ANTHROPOMETRY
THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE BODY
WHAT IS ANTHROPOMETRY
ABOUT?
Anthropometry simply means "measurement
of people". The word is derived from the
Greek ‘anthros’ meaning man, and ‘metron’
meaning measure.
In short, anthropometry is about the
measurements of the human body.
BODY AND SPACE
Space and our body is like 2 sides
of the same coin, if we do not
understand our body, we will not
be able to deal with space
BODY
A physical being that
occupies space and time
beyond the spatial
constitution.
We ae able to understand and experience the
forms and space around us with our senses.
• The body is the building blocks of all formulations about the world
• It not only occupies the space and time but it also consists of spatiality and
temporality
• The body have a definite dimension
• When undergoing motions it polarizes external reality and becomes our tool for
measurements
• Hence our body experience “geo-metrical”. The extension of this experience is carry
above and beyond the spatiality constitutes of our body and mind into architectural
design
SPACE AND BODY IN ARCHITECTURE
• The unit contains activities to show the student the significance
of how the human body is related to architecture. Architecture
is a visual art but its also important to for the student to
experience it. The students relate their body experiences to the
spatial feelings and thoughts that they have in their homes,
with a special emphasis given to their bedroom and the
arrangement of individual space.
The over-all focus of the unit therefore will be on personal space which can be identified
on the interior and exterior of the homes where the students reside. The students will
compare their home with human characteristics to begin to get a feel for the relationship
between their body-space and architectural space.
The next step is t have the students measure the actual physical space in their homes. In
order to do this the students will take body measurements or self-made rulers and
measure the dimensions of their house. The dimensions will used in the process of
making an accurate floor plan and using the correct symbols in it. From this point the
student should have an understanding of their home space and the human relationship
with it.
The concentration is now directed at their own bedrooms and proposals for a fantasy
bedroom.
They are able to constructively use their imaginations, The students can imagine anything
they want. Changes in their bedroom will include playing with colors, textures, patterns
and collages according to the individual idea or feeling.
• Architecture is a visual art in which we experience
three dimensional space. The art of a building is
foremost concerned with form and with dividing
and articulating space.
• A building should express their uniqueness and
bring order and relation to its surrounding
environment. A house occupies a space but with
occupants and time it will become a place. The
visual beauty includes lines, shapes, and color.
Color is used to accentuate its form and the
material it is made from, as well as distinguishing
its division of space. Rooms which are shape
differently with different materials reflects
different qualities. We express feelings from an
architectural form or a specific aspect of
architecture. The external features of architectures
communicate feelings and moods from one place
to another. Our emotional feelings toward where
we live can be incorporated in our architecture
• The awareness of our bodies can be related to the place where we live. There is
a comparison of our bodies to our home through the dimensions of front , back,
sides, top and bottom surfaces. The entrance to the front or front door, is the
most important because that is where the exchange from the internal world and
the outside world take place. The back is used for private spaces. The centre of
family activities, or heart, there is a special central area where family gatherings
and important photographs or memorabilia are displayed on a mantle or other
important place. Windows in a house are important because they are like our
eyes outreaching to the external world. There should be a relaxed interchange
between the inside and the outside world in which we live.
