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19 March 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Ergonomics
Martie Bitzer, senior lecturer at the UFS Department of Architecture, says an architect envisions how the user will live in a space and designs accordingly.
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs

Whether at work or at home, scientists have found a way to “comfortably” carry out tasks. According to Martie Bitzer, senior lecturer at the University of the Free State’s Department of Architecture, we all experience discomfort due to the effects of repetitive actions in a day – whether in daily tasks of necessity like washing the dishes or hours spent at work behind a desk or a countertop. “The word ‘ergonomics’ is the key to ease this discomfort!,” she said.

Martie believes that a space needs not only to look beautiful but that it must be practical as well. 

“The specific dimensions of the human body should serve as the designer’s ‘measure’ for the height of your kitchen counter or the angle of your computer screen,” says Martie.

She continues: “In architecture, ergonomics is always the starting point for design. The architect envisions how the user will live in a space and designs accordingly. Ergonomics touches all aspects of a person’s life in a building – from the distance you walk in your kitchen while cooking to the impact of the height of a specific space. It is working at best when you live fluently in a space, unaware of obstacles and challenges. The human body’s capabilities and limitations are at the heart of the responsible designer’s task to improve the quality of life in a building.”

In a world where we are daily more aware of how we engage with our surroundings, good design matters!



News Archive

Record amount of degrees and diplomas awarded during Spring graduation ceremony
2005-09-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) will award a record amount of 885 degrees and diplomas on Thursday 15 September 2005 to students from the Vista and Main campuses during this year’s spring graduation ceremony. 

Altogether 572 degrees and 313 diplomas will be awarded.  This is the most degrees and diplomas that have been awarded during the spring graduation ceremony. 

One honorary doctorate and 30 doctorates will also be awarded.  The honorary doctorate Doctor Theologiae (honoris causa) will be awarded to Prof Wilhelm Neuser for his contribution to the promotion of international Calvin research and for his insight and personal dedication to involving South Africans in it.

In the Faculty of Health Sciences 74 degrees, 26 diplomas and 2 doctorates will be awarded, in the Faculty of Humanities (excluding the School of Education) 90 degrees, 9 diplomas en 6 doctorates will be awarded.  In the Faculty of Law 31 degrees will be awarded, in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 127 degrees, 2 diplomas and 15 doctorates will be awarded, in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences 173 degrees, 2 diplomas and 2 doctorates will be awarded and in the Faculty of Theology 13 degrees, 4 diplomas and 1 doctorate will be awarded. 

In the School of Education 64 degrees, 273 diplomas and 1 doctorate will be awarded.

The diploma ceremony will start at 08:30 and the graduation ceremony will start at 14:30.  Both ceremonies will take place in the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus.


Media release
Issued by:  Lacea Loader
   Media Representative
   Tel:  (051) 401-2584
   Cell:  083 645 2454
   E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
9 September 2005
 

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