http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Human development and capabilities as criteria for better functioning architecture
This report investigates the basic requirements, and indicates the progressive developments which attempt to (a) create a set of criteria, and (b) establish a basic building system for a form of better functioning architecture specifically in relation to physical access and physical use of a building. The long term objective of this research programme is a building system. It is proposed to develop this system to be adaptable and adjustable to complement (a) an architectural setting's activities, and (b) the physical capabilities of a setting's user(s) respectively. The goal of this professional report is the derivation of a set of criteria which will allow for physical performance by a larger proportion of people than the present criteria. The proposed criteria will be sufficient and necessary for the physical requirements of people aged seven to seventy, and with a wide range of physical ability. People have a general need for easy physical access to and use of buildings and their environs. The satisfaction of this need should be (a) as independent as possible of physical ability, and (b) completed with convenience, independence, safety, and dignity. To satisfy these requirements, it is considered necessary to reduce the complexity of the interface between man and the architectural settings. This reduction is achieved by minimizing the quality and the quantity of the levels in physical mobility and physical dexterity which are sufficient and necessary for physical performances in the physiosocial environment. The data for these criteria were synthesized from research in the fields of (a) architecture, (b) human factors, (c) psychology, (d) sociology, and (e) rehabilitation medicine. The architectural investigation addresses the present methodologies being applied to building design. It was found that the interface between man and architectural settings is potentially very difficult for people to cope with particularly when encumbered. The human factor analysis indicates the benefit of simplification and repetition in physical activities. The psychological studies into human development, particularly the work of Jean Piaget, reveal some basic aspects of cognitive skills required for physical performances. It is considered that these factors are important criteria for building designers to consider. User participation in building programming and design is considered essential for appropriate results from the function and economic properties of a building. John Zeisel has published some very useful material in this field of sociology in architecture. A field study was undertaken to explore the basic principles and features of the criteria which are developed from the existing methodologies. The more complex factors of the proposed criteria could not be investigated feasibly using the survey technique. A pretest indicated that physical capabilities are affected by (a) age, and (b) encumbrances on the body. However, psychosocial factors did not appear to affect physical ability. The survey document was distributed in various states of Australia and the United States of America. It surveyed a sample which was selected according to age, and no generalities can be made from the resultant data. After analysis of the data collected from the responses, it appears that (a) the surveyed people, when encumbered, in particular, do experience physical problems in their physical use of buildings, and (b) the surveyed people prefer components in a setting to be based on minimal physical capacities. This provides ample cause for the desirability of the full testing of the proposed criteria for better functioning architecture, with respect to physical performance. At this time, this study proposes a form of better functioning architecture which is limited to the minor performances in architectural settings until further stages may be completed. The minor performances are the general physical activities required for access to and movement in buildings. The denominators derived in this study suggests the average nine-year-old child as the criterion for minor performance. A denominator is a tool that marks out and makes known the manner of bodily action, the requirements for physical performance. The criterion is the rule or test by which opinion may be judged for the provision of sufficient and necessary opportunity for minor performance. This study does not address the problems that may be encountered in major performances but concentrates on the ways and means for a person to be permitted to arrive at (or depart from) any major performance site from (or to) any other destination with convenience, independence, safety, and dignity.