Human Scale & Architecture
Think about the last time you took a walk outside. How was your experience? Was there a small sidewalk, a large sidewalk or no sidewalk at all? Was the floor uneven? Did it smell unpleasant or could you smell the lovely roses? Did you have to run so that you wouldn't get ran over by a car? Were you staring down at your phone because nothing else seemed more interesting?
Now imagine going for a walk here:
Experiences are everything.
When we talk about human scale, we must start with the human senses and the way that we navigate. The way that we perceive the world around us is through our senses, and in turn, the human scale revolves around our perceptions. We are moving beings, our senses are designed perfectly for us to navigate and experience spaces...but only if the spaces are designed with the human scale in mind.
If we look back in time, at the way old cities were designed, we will notice how everything was centered on the human being. People were very comfortable. The streets and spaces weren't too narrow or too wide.
But everything changed with the introduction of modernism and the invention of the automobile. The importance of the human scale diminished. We went from traveling around 3 mph to 40 mph. Architecture went from human centered design to automobile centered design, which meant that the streets got wider and the buildings got taller. We started moving at a faster rate so the all of the fine details lost their importance as well.
So what happens to human scale? As we all know, change is inevitable, how did/do architects and designers gear our world back into human centered design?
“Human scale is the set of physical qualities, and quantities of information, characterizing the human body, its motor, sensory, or mental capabilities, and human social institutions.”
When we design a space for transportation, it is fine to design for the scale of an automobile, where movement is at 40 mph, but let's not forget the plazas, the work spaces, the malls and our homes, where people are navigating on foot. This is where human centered design matters the most.
“First we shape cities, then they shape us.”
As designers, we must design with human proportions in mind. We don't just look at a building and know that it is successful. We must walk through it and experience it with our whole body. Designs focused on the human body are comfortable. The stairs are not too wide or too narrow. The details also play a big role in human centered design. As humans, we are curious beings. We like to touch and see and hear and taste new things. The details are what make our lives. A human-centered approach, when done correctly, resonates with people and creates positive experiences — ultimately driving engagement and growth.
We aren't opposed to skyscrapers, development, luxury housing, or cars. We are for quality spaces that create meaning and place. There is no one human scale, but by engaging in a placemaking process, we can work together to find the scale that works for every community and give more identity and character to each place.
The physical framework in which we live and spend our time in have a great influence on our behavior and lifestyle. When we care about our community and the places we inhabit, we not only improve our lives, but the lives of those we share our community with.