Total Building Performance

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Question
Your client has asked your facilities management organisation to assess one of its new facilities.

The client works in the legal profession; the site comprises 3 floors of a multi-story building andis located in the CBD. They report poor staff morale,

attendance and productivity.

A) Detail the areas your organisation would focus on and explain their relevance.

B)What is the relevant knowledge you have brought to the consideration of these issues?

TBP 120 – Total Building Performance

Human Behavioural Response to the Built Topic
Environment 6

Introduction

This topic introduces you to the principles of human behavioural response
to the built environment taking into account quality of space, privacy and
utility, psychological factors and functionality.

Introduction

This topic examines how the office environment affects the occupants –
the users for whom the facility is to provide a productive workplace.

The physical office setting has pervasive but often subtle social and
psychological effects on thos e who work in it full ti me as well as on those
who use it for a few hours. The layout of the office space and where
people are located affect whom they are more likely to meet and how
they will interact. The availability of m eeting spaces, informal locales that
foster spontaneous discussions, an d even the size, light levels, and
furnishings of corridors affect the way people interact and, ultimately,
their contribution to the organization.

Health concerns in the office setting have become an important concern of
many office workers. When a serious health risk or illness related to the
quality of the office environment has developed, it has often escalated
rapidly to become a highly polarized and emotional dispute. The trauma of
the dispute and the resulting spiral of distrust can be more destructive
than the concerns at issue, seriously damaging the morale of an
organization. It is a pattern of behaviour commonly seen in chronic
technological disaster events (such as exposure to pollution and
radiation).

The office setting influences the quality and quantity of work that
occupants produce, their health and well-being, and psychosocial issues
such as cooperation among co-workers, motivation, stress, and fatigue.

The effects of thermal comfort, air quality, and acoustics on human
performance are examined. It is shown how knowledge of these
relationships can be used to make decisions about office quality and
facility management to optimize the performance of the office workforce
and improve occupant satisfaction.

Human Need
People’s perception of their environment influences their social interaction
within that environment. Social interaction can be discussed in terms of
four concepts: privacy, personal interaction levels, territoriality, and
crowding.

Privacy is a central regulatory human process by which persons make
themselves more or less accessible to others. In an office environment,
privacy may be manipulated through the use of partitions which protect
the individual from physical, visual and acoustical intrusion. The plan of an
office environment establishes the privacy level at which the office
functions.

Definition of an individual’s interaction levels is one mechanism used in
achieving a desired level of privacy. Besides needing enough space to
move about and perform various tasks, each person moves within a
domain that expands and contracts to meet individual needs and social
© Holmesglen Institute TBP 120 Total Building Performance Topic 6

circumstances. The size of a space determines perceptions, experiences,
and uses of that particular environment.

People inherently discern their relationship with others in terms of
distances, or spaces, between them. Ed ward T. Hall defines four distinct
distances at which categorized as intimate, personal, social, and public
interpersonal transactions normally take place. These are:

• Intimate space is that area immediately surrounding the individual’s
body. This area is the most private and involves both physical and
emotional interactions.

• Personal space is that area within which a person allows only select
friends, or fellow workers with whom personal conversation is
mandatory.

• Social space is that area within which the individual expects to make
purely social contacts on a temporary basis.

• Public space is that area within which the individual does not expect
to have direct contact with others.

The more intimate the spatial relationship, the more people resist
intrusion by others. Personal space fa ctors are important in establishing
privacy requirements for interior design.

Territoriality is a means of achieving a desired level of privacy. It
involves the exclusive cont rol of a space by an individual or group. This
control implies privileges and may involve aggressive actions in its
defence. For the individual, territorial control provides security and identity
and is communicated through personalization and definition.

READ ALSO : Communication Strategies

Crowding occurs when personal space and territoriality mechanisms
function ineffectively, resulting in an excess of undesired external social
contact. Sociologically, people respond to crowding in different ways
depending upon the situation. Sometimes humans tolerate crowding,
though it may be unpleasant, because they know it is only temporary. In
some situations crowding may be considered desirable, it may even be
sought after if it is perceived as “part of the fun” or the expectation within
a social setting. In either situation, however, psychological discomfort may
be experienced if the crowding is perceived as too confining.
Psychological Human Response

Responses to the environment are complex and best understood in terms
of three psychological stages of human behaviour: perception, cognition,
and spatial behaviour.

Perception of the environment, in its most strict sense, refers to the
process of becoming awar e of a space by the acquisition of information
through the sensations of sight, he aring, smell, touch, and taste.
© Holmesglen Institute TBP 120 Total Building Performance Topic 6

Cognition is the mental processing of this sensory information. This may
involve the activities of thinking about, remembering, or evaluating the
information.

Spatial behaviour refers to responses and reactions to the
environmental information acquired through perception and cognition.

The designer creates environmental stimuli to direct these psychological
stages as well as the secondary processes of motivation, effect and
development.

Environmental expectations, another determining element to be
considered by the design, are developed over time through experience
and interaction with the environment. Sensations, in combination with
expectations of the environment, define one’s perception of a space.
Perception and aesthetics

As stated above, perception of the environment, and consequently the
aesthetic appeal of that environment, involves the acquisition of
information through our five senses . A person’s experience in the
environment is very complex. Individual differences such as sex, age and
health, to name a few, are important determinants of behavioural
responses to an environment. The designer must take into consideration
the individuality of various occupants of an environment, their likes,
dislikes and personal histories.

Colour proves to be an important factor in the perception of an
environment’s aesthetic. If used carefully and skilfully, it can positively
influence mood and behaviour. A full range of psychological and emotional
effects can be achieved through use of colour. Colour selection is an
integral part of any project design, whether painting walls, installing floor
coverings, upholstering furniture,
or selecting art, plants, or graphics.

Perception of the relative size and appearance of a space is often related
to colour. The following are some generalities to remember about colour,
human perception and aesthetics.

• Certain colours may make a space appe ar larger than it actually is,
while others cause spaces to appear smaller.
• Certain colours may cause a space to seem warm, while others may
make it seem cold.
• Colours have a definite effect on the mood of the observer. Some
colours are stimulating, others are relaxing.
• Colours that clash with each other may produce feelings of irritation or
uneasiness.

Human Response to the Interior Environment

Each person responds uniquely when confronted with a specific situation
or experience. These responses fall into three categories sociological,
psychological and physiological – all of which are influenced by factors
within the interior environment.

Sociological determinants relate to the social needs and problems of
the occupants. Factors that pertain to these sociological responses,
including group dynamics and communication, should be considered
during planning.

Group dynamics (the interpersonal relation ships among members of a
small group) are a result of the personality and cultural backgrounds of
the individuals involved, their task, and the nature of the physical setting.
Spatial arrangements in small groups are functions of environment, task,
and personality. Various cultures respond differently to the amount and
arrangement of space.

In determining the physical arrangement of an interior space, the
interaction distances betw een work groups and the tasks to be performed
are very important to successful communication and social relationships.
The study of small group ecology is important not only from the
standpoint of understanding the impact of social relationships, but also
from the practical standpoint of designing and maintaining a variety of
functional spaces in which various relationships can be fostered.

Studies of communication reveal that, in conversation, people prefer to
sit across from one another rather than side by side. If the distance
between conversing people becomes too great however, they will usually
choose to sit side by side rather than across from one another.
The scale of a room—it’s size relative to the occupants— also influences
conversational distance. As room sc ale diminishes, people tend to sit
closer together. Likewise, increased noise levels and distractions drive
people to sit closer together.

Psychological determinants in the planning of an interior environment
relate to the psychological needs and concerns of the occupants. Visual
privacy, acoustic privacy, and aesthetic factors are key determinants to be
considered.

Visual privacy addresses the ability to limit other’s view of oneself.
Inherent in human behaviour is the te ndency to avoid situations in which
one can be watched without being aware of who is watching. Visual
privacy can be achieved through the use of furnishings, partitions or walls.
In a private space or an office, people will often orient their desk in order
to visually control the d oorway and achieve a visually private space on one
side of the desk. Similarly, people prefer to sit with a protected back,
controlling the area they cannot see directly. In rest aurants, the first seats
to be filled are usually those along the walls. In outdoor spaces, people
tend to sit against or beside objects such as trees and bushes rather than
in the open.
© Holmesglen Institute TBP 120 Total Building Performance Topic 6

Acoustic privacy in an interior space results from effective treatment of
the acoustic environment as an interrelationship of many components:
ceiling, partitions, furniture, equipmen t, and floor. A complete acoustic
system will generally provide adequate speech privacy. Speech privacy is
achieved when there is sufficient acou stic shielding to allow conversation
to be unheard beyond the participants of the conversation. A high quality
of speech privacy will contribute significantly to a desirable level of
communication, social interaction, and productivity. An appropriate
relationship between background noise and that produced within the
activity space is conducive to speech privacy.

Aesthetic appreciation is both expressed in and influenced
by the environment. To define aesthetic qualities, the designer needs to
understand that the concept of beauty differs with time and place,
purpose and context. Values captured under the label “aesthetic” can best
be understood at a universally compre hensible level. These aspects of a
design go beyond the functional an d constructional concerns, and are
associated with the specific way the design presen ts itself to the human
senses. The designer uses an object to serve some need or want. When
we look at an object, its physical ap pearance causes a sensory experience
in us above and beyond its mere utility. The designer’s appreciation of this
experience helps him to communicate his intent and understanding to the
user.

Physiological determinants relate to physical needs of the occupants.
Factors to be considered during the planning phase that deal with
physiological responses include function ality, ergonomics, life safety, and
health concerns.

Functional efficiency relates to the degree to which physiological needs
are supported in the interior space plan. These needs, which are physical
in nature, relate to human body requirements. Interior environments must
respond to basic human functional needs—vision, hearing, stability, and
mobility—to achieve both comfort and effici ency. The ability to
comprehend one’s environment as well as to perform tasks within it are
strongly dependent upon vision. The critical variables in human vision are
visibility, legibility and recognition.

Hearing is critical because it not only affects ability to communicate but
also the general capacity to perform other tasks. The critical variables in
human hearing are audibility, intelligibility, signal-to-noise ratio, and noise
annoyance.

Stability refers to elements that support individuals as they walk and
move about or perform functional or manipulative tasks. Some of the
elements that need to be considered in terms of mobility include slope of
floors, width of walkways, depth of st air treads, location of handrails, and
height of door thresholds. All physiological needs affect how a person
perceives and reacts to an environment. When these needs are
appropriately met, the user will percei ve the environment as successful.

Studies show that a worker’s productivity increases with an improved
environment. Emphasis on the following specific environmental conditions
contributes to improved worker efficiency:

• Proper illumination for each task.

• A suitable acoustic environment that allows ease of communication,
limited intrusive noise (and resultan t distraction), and protection from
ear damage where appropriate.

• Human/facility interface features de signed to be used within human
mobility and strength limits. (Special attention should be given to the
removal of accessibility barriers for the handicapped worker.)

• Physical features of the facility th at are compatible with typical human
expectations and comprehension.

• A plan that conserves human energy.

• An environment that allows workers to function within their most
productive range of motion.

Ergonomic design recognizes that the environment significantly
influences and impacts human behaviour. Each aspect of the interior
design—including space, furnishings, and environmental variables such as
temperature, sound, humidity, and ventilation—needs to be carefully
assessed in terms of its compatibilit y with the purpose for which it is
intended: to conform to the human body. The challenge is to plan for the
intended activities, furnishings, and finishes that are appropriate for the
purpose of the expected user. Ergonomics combines anthropometrics
(human body measurement data), phys iology, and psychology in response
to the needs of the user in the environment. This data is used by the
designer to create interior designs which are both humanistic and
functional in nature.

Life safety and health concerns are primarily focused on human
response to negative stimuli; the na tural responses when an individual
sense danger—generally referred to as fight or flight. Life safety focuses
on the ability of an individual to vacate a facility in a timely manner when
necessary. Generally this is accomp lished through an assurance of
adequate travel path capacity for the occupants of the space, and a clear
indication of a safe means of egress.

Health concerns are often less obvious than life safety. Ergonomic design
is an aspect of health consciousness. If a space function s properly for the
task, it is less apt to cause physical harm—such as repetitive strain injury
(carpal tunnel syndrome) or simple backache. Health concerns also factor
into the selection of materials. Fumes from paints or carpet adhesives may
cause severe bronchial stress or headaches in some individuals. Often,
odours of even non-toxic elements may raise concerns that will foster
absence among workers. A building designer cannot control all such
contaminants, but must be conscious of the range of possible impacts of
material selections, and avoid such occurrences when possible.
© Holmesglen Institute TBP 120 Total Building Performance Topic 6 Page 8 of 9

Conclusion
Dr Scott Drake, in “Workplace Environment” notes the design of any
workplace involves the design of a building and its contents in such a way
that its occupants can undertake the work for which they have been
employed.

The way a building works can be unders tood in terms of ‘function’; the
way in which it provides suitable spaces for the activities that need to take
place within. The way a building works can also be understood in terms of
environmental provision; whether it provides the right amount of heat,
light, air and sound for the occupants to be reasonably comfortable when
performing their tasks. The functional layout of a building affects the
types of work tasks that take place there, while the environmental
provision ultimately affects the physio logical conditions of its occupants .

The relation between physical and operational aspects of buildings and
their occupants is described by Dr Drake at Figure 1. The interrelationship
between human factors and building factors is critical to total building
performance.

References
• Aronoff, S. and Kaplan A., 1995, “Total Workplace Performance:
Rethinking the office environment ”, WDL Publications, Canada
• Farren, Carole E. 1988, “ Planning and Managing Interior Projects”,
Means Company, Inc.
• Freifeld, Roberta., 1991, “Space Planning”, Washington, D.C.: Special
Libraries Association,
• Hall, E., 1990, “ The Hidden Dimension”, Doubleday & Co.
• Harrigan, J.E., 1987 “Human Factors Research: Methods and
Applications for Architects and Interior Designers”, Elsevier Dutton,
Inc.
• Jensen, K., Arens, E., and Zagreus, L., 2005, Acoustical Quality In
Office Workstations, As Assessed By Occupant Surveys, Proceedings:
Indoor Air
• Knackstedt, Mary V., 1992, “ The Interior Design Business Handbook”,
Van Nostrand Reinhold.
• Pile, John, 1986, “Open Office Planning: A Handbook for Interior
Designers and Architects”, Whitney Library of Design/Watson-Guptill
Publications, Inc.
• Ramsey, G., and Sleeper, H., 2000, “Architectural Graphic Standards”,
10th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
• Zeisel, J., 1981, “ Inquiry by Design: Tools for Environment -Behavior
Research”, Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
© Holmesglen Institute TBP 120 Total Building Performance Topic 6

Readings
1.   Aronoff, S. and Kaplan A., “Total Workplace Performance: Rethinking
the office environment ”, WDL Publications, Canada, pp.127-135, 138-150, 267-303,
2.   Drake, Dr S., 2006, Workplace Environment, Technical Research Paper
2, Melbourne City Council, (Refer to Reading 6, Topic 4, p.10)
Further resources
1.   Butterworth, I., 2000, “The Relationship between the Built
Environment and Wellbeing: a literature review”, Victorian Health
Promotion Foundation, to be Accessed at:
http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/assets/contentFiles/built_environment.pdf

2. http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=171&pg=1933

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