ANTHROPOMETRY

in
ARCHITECTURE

Aquino, Jeriza M.
2020-40471
INTRODUCTION

Anthropometry

Anthropometry is the science of obtaining

systematic measurements of the human
body. Anthropometry first developed in
the 19th century as a method employed by
physical anthropologists for the study of
human variation and evolution in both
living and extinct populations. In
particular, such anthropometric
measurements have been used historically
as a means to associate racial, cultural,
and psychological attributes with
physical properties. Specifically,
anthropomorphic measurements involve the
size (e.g., height, weight, surface area,
and volume), structure (e.g., sitting vs.
standing height, shoulder and hip width,
arm/leg length, and neck circumference),
and composition (e.g., percentage of body
fat, water content, and lean body mass)
of humans.
Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914)
Alphonse Bertillon was the son of
the physician and founder of the
Society of Anthropology of Paris,
Louis-Adolphe Bertillon. Although
the process of obtaining human
measurements had originated in
ancient civilizations, Alphonse
Bertillon credited as the father
of anthropometrics based on his
classification system known as the
“anthropometric system” or
“judicial anthropometry”. Alphonse
Bertillon is working for the Paris
police force in the criminal
records department, where he
recognized the recurring problem
that it was becoming increasingly
more difficult to identify repeat
offenders, as the criminal records
were stored alphabetically and
many criminals were devising
aliases in order to avoid
deportation and harsher sentences.

To address this issue, Bertillon devised a new

classification system based on anthropomorphic measurements
with the assumptions that bone density is fixed past the age
of 20 years, and human dimensions are intrinsically highly
variable. Bertillon obtained measurements of height,
breadth, foot size, length and width of the head, length of
the middle finger, and the length of the left forearm, as
well as other morphological and distinguishing
characteristics of criminals in custody. He then classified
each individual as small, medium, or large, and added
frontal and profile photography to each file. Such
photography is still currently used today in the form of a
“mug shot”. Paris criminology department implemented
Bertillon’s system, this method of classification was used
to quickly and easily identify unknown individuals and
repeat offenders. The use of this anthropometric system was
subsequently termed “Bertillonage” and spread rapidly
throughout the world during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
 The History of
Anthropometry
Ancient Anthrometric Measurements

The ancient civilizations of Rome,

Greece, and Egypt primarily used
anthropometric measurements for cultural
purposes (e.g., artwork) to represent
beauty, power, and other desirable
attributes of the human form. Symmetry was
particularly desirable, and units of
measurement often consisted of the “width
of a human hand” or length of a human
foot”.

Anthropomorphic Measurements During the

Renaissance

Artists during the renaissance applied

anthropometric measurements to artistic
works by applying human proportions. One of
the most famous examples, is the works of
the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci
(depicted below with the famous Vitruvian
Man), who obtained measurements of the
human body by analyzing cadavers. Other
artists relied on live models and
historical achieves to obtain accurate
anthropometric measurements.
 The History of
Anthropometry
Vitruvian Man
The Vitruvian Man was created by Leonardo da Vinci around the
year 1487. It is accompanied by notes based on the work of the
famed architect, Vitruvius Pollio. The drawing, which is in pen
and ink on paper, depicts a male figure in two superimposed
positions with his arms and legs apart and simultaneously
inscribed in a circle and square. The drawing and text are
sometimes called the Canon of Proportions or, less often,
Proportions of Man.

The proportional
relationship of the parts
reflects the universal
design. And a "medical"
equilibrium of elements
ensures a stable structure.
These qualities are thus
shared equally by God's
creation of the human body
and the human being's own
production of a good
building. In the late 1480s,
this theme of the artistic
microcosm emerged as one of
the great unifying
principles of his thought.
This architectural
application is not the end
of the matter, however; it
only represents the
beginning of a concept which
had a literally universal
application.

This image provides a perfect example of Leonardo's keen

interest in proportion. In addition, this picture represents a
cornerstone of Leonardo's attempts to relate man to nature.
Encyclopaedia Britannica online states, "Leonardo envisaged the
great picture chart of the human body he had produced through
his anatomical drawings and Vitruvian Man as a cosmografia del
minor mondo (cosmography of the microcosm). He believed the
workings of the human body to be an analogy for the workings of
the universe."
 The History of
Anthropometry
Twentieth Century Anthropometrics

In the twentieth century, a subdiscipline of anthropometrics,

known as “morphometrics” was established to describe variations in
size and shape of humans within distinct populations. This method
involves the application of multivariate statistics to analyze
various biological landmarks to obtain characteristic shapes,
ratios, or angles. Today, the use of computers has resulted in the
evolution of morphometrics into the field of geometric
morphometrics which uses powerful computational modeling to
analyze various characteristics. Today, one of the most common
applications of geometric morphometrics is in the evaluation of
bone density.

Stature was commonly used as an anthropometric measurement of

human health as early as the eighteenth century for military,
slavery, and other productive purposes; however, while these early
assessments were generally based on eugenic theories, it was not
until the twentieth century that environmental and social
conditions were correlated with human anthropometric measurements.
In particular, it was found that North American immigrants
exhibited a shorter stature compared to the subsequent generations
born in the Americas. This observation lead to the use of
anthropometrics to assess nutrition and other socioeconomic
factors, particularly during growth and development. Today,
nutrition, infection, pollution, hypoxia, and various forms of
psychosocial stress are known to be associated with altered growth
patterns. Although a taller stature is an accurate indicator of
increased wealth, weight is an indicator of a poor socioeconomic
status in modern populations. Moreover, since nutrition has such a
strong correlation with body size, anthropometrics has also been
used to identify the impact of disease epidemics and times of
famine in historical records. Similarly, major events in human
history, such as the industrial revolution, the invention of
refrigeration, sanitation, vaccination, and other medical
advancements are also associated with changes in the
anthropometric traits of human populations.
Anthropometric Somatotypes
Anthropometric measurements can be used to describe
particular human physiques, known as somatotypes.
There are three main somatotypes as illustrated below
(endomorph, ectomorph, and mesomorph), although some
individuals may represent a hybrid of two somatotypes.

Endomorph

An endomorph refers to humans whose tissues are

predominantly derived from the endoderm, exhibited by
a soft, round shape, large digestive viscera, fat
accumulation, large trunk, and tapering extremities.

Ectomorph

Ectomorph refers to humans whose tissues are derived

primarily from the ectoderm, exhibited by a linear
body shape, large surface area, thin muscles and
subcutaneous tissue, and moderately developed
digestive viscera.

Mesomorph

A mesomorph refers to humans whose tissues are derived

primarily from the mesoderm, exhibited by increased
muscle, bone, and connective tissue. Such individuals
typically have a hard physique and rectangular shape,
intermediate between the endo- and ectomorph.
 Current Applications of Anthropometry
While physical anthropologists and criminologists continue to use
anthropometric measurements in the study of human evolution
through the comparison of novel fossil remains to archived
specimens and forensics, respectively, current applications have
extended to:
• Industrial design and architecture (e.g., vehicle seating and
cockpits)
• Clothing (e.g., military uniforms)
• Ergonomics (e.g., seating)
• Medicine (e.g., nutrition, aging, obesity, sports science, and
diabetes)
In these industries, anthropometric data is invaluable to the
optimization of various products and observing the changes which
occur in response to various lifestyle, genetic, and ethic
factors.

Anthropometry in Architectural Design

Anthropometry refers to the measurement of the size and
proportions of the human body. It derives from the Greek words
'anthropos' (meaning human), and 'metron' (meaning measure). While
the architects of the Renaissance saw the proportions of the human
figure as a reaffirmation that certain mathematical ratios
reflected the harmony of their universe, anthropometric
proportioning methods seek not abstract or symbolic ratios, but
functional ones. They are predicated on the theory that forms and
spaces in architecture are either containers or extensions of the
human body and should therefore be determined by its dimensions.

Average dimensions must always be treated with caution since

variations from the norm will always exist due to the difference
between men and women, among various age and racial groups, even
from one individual to the next. The dimensions and proportions of
the human body affect the proportion of things we handle, the
height and distance of things we try to reach, and the dimensions
of the furnishings we use for sitting, working, eating, and
sleeping. There is a difference between our structural dimensions
and those dimensional requirements that result from how we reach
for something on a shelf, sit down at a table, walk down a set of
stairs, or interact with other people. A special field that has
developed from a concern with human factors is ergonomics—the
applied science that coordinates the design of devices, systems,
and environments with our physiological and psychological
capacities and requirements. In addition to the elements that we
use in a building, the dimensions of the human body also affect
the volume of space we require for movement, activity, and rest.
 Anthropometry in Architectural Design

Two basic areas in

anthropometry
1. Static anthropometry

Static anthropometry is a body size

measurement carried out when the
condition of one’s body is at rest
or in a static state. In addition,
measurements can be made when the
body is using devices such as
chairs, tables, beds, mobility
devices, and so on.

2. Functional anthropometry

In contrast to static
anthropometry, functional
anthropometry is a measurement of
human motion related to the
completion of tasks, moves, and
matters related to the use of space
and equipment. For example, for
factory employees, measurements are
made when they are operating
equipment in the room.

The use of anthropometry in

building design aims to ensure that
everyone has as much comfort as
possible while doing work. The use
of these practices in architecture
means that the design used must be
in accordance with the shape of the
human body. This is considered
important because building design
should be made to adjust the
dimensions of the human body, not
vice versa. Or in other words, the
human dimension inspires the
dimensions of the building.
 Anthropometry in Architectural Design
Anthropometric Databases
Anthropometric datasets compare
people of different ages and
occupations. Data in
anthropometric databases may
represent static dimensions, such
as “lower leg length” or
functional dimensions such as
“reach.”
Considerations
When using anthropometric
measurements in design, consider
two points:
1. How recently data was collected
2. Type of population measured

First, some data may have been collected over 25 years ago, and
measurements such as height or weight may have changed in the current
population. Secondly, the population one is designing for may not be
represented by the anthropometric database being referenced. For
example, ANSUR data may not be applicable in designing a table used by
elderly individuals. Anthropometric measurements should be a guide for
design. Anthropometric data is regularly updated to reflect changes in
the population.

Difficulties in Anthropometric Application into Building

Architecture
For architects who are trying to apply anthropometry to building
architecture, one of the difficulties that arises is about the
dimensional data of the human body. This is explained by the size of
the human body varying according to age, gender, race and even socio-
economic factors. So the measurements taken also vary, then the
measurement is not only static but dynamic. because architects must
have body dimension data when someone moves, does activities or
participates in work.

Anthropometric Tools
To obtain anthropometric measurements, a variety of specialized tools
are used:
Stadiometers: height
Anthropometers: length and circumference of body segments
Biocondylar calipers: bone diameter
Skinfold calipers: skin thickness and subcutaneous fat
Scales: weight
Although the majority of the instruments appear straight forward to
use, a high level of training is required to achieve high validity and
accuracy of measurements.
 Anthropometry in Architectural Design

Ergonomics
Economics as it applies to anthropometric
measurements is derived from the understanding
that every aspect of human life involves
activity (e.g., leisure, work, family,
education, spirituality, and physical/exercise).
As such, specific tools and equipment are
required for each activity. Ergonomics is the
industry centered around the design and creation
of these instruments through the evaluation of
human comfort, movement, and other
anthropometric measurements. Typically, optimal
design is created with an interdisciplinary team
involving anthropologists, psychophysicists, and
physiologists. Ergonomic designs are tested with
a series of experiments which involves:
1. Obtaining anthropometric measurements to
derive “ergonomic dimensions” of posture and
movement.
2. Recording the subjective feelings of comfort
that the individual experiences when using the
equipment.
3. Evaluating the ability of the instrument to
perform the desired activity.

Making Ergonomic Room Designs in a Home Shelter

When designing a home environment, for example, an architect needs to
take into account the most comfortable and efficient ways to work
around space, but still maintain an attractive design for the area. In
the kitchen, for example, there needs to be enough space to move
freely, but it can easily reach various cabinets, drawers and
utilities easily.

In addition, the ergonomic

innovation for the kitchen space
is the kitchen working triangle,
where the three main work
functions of the kitchen, namely
refrigerators, sinks and stoves,
are within close proximity to
one another but not close enough
to make someone feel controlled
and uncomfortable so that they
can work efficiently in space.
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https://biologydictionary.net/anthropometry/

Designing Buildings Wiki.(2021, April 11).Anthropometrics

in Architectural Design.
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in_architectural_design

Ching, F D.K.(2007). Architecture Form, Space, and Order.

(3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Leonardo Da Vinci. (2011).Vitruvian Man.

https://www.leonardodavinci.net/the-vitruvian-
man.jsp#prettyPhoto

Solo Abadi.(2019,May 27).Anthropometry in Architecture

Some Things You Need To Know.
https://soloabadi.com/en/anthropometry-in-architecture-
some-things-you-need-to-know/

Solo Abadi.(2019, May14). What Is The Role Of

Anthropometry In
Architecture.https://soloabadi.com/en/what-is-the-role-of-
anthropometry-in-architecture/