Human Factor and Anthropometric in Islamic Civilization

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Evaluation
Case studies
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Abstract

The flow of human factors in the sphere of ergonomics and its constituent parts is rather significant for today’s society. It is emphasized with the traditional constituent parts in a definite art due to current tendencies representing the cultural diversity and evaluating its peculiarities. A point of originality in this or that kind of cultural heritage in the field for the expression of feelings and aesthetical satisfaction. The art of architecture and its core elements is closely related to society because of the direct implementation of artifacts. The human factor is a thing that matters when speaking about a flow in the culture of a definite period of time. This is outlined with people’s mentality and type of outlook on the world’s reality. These psychological factors play a significant role in the estimation of interior and exterior design and its ergonomics for definite people. This paper is dedicated to pointing out the Islamic tendency of the issue underlined. Concepts of ergonomics in interior and exterior parts of buildings along with human factors having impacted on them are under analysis. What is more, a method of descriptive analysis is used in the paper, so that to investigate the procedures about Islamic design and building environment along with the prospects on advantages and limitations. Moreover, the structure of the paper is varied in the determination of design, space, and human implementation of actions understood in a close connection toward facilitation of work and usage of ergonomic decisions in living spaces.

Evaluation

Islamic culture does not exclude the points of human factors in terms of ergonomic implementation. First of all, it should be mentioned here that the tradition to adhere to any kind of design details is considered with functionality and purpose of this or that ergonomic design. Jon Lang (Lang, 1987) writes in his book: “The basic concern of urban designers is with what constitutes a healthy milieu, and the anthropometrics and ergonomics of urban form – with what has traditionally been called the functional purpose of design.” (p. 222)

Human factors are concerned in this prospect with the social, geographical, and religious dimensions. This is the main idea of how the Islamic architectural thought had been elaborated since that time and the theme of anthropometrics which influenced it as well. The word ergonomics comprises two meanings, such as ergon/egos (work) and nomos (n.) (law‐control and orderly assignment). Ergonomics then is the “Science of work”.

The Islamic architecture as well as the attitude of Muslims toward space dimensions is in most cases a result of religious impacts. The medieval Arabic tradition implement mainly smooth lines in coloring and shaping facades of buildings and a strict and rather obvious tendency to insert grids ornamented in a manner of flowery pictures. Moreover, the vogue tendencies of the past are still significant and considered by a vast majority of designers in the Islamic world. Islam encompasses a great area where multiple peoples are mixed as well as referred to different countries, not only Arabic ones. This presupposes the fact of anthropometric parameters.

“Much of the available material is based almost exclusively on outdated trade practices or on the personal judgments of those preparing the standards. With few exceptions, most reference standards are simply not predicated on enough hard anthropometric data” (Panero & Zelnik, 1979,p. 12 ).

Here the human factor designates the reference of a definite peculiarity in the manner of representation and accumulation of main details when building a masterpiece of Oriental architecture. Panero and Zelnik (Panero & Zelnick, 1979) evaluate such an approach of human intrusion in terms of an “average man,” which is reliable and assured in the significance of following the main trends in the building environment. The ergonomics of the Islamic traditional building environment is its distinctive feature which can be outlined due to the incorporation of several sciences, such as physiology, biology, psychology, and design. The rapid growth of ergonomics in the second half of the twentieth century prescribed more emphasis on the Islamic tradition in design ornamenting. Pheasant & Haslegrave (Pheasant & Haslegrave, 2005) outline in their book Bodyspace the following understanding of a definite human factor applied in various artifacts, namely the author’s outline: “In anthropometrics, a constraint is an observable, preferably measurable, characteristic of human beings, which has consequences for the design of a particular artifact” (p. 25). Safety in the workplace and at home is important, and a lack of congruence can simply predetermine an accident. That is why the role of anthropometry plays a great role. It concerns various dimensions of a human being in terms of the physiology and decrease of stress on the body made during different activities. The two approaches should be taken into account while adhering to ergonomics in anthropometric prospects, namely: static and dynamic (Sanders, 1993). Skeletal dimensions measures, contour dimensions, sitting height are significant for the static parameter. In the dynamic approach clearance dimensions, reach, and placing of different parts of the body should be counted on.

With regards to the above-mentioned tradition of Islam, there are several main factors which are emphasized in the historical cut and in present time with the reliance towards a peculiar thing as of the mentality and main values of Muslims, such as ethnicity. In building environments from small to large buildings, the Islamic tradition designates 5 approaches depicting the genuine nature of Arabic architecture full of spiritual content with cultural characteristics. Among these five are:

A focus on the internal, cohesive family and its values.
Consideration for neighbors and the wider society.
A lack of ostentation.
A distinction between public and private roles and realms.
Conservation of the environment and the wise use of its resources. (Islamic Design, 2009)

A great realization of both fabulous and hilarious motives makes the Islamic building environment tradition divided into several classical orders implemented in the estimation of an above-mentioned kind, namely: “Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite.” (Islamic Design, 2009) These five classical types are connected closely in their historical and social reliance. They are characterized by an original and vivid manner of describing details and making life in the desert, particularly, more convenient and free for different activities. Thus, one of the features is the structural side of execution and implementation in the building environment which surely designates the Islamic approach toward human factors and anthropometry from other types of thought maintained in other parts of the world. This is concerned with the up-to-down sequence of constituent parts which are definitely connected with the human factor of people struggling from the heat. Three parts are meant here, namely: “cornice, frieze, and architrave.” (Islamic Design, 2009) The ethnic physiology and zones of climate peculiarities determine the structural and functional decisions of architectural design with additional glimpses on technical evaluation of furniture and accessories.

Moreover, manner to depict peculiar things in social milieu is developed with due regard for ancient traditions of Persian, Palestine, or Jordanian significant technical implementations for better circulation of air in a building. Here one should point out not only the Islamic framework of the issue but, first of all, the epoch of pre-Islamic development of peoples have inhabited the area of the Gulf and Palestine. One cannot but admit a simple and logical truth that the background of mind determines the background of surroundings and vice versa, but the role of mentality is still very high when speaking of the anthropometry and peculiarities of Muslims as they are. Furthermore, the flow of Islamic culture to maximum area and functional easiness of materials use and dimension inside building environment is underlined due to the average height of such people which achieves a middle range, and because of the religious points of Muslims’ magnificence among other peoples.

Case studies

An article by Charlotte Butterfield Office Politics describes the newly accepted tendencies of placing people in the workspace in terms of gaining more productivity and profits out of work. The author describes the use of ergonomics while testing and developing appropriate shapes of furniture details. Butterfield also points out a trend of today’s society to work with computers and spend more time at them (Butterfield, 2006). That is why the workstations along with the additional help of rightly chosen chairs, the height of tables, and level of displays are emphasized for the contemporary workplace. Bad ergonomics of the workspace can cause pain in the body and lessening productivity, as a result. The author provides a necessity of ergonomic intervention in cellular offices so that to strengthen the health parameters of people working at the computer in terms of musculoskeletal disorders (Butterfield, 2006).

Providing a wider outlook on the theme of furniture and its history for the fulfillment of space in ancient times Kim Gurr, Leon Straker, and Phillip Moore give a deeper understanding of “seating” theoretical and practical approach as of pre-Islamic times and survey on the furniture details in The Ancient Mesopotamian Era. The use of stools and chairs was wide in ancient times. That was concerned with the evidence excavated previously. The authors point out that people in Mesopotamia “…lived at ground level, upon mats and rugs with little more than cushions to give support” (Hayward, 1975) p. 284 (Cited in Gurr, Straker & Moore, 1983). Grid patterns and ornamentation were in that time similar to present-day Arabic ergonomically proved standards of furniture design. Moreover, sitting without a backrest in times of the Mesopotamian era was trendy, The relevance toward Egyptian manner of furniture representation is felt on examples of ancient Mesopotamians. Stools and chairs were significant artifacts for this epoch and left so throughout centuries in the contemporary cultural patterns of the contemporary area of the bygone Mesopotamian era.

Journal article by R. Brooks Jeffery entitled From Azulejos to Zaguanes: The Islamic Legacy in the Built Environment of Hispano-America describes a historical background of Islamic religion having appeared in Spain due to some historical changes in medieval times. The point is that the heritage of design matters of this layer of the Spanish population is prescribed with human factors considered with Islamic people living in modern Spain. Mudejar buildings in Sevilla and other significant places of Islamic culture representation point out the fact of building environment’s lack of legacy for people living in pro-Islamic regions of Spain. The features of ornamentation and decoration are outlined in the study. “The artesunate structural system” along with “trapezoidal sides” concluded with “the Spanish Islamic tendency to set a portal arch into an enveloping rectangular panel” and other vivid features in the interior and exterior approach provides magnificence and originality of this building environment of Muslims in Spain (Brooks, 2003, p. 290). “The Islamic legacy of open space” is seen in all examples of Islamic human factors in Spain, in Andalucía, Sevilla, and other regions (Brooks, 2003).

The extract from the book Materials for Interior Environments by Corky Binggeli provides vivid pictures of patterning in Islamic interior design as a result of a specific mindset of Muslims for decorating their houses. With glimpses on the traditional Islamic design, the author contemplates the use of different materials by Muslims for interior space, such as “iron, steel, bronze and brass, and gold and silver for chests, lamps, candlesticks, and furniture” (Bingelli, 2007, p. 150). Here the gravest examples of interior decoration are reckoned with the city of Damascus with the manner proper to people living there of putting thin layers of gold and silver over a wide range of ordinary metals. Such colorful exposition of interiors proposed also a wide use of metals for ergonomics of furniture with characteristic grid patterns and tables, in particular.

Discussion

Besides, ergonomic design according to Alan Hedge, professor of design at Cornell University, is that hidden factor that makes a straightforward influence on productivity in the workplace. (Lang, 2004) Human factors which are presented in Islamic culture can be evaluated in terms of more emphasis on work and its facilitation, ergonomics. Moreover, when one looks at the design of the most sacred for a Muslim building, meaning mosque, the picture of engineering and systematic extensiveness of space opens with clear and impressive shapes of the technical peculiarity of Islamic outlook on peoples’ conveniences inside some spaces. Thick walls made of different kinds of clay and ceramics prevent the building from vibration, heat, and noise. Broadbent & Spon evaluated this problem concerned with anthropometry and human factors, in particular in the following way, namely:

Above all, of course, we should look at urban layouts which display the unmistakable signs of labyrinthine planning, with tortuous, blind alleys, very narrow, often covered, and ending in private courtyards. We should look for typically Islamic discontinuities, irregular aggregations of houses, the all-of-a-piece organic planning which is so characteristic of Islam. (Broadbent & Spon, 1996, p. 19)

There are many examples of artifacts indicative of ergonomics combined with anthropometry in Islamic architecture. Most of them saved till present the significant and ornamented patterns of buildings’ parts and features of decorations maintained around or on the windows and doors. The ergonomic design comprises such aspects related to human factors as desires, complaints, or level of productivity, as was mentioned above. People strive to make more benefits for the community and themselves as constituent parts of social processes developing in it. As a result, any of the changes provided by individuals can be perceived and projected in various spheres of their lives and activities. This principle does not exclude the interpretation of anthropometry and cultural framework of different peoples in terms of its mere adherence to changes concerned with a flow of time.

The point of human perception of the space in this or that part of the world leaves many issues to be pointed out. Some of them define the main sources which serve to be the stimuli for the survey of the world vision and accumulate an argumentative base about the choice of dimension. Jon Lang (Lang, 1987) according to this piece of discussion outlined the real purposes and effects of architectural and design maintenance by using an entire approach towards peoples’ inner world and way of thinking presupposed with different types of mentality:

The urban design endeavor will never be the effortless, intuitive, artistic activity many architects want it to be if it is to create enjoyable worlds for the full spectrum of the population… Being an artist is an important role in society, and is part of all urban design work, but it should not be the central role for all designers, particularly urban designers, and certainly not the norm. (p. 11)

Conclusion

To sum up, the traditions and culture maintained within peoples confessing Islam, mainly those of the Arabic world, include the features of human factors in the issues of ergonomics and design. This is worked out due to the implementation of anthropometrical peculiarities as the main tool for making originality and more facilities of living in hard and cruel weather conditions observed in the Middle East. Various parameters considered with the anthropometry touch upon the manners of Muslims in the family and in the workplace. These points include hostility, care, and responsibility for relatives before Allah, etc. Such specific peculiarities of world vision reckoned with the Islamic people are concentrated on the inner desire of Muslims and Arabs, in particular, to urge for optimal and rational decisions in building environment and in designing features of the interior and exterior parts as well. Plenty of examples concerned with buildings’ examples are stressed with the parameters of destination, climate, religion, undoubtedly, and the level of development at the moment. Features of the Islamic style combine the traditional vision of what is needful for a Muslim and the modern tendencies and practices of using different materials so that to make up a place for convenient living.

References

Binggeli, C. (2007). Materials for Interior Environments. NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Broadbent, G. (1996). Emerging Concepts in Urban Space Design. E & FN Spon, London.
Butterfield, C. (2006). Office Politics.
Gurr, K., Straker, L., and Moore, P. (1983) History Of Seating: A History of Seating in the Western World.
Islamic design. (2009).
Jeffery, R. B. (2003). From Azulejos to Zaguanes: The Islamic Legacy in the Built Environment of Hispano-America. Journal of the Southwest, 45(1-2), 289+.
Lang, S. S. (2004). Ergonomics and Productive Workplaces: Human Factors Expert Influences Forklift Design. Human Ecology, 31(3), 22.
Lang, J. (1987). Creating architectural theory: The role of the behavioral sciences in environmental design: Van Nostrand Reinhold, NY.
Panero, J. & Zelnick, M. (1979). Human Dimension and Interior Space: A Source Book of Design. Reference Standards, Watson-Guptill, NY.
Pheasant, S. & Haslegrave, C. (2005) Body space: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, 3rd edition, CRC, London.
Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design, 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY.
Salvendy, G. (2006). Hand book of Human Factors and ergonomics, 3rd edition, Wiley.Lang, J., NY.
Shahnavaz, H. (2002). 15 Macroergonomic Considerations in Technology Transfer. In Macroergonomics: Theory, Methods, and Applications, Hendrick, H. W. & Kleiner, B. M. (Eds.) (pp. 311-322). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Zar, J. (1999). Biostatistical analysis, 4th edition,: prentice Hall, NJ.

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