IDFX Human Behavior Flashcards
Design Theory
a way to direct design based on a system of beliefs or philosophy
Historic Precedent
A common approach to design theory is to base current design on ideas and styles of the past
Environmental Design Research
focuses on theories of the interaction between humans and their environment. It attempts to develop an approach to rational design based on scientific research rather than personal philosophies.
Evidence Based Design (EBD)
basing design decisions on credible research that links one or more environmental elements with a desired outcome
Functionalism
places emphasis on providing simple, rational solutions to design problems without extraneous decoration. (Le Corbusier)
Gestalt Theory (Theory of Perception)
states that humans innately perceive things as whole so that what is perceived is complete and comprehensible.
Simultaneous contrast
The same color appears to change depending on the background color its seen against
Grouping (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
humans perceive separate units in the visual field as a group
Closure (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
tendency to perceive incomplete forms as complete
Continuity (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
tendency to see a line or shape as continuing in a particular direction rather than making a sharp turn
Simplicity (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
states that people prefer the simplest, most stable organization of forms or the overall structure of elements in the visual field rather than complex individual parts
Figure Ground (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
refers to the way people distinguish a form (the figure) from its surroundings (the ground)
Perceptual Constancy
people perceive an object or space as essentially the same regardless of the exact image on the eye.
Shape constancy
people perceive objects as having their original shape regardless of a change in orientation of the object or the point of view of the observer
Size constancy
people tend to perceive an object as having the same size regardless of the changes in viewing distance to the object.
Lightness constancy
people perceive the lightness or darkness of an object as the same regardless of the illumination of the space in which the object is viewed
Color constancy
people perceive the color of an object as the same regardless of the lighting conditions under which the object is viewed.
Interposition
a distant object may appear to be overlapped and partly hidden by a closer object
Linear Perspective
Parallel lines will appear to recede toward a single point in the distance
Atmospheric Perspective
because of small particles in the air, more distant objects appear to be hazy and may change color.
Texture Perspective
The density of a texture seems to increase as the distance from the viewer increases
Social and Cultural Influences
People’s cultural and social backgrounds affect their response to design. Political conditions, economic conditions, cultural attitudes, symbolism, regionalism
Behavior Setting
particular place with definable boundaries and objects in which a standing pattern of behavior occurs at a particular time
Territoriality
peoples need to lay claim to the spaces they occupy and the things they own (personalization of space)
Proxemics
created by Edward T Hall to describe the interrelated observations and theories about how people use space as a specialized elaboration of culture. Deals w/issues of spacing between people, territoriality, org. of space, and positioning of people in space, all relative to the culture
Halls 4 basic distances of human behavior
- intimate distance - physical contact to 6”-18” - Only allowed under specific conditions
- Personal Distance - 18” to 4’ - people usually keep at least this distance between them and others
- Social Distance - 4’ to 12’ - most interpersonal business, work and other interactions take place
- Public Distance - 12’ outward - greatest formality, allows for escape if needed
Status
an individuals location or position within the environment can also communicate status (corner office, head of table…)
Form
A basic shape and configuration of an object or space (generalized as cylindrical, flat, square, round etc.)
Additive Color
Colors created with light
Primary colors of light
red, green and blue
Primary colors of pigments
red, yellow, and blue
Brewster color system (AKA Prang)
shows three primary colors and then other colors from primary colors being mixed (color wheel)
Munsell color system
Uses three scales in three dimensions to specify values of hue, value and chroma of color.
Value - the degree of lightness or darkness
Chroma - saturation (how gray or pure it is)
Hue - main color
Complementary colors
opposite on color wheel
- when seen together they heighten each others saturation
- when non complements are seen together, they appear to tint each other with its own complement
- two primary colors seen together tend to appear tinted with the third primary
- background color will absorb same color in a second, non complementary color placed over it
Psychology of color
Many cultures hold meaning with colors red = danger or stop cool colors = restful and quiet warm colors = active and stimulating red = exciting and hot yellow = cheerful greens = nature blue = calm
Colors w/spacial perception
bright warm colored objects look bigger
dark colors objects look smaller and heavier
light neutral colors extend the space
dark values make a room feel smaller
color schemes
monochromatic - same hue different intensity/value
analogous - hues close to each other on color wheel
complementary - opposite sides of color wheel
triad - 3 colors evenly spaced on color wheel
tetrad - 4 colors equally spaced around wheel
Texture
actual - can be sensed by touch visual - imagined when looking at it affected by nearby textures changes based on viewing distance lighting affects the way it looks too
Harmony
agreement of the parts to each other and to the whole . All parts work together to reinforce the overall design concept
Rhythm
repetition of elements in a regular pattern
Emphasis and Focus
dominant vs subordinate elements of a space to create a design that enhances hierarchies and provides focus to important features
Contrast
the way we perceive the difference between things. Creates importance and adds interest and variety to environment.
Proportion
relationship between one part of an object or composition and another part and to the whole or between one element and another
Fibonacci Series
A sequence of numbers beginning with 0 and 1 to create the golden ratio.
Modular system
proportioning system loosely based on golden ratio but uses the human body as a starting point
ADA/ABA
The design requirements for construction are mainly found in the 2004 Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines which replaced the ADA/ADAAG
Multifamily housing accessibility codes
regulated mainly by the Federal Housing Act and by state laws
ICC A117.1
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
apply to facilities required to comply with the ADA, including places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government facilities.
accessible route
a continuous, unobstructed path connecting all accessible elements and spaces in a building or facility. Includes corridors, doorways, floors, ramps, elevators, lifts, and clear floor space at fixtures
Minimum clear width for accessible routes
36” continuously
32” at doorways/passages no longer than 24” long
60” for two wheelchairs
minimum clear floor space for one wheelchair
30” x 48”
60” dia. circle turn space
accessible route slope
1:20 (1” rise for every 20” distance) or 5%
a slope greater than this is classified as a ramp
Accessible doorways
min clear opening of 32”
max depth is 24”
depth>24” needs clear width of 36”
thresholds cannot exceed 1/4” vertical change
Maneuvering Clearances at Doors
Front Pull - 60” tall & 18” side
Front Push - 48” tall & 12” side
Hinge Pull - 60” tall & 36” side
Hinge push - 42” tall (48” w/closer) & 54” wide
Latch Pull - 48” tall (54 w/closer) & 24” side
Latch Push - 42” tall & 24” side
Accessible elevation changes
<1/4” are okay
1/4”>1/2” must be beveled
>1/2” would need to be a ramp
Accessible Toilet Stalls
door clearance of 32” (door swing outwards)
Grab bars mounted from 33” - 36”
1 ambulatory stall req. at >6 stalls
9” toe clearance below partitions
centerline of toilet 16-18” away from wall
56” x 60” clear space for toilets
tp dispenser centerline 7” - 9” in front of toilet
tp dispenser centerline between 15”-48” a.f.f.
Accessible Urinals
max. rim height @ 17” a.f.f.
clear floor space of 30” x 48”
urinal shields w/ 29” between them
Accessible Lavatories/Sinks
exposed pipes below sink must be insulated
lever, push, or automatic faucets permitted
b.o. reflective surface of mirrors @ 40” a.f.f.
max. height of lav. or sink is 34” a.f.f.
9” tall x 6” deep toe clearance
29” tall x 8” deep knee clearance
17” min depth from front of sink to wall
Accessible Drinking Fountains
clear floor space in front of 30” x 48”
spout 5” max. from front edge of unit
one drinking fountain for ada one regular
Accessible Bathtubs
must have in tub seat or seat at head of tub
grab bars required
60” wide x 48” deep floor space for in tub seat
length of tub + 12” wide x 30” deep clear space for seat at head of tub
Accessible Showers
seat req. in smaller shower stalls
folding seat req. in larger shower stalls
grab bars req. at 33” - 36” a.f.f.
Accessible Floor Surfaces
stable, firm & slip resistant
-carpet needs firm cushion or backing w/no cushion with a level loop, level cut pile, or level uncut pile w/ max. pile height of 1/2”
Accessible Ramps
ramp slope no greater than 1:12
max. rise for any ramp is 30” (landing req if >)
36” min. clear width w/ matching landings
if ramp changes directions, landing must be 60” wide
handrails req. if rise>6” or lengths>72”
top handrail from 34” - 38”
dia. of handrails from 1.25” - 1.5”
Accessible Stairs
max. riser 7”
min. tread 11”
open risers not permitted on acc. stairs
non acc. stairs can have open risers that do not allow 4” sphere to pass through
1.5” max. nosing w/ 60 degree radius
nosing not included in 11” tread depth
handrails extend at top 12” min.
handrails extend at bottom 1 tread depth
handrails at 34-38” a.f.f. w/ 1.25”-1.5” dia.
space between wall and handrails of 1.5”
Protruding Objects
if >27” off the floor it cannot protrude more than 4”
if <27” off the floor a clear width for walking must be provided next to it
things protruding above must be 80” above ground
Detectable Warning
surface feature in or applied to walking surfaces or other elements to warn of hazards on a circulation path.
0.2” high truncated domes spaces between 1.6” and 2.4” on center in a square grid pattern
Signage and Alarms
signage req. for visually impaired
emergency warning signals (visual and Audible) req.
15dB min.
Mounting height of signage is 48” min and 60” max
Accessible Seating
for fixed seating 5% and not less than one table of seating areas must be accessible
in assembly settings, at least 1% of all fixed seats must be aisle seats with no armrests on aisle side - one companion seat must be provided next to each wheelchair area
