Presentation given at Philadelphia’s Second Annual World Usability Day, "User Experience beyond the Web.

Mitchell, James E.

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Building Usability
Issues that architects 
and engineers face 
while designing 
buildings that are 
usable, accessible, 
and enhance overall 
user experience.
A Bit About Me
z Trained as Engineer & 
Architect
z Principal of Architectural 
firm for 9 years
 Jordan-Mitchell , Inc.
 We specialized in health 
care, banks and 
z 1988 Joined Drexel to 
build the brand new 
Architectural Engineering 
program
z Teach Architectural 
Engineering Design
 And lots of other things
 Play with web – many 
sites
A Tour of Drexel University
What did you see?
What I had in mind
zSome issues of building usability
New building - Famous architects –
Pei, Cobb, Freed
Stair to an empty terrace
Entrance – That usually doesn’t open
Hazardous corner
Unused, 
expensive space
No provision for trash
Stair with unsettling motion
Existing Building - Strange Fire 
Cabinet
Confusing Signs
Fan to fight summer heat
Telltale to visualize air flow
Sweaters for Winter Cold
Uncontrollable Thermostat
What are Your Pet Peeves about 
Buildings?
http://www.baddesigns.com/mopsnk.html
What happens when YOU “get it 
wrong”
z “Frustration” is the usual answer for 
computer programs.
zMay lose money
In buildings we can kill or maim
z Hyatt Regency Hotel
z 114 Dead
z 200 Injured
z July 17, 1981
http://www.engr.utexas.edu/wep/COOL/AcidRiver/allaboutbridges_Disasters_hyatt.htm
Padlocked fire Exit
z Whose usability 
does this address?
http://www.holidaytravelwatch.net/Content/ContentImages/New%20Photos%20-%2023.9.05/Playa_Honda_padlocked_exit.jpg
What’s Different about Buildings?
zMany simultaneous users doing 
different, unpredictable (in detail) things
zMany different user types
zAll senses involved
zPhysical motion
z Long time span – Up to 1000s of years
Building Stakeholders
z Builders
 Owners
 Architects
 Engineers
 Contractors
z Operators
 Maintenance
 Security
 Emergency
 Housekeeping
z Government
z Occupants = “Users”
How do building designers strive for 
Usability?
z Codes
 Zoning
 Building
 Aesthetic
 Environmental
 Life Safety
 Health
 Disabilities
z Standards
 Materials
• Steel
• Concrete
• ++++
 Layout
• Graphics Standards
ADA – Amercian with Disabilities
z Accessible
 Clearances
 Slopes
 Steps
z Like the web 
disabilities 
requirements, but 
more inclusive
Licensing
z Who
 Architects
 Engineers
z Steps
 Education
 Internship
 Exams
http://are-solutions.com/noframes/fail_nf.htm
What affects Usability in Buildings?
z Stakeholder’s different interests
z Money – some things cost more
z Knowledge – or lack of it
z Legal Fear
z Time – usually = money
 Designers
 Contractors
z Existing conditions – very important in 
buildings
Are there connections between our 
fields?
z Yes
 Computers are 
increasingly used 
throughout design
 They are used 
increasingly to build 
operate buildings
 Our concerns about 
safety will be 
increasingly yours
z No
 We operate in a 
more complex 
domain
 We must address 
more senses
Are there lessons from our field
zStandards and Codes
zAnalytic vs. visual creators – necessity 
of both
zBig changes may well come from 
disasters
z Don’t forget people – it’s easy to do so
Questions?
Laon Cathedral


Building usability: Issues that architects and engineers face while designing buildings that are usable, accessible, and enhance overall user experience

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Building usability: Issues that architects and engineers face while designing buildings that are usable, accessible, and enhance overall user experience

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