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I've always used "Architectural Graphic Standards"
as my ready reference for the sizes of things, including people. Standards
for table and counter height, chair seat height, depth of chair seat from front
to back etc. are of prime importance in the design of things we use.
Unless you are measuring a specific individual's body for a custom
design, say a countertop height, we designers use a standard height and hope
everyone can reach that counter easily without reaching or stooping.
Several decades ago the auto industry revised
their standards for auto seat/door/headroom/legroom designs to accommodate "the
new, longer and bigger human". I believe that AGS was also modified.
This thread was picked up by several news magazines and they beat the
subject to death. It is historical, or archeological, that we
-Asians, North Africans, native Americans and Europeans - are bigger,
heavier and taller now than at any time in the last 5,000 years, and still growing! Our grandchildren are
likely to be bigger than us, and their grandchildren are likely to be
bigger than all of us.
It is important to look at the person for whom you are designing a home as
well as the future needs of our society. A good design with good traffic
flow, usable storage space, energy efficiency and multiple use areas will sell
well to a client and will have residual sales power for subsequent buyers.
If it doesn't have these features, it isn't "green" and will require too much
remodeling/redesigning to satisfy each subsequent buyer. I believe the
essence of good design anticipates future needs not just meets today's.
Lew Matt
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 1:01
PM
Subject: Re: [GBlist] minimum
clearances
On Tuesday, January 8, 2002, at 10:07 PM, Lewis J. Matt PhD
wrote:
John Salmen TERRAIN E.D.S. said: "I'm always amused at the
recommended
minimum clearances for toilets - generally enough to have a
few people join
you."
Those minimum clearances are there for a
very good reason.
Maybe. Unfortunately, there is no
analysis given in the code to determine for yourself. Some things are in code
because it was in one of the participants financial interest for it to be.
Without reasoning, it is impossible to determine if an exception is warranted
or even if a change is now required (due to recent changes). It is a prime
example of arguing by appeal to authority. "Since Aristotle is always right,
if I can quote the relevant section of his writings, I win the argument."
(Aristotle would have hated it.)
[off-topic pet peeve]
Concerning armor in museums. I (and many of my armor knowledgeable friends)
maintain that the armor in museum does not represent the average size armor
made. but rather the extremes, as the armor that fit more than one person was
used to destruction. Also armor is displayed shorter than it is worn.
Thank You Kindly,
Corwyn
--
Corwyn
corwyn@midcoast.com
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