A Digital Incorporation of Ergonomics into Architectural Design

Abstract

A project that is particularly designed for digital studio settings is described. Facilitated by multiple computer modeling and animation software, the project incorporates concepts and applications of ergonomics and kinetics as two ingredients and concept generators with problem-based learning techniques into architectural designing. Reflections about the project and its outcomes are reported and discussed. The results indicate that considerations of ergonomics, flexibility, mobility and responsiveness in dynamic structures and their interactions with users can enrich and optimize generated designs. Similarly, the application of problem-based designing approach seems to foster critical thinking of participants and improve their involvement in collaborative design processing.