The Performance Concept as a Model Linking Research and Design

Past EDRA research has been of such an abstract, theoretical nature that it has been largely unrelated to useful design. Since EDRA member have in common the goal of applying human requirements as an essential shaping force in design, the performance concept, also based on human requirements, is offered as the best model to bridge the present gap between research and design. The performance approach, now past the experimental stage itself, has been used by Federal agencies to evaluate buildings' performance. A brief history of human factors engineering examines the split between architectural design and human factors. Examples of behavioral science research, translated into performance statements, are included.