A broader consideration of human factor to enhance sustainable building design

The link between ergonomic/human factor and sustainability seems to be clearly evidenced mainly in relation to social dimension of sustainability, in order to contribute to assure corporate social responsibility and global value creation. But the will to establish an equilibrated connection among used resources in human activities, supported by the sustainability perspective, evidences that the contribution of ergonomics/human factors can be effectively enlarged to other aspects, especially in relation to building design. In fact a sustainable building is meant to be a building that contributes, through its characteristics and attribute, to a sustainable development by assuring, in the same time, a decrease of resources use and environmental impact and an increase of health, safety and comfort of the occupants. The purpose of this paper is to analyze in a broader sense the contribution of ergonomic/human factor to design of sustainable building, focusing how ergonomics principles, methodology and techniques can improve building design, enhancing its sustainability performance during all phases of building lifecycle

The Optimization of Ergonomic / Human Factor Principles in Housing Design: A Literature Survey

The nexus between ergonomic (human factor) and housing design and occupants’ satisfaction is essential for housing quality. The need for housing that is comfortable, functional, safe and decent cannot be over emphasized. These can be realized with the application of ergonomic / human factor principles in housing design. This paper examined the critical issues that promote the application of ergonomic/ human factor principles in housing design. They include the following: Comfort and Efficiency in housing design, Users’ participation in building designs; the role of ergonomic / human factors in architectural design and the relationship between ergonomic / human factors in sustainable housing designs. The paper made use of library research method, which involved critical review of related literature relevant to the study. The articles were analyzed descriptively. Suggestions that would help in the realization of human factors in housing designs and construction were made. The paper concludes that occupants’ satisfaction could be increased and enhanced when architects and other professionals in the built environment give adequate consideration to ergonomic / human factor principles in their building designs. Keywords: Ergonomics, Human factors, housing design, Occupants’ Satisfaction and housing quality. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-4-09 Publication date: April 30th 201