building have two or more scales
operating simultaneously.

The entrance portico of

the library at the
University of Virginia,
modeled after the
Pantheon in Rome, is
scaled to the overall
building form while the
doorway and windows
behind it are related to
the size of the spaces
within the building.
HUMAN SCALE
Human scale in architecture is based on the
dimensions and proportions of the human body.

 Scale is size in relation to ourselves and the

world around us.

 Human scale is that scale that feels comfortable

to man.

 We naturally measure things against ourselves.

That is why we have measure things by the foot.

 It was a natural scale that we always carried

with us.
 We can gauge(determine) a space dimension
width – by reach out & touch its walls
height – by reach up & touch the ceiling plane.
or rely on visual rather than tactile clues.
(elements that have human meaning)

Elements such as a table, chair, the

sill of a window, a stairway, help us
judge the size of a space and gives
it human scale

Buildings scaled to human physical capabilities

have steps, doorways, railings, work surfaces, seating,
shelves, fixtures, walking distances, and other features
that fit well to the average person.
 A monumental space makes us feel
small in comparison, a space that is
intimate in scale makes us feel
comfortable and in control

Intimate scale
Intimate sizes are smaller than what is normal.
But they are smaller than what we expect. Not
everybody would recognize intimate as a
separate category. It is more of a sub-category of
human-scale.
Monumental scale is
impressive. Our public buildings
are monumental. The buildings
are bigger than us and we
should stand in awe of them.

Monumentality Breaks the

human scale. Aware the
existence of things much
larger than ourselves
Insignificant Demands our
respect

The Motherland Calls in Volgograd.

 For monumental effect. Buildings, statues, and
memorials are constructed in a scale larger than life as
a social/cultural signal that the subject matter is also
larger than life. The extreme example is the Rodina
(Motherland) statue in Volgograd

The steps and portico of the

Supreme Court building dwarf the
people and the rest of the building.
The porch is beautiful. It awes
those looking at it.
FACTORS AFFECTING SCALE
Of a room’s 3 dimensions, its height has a greater
effect on scale than its width or length. The ceiling plane,
determines the qualities of shelter and intimacy.

Raising the ceiling height of a 12’ x 16’ room from

8’ to 9’ will be more noticeable.
Than ,If its width is increased to 13’ or its length
to 17’.
A room of size 12’ x 16’ x 9’ feels comfortable, for
that a room of size 50’ x 50’ x 9’ will begin to feel
oppressive.
OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING SCALE ARE
 the Shape, colour, and pattern of its bounding
surfaces
 the shape and disposition of its openings.
 he nature and scale of the elements placed
within it.
Dark rooms makes the
space look smaller

Full‐height windows
makes the space look
longer and more open

Smaller spaces look

larger when only a few or
just one element is placed