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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

Nominations awaited for UFS Alumni awards
2006-10-12

Nominations are awaited for the University of the Free State’s (UFS) annual Kovsie alumni awards, namely the Kovsie Alumnus of the Year, the Cum-Laude Award and the Alumni Award for Exceptional Service to the UFS.

The Kovsie Alumnus of the Year Award honours the outstanding achievements of a Kovsie alumnus on national or international level.  Last year Mr Naka Drotské was appointed as Kovsie of the Year for the way in which he led the Cheetah Rugby Team.

The Cum Laude Award is occasionally bestowed on an alumnus for outstanding service or achievement on regional, national or international level in his/her field of work.  Mr Harold Verster (President of the Free State Rugby Union) received the Cum Laude Award last year.

The Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the UFS is occasionally made to any person (not necessarily an alumnus) who delivered exceptional service to the university.  The award was made last year to Prof Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law at the UFS.

 A written nomination for the awards can be submitted by any alumnus. The nomination must be seconded by at least five other alumni and be accompanied by a comprehensive motivation and a brief curriculum vitae of the candidate. The candidate’s complete address and telephone number must also be provided.

Nominations can be submitted by post to Ms Annanda Fick or Mr Lucas Radebe, Alumni Awards, PO Box 2319, Bloemfontein, 9300 or faxed to (051) 401 3758. The closing date for submission of nominations is 3 November 2006.  Enquiries can be directed to Ms Fick at (051) 401 3382 or Mr Radebe at (051) 401 3751.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za 
10 October 2006

 

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