Designing the built environment based on ergonomics principles

Abstract Ergonomics studies applied to the built environment are aimed at adapting environments to the activities performed in them and to the desires of users. Traditionally, ergonomics analyses pre-existing situations. However, recent studies have been incorporating principles of ergonomics in design processes, as a strategy to anticipate solutions to problems and to include users in decision-making processes. This article discusses the systematisation of the built environment design process including ergonomics principles. The aim is to demonstrate how conventional design methods can be enhanced in order to include users’ opinions and needs in the design stages. The research method is based on Design Science Research (DRESCH; LACERDA; ANTUNES JUNIOR, 2015) and on two ergonomic analysis approaches: Ergonomic Methodology for the Built Environment (VILLAROUCO, 2009, 2011) and on the ergonomic design stages of Attaianese and Duca (2012). This paper presents theoretical and practical approaches and ergonomics parameters for the built design. The results point to a way of design thinking that is based on understanding pre-existing problems of similar environments, on the active participation of users in the design process and on tailoring the built environment to human activities.