Human factors and ergonomics throughout the lifespan

Designers of today’s environments face unprecedented challenges in accommodating an increasingly diverse population across characteristics of age, disability, ethnicity, gender alignment and religion to name but a few. Eliciting, and working to meet the associated population needs is achieved through the application of a Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) approach. This chapter will inform designers of the role of HFE within interior architecture with specific consideration of design challenges across the lifespan in promoting health and wellbeing. It will demonstrate how design can meet physical, sensory, cognitive and emotional needs over a variety of environments including: workplaces, schools, domestic settings, care homes, hospitals and transport.