Integrating ergonomics into the architectural design processes : tools for user participation in hospital design

The aim of this paper is to discuss the application of ergonomics in a large-scale hospital design project, and in particular, the contribution of an ergonomic consultant in organising the participation of end-users. The difference in the architectural and ergonomic design process often makes it difficult to establish an ergonomic contribution in the pre-design phase of the building design. An ergonomic analysis which is focussed on the processes that have to take place in the building can be useful to bridge over these differences. Input of the end-users' knowledge of operations and tasks is an essential part of the architectural design process. Especially in the case of the complex processes in an operating suite. A particular point of interest in organising the participation of these users was their difference in interest and their inexperience in the review of drawings. The tools for user participation that were used in the design of an operating suite are illustrated in the paper.