Ergonomic methodologies for the evaluation of built environment

Abstract

This paper dialogues with the "Question of method", the current issue of V!RUS journal, by explaining and discussing methods adopted in the fields of Ergonomics that have been introduced, in the last decades, into environmental studies. Methodologies of ergonomic analysis aim, first and foremost, to assess work situations. However, the adaptations and adjustments made for environmental studies have shown good results. The present study addresses three methodologies of ergonomics used to assess built environments. Hypotheses for the analysis of situations were made to demonstrate the application of these methodologies in all their stages and present the main results that can be extracted from them. The text deals with the relationship between ergonomics and architecture, which has been studied for some decades and provides elements to prompt and expand the discussion on this topic. The set of material presented fulfills the objective of identifying differences or similarities between different methodologies applied in ergonomic analyses of environments. Such studies are an integral part of research studies that develop, test, and validate tools for assessing environments focusing on Ergonomics.