Ergonomics versus Inclusive Design Spaces The Case Study of The National Tile Museum

Abstract

The current conceptions of the museum determine the exploration of strategies that promote not only observation of the works, but also dialogue and interaction, ensuring access, social and cultural participation of an increasingly diverse audience, without discrimination and within equal access conditions. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential of Inclusive Design Spaces applied to museum space, taking into consideration the common and specific user needs as a consequence of human diversity. Based on an empirical study, undertaken in The National Tile Museum (MNAz) in Lisbon and applied on two distinct groups of visitors - a young and a senior group with different needs and expectations at the physical, social and cognitive level - it was possible to ascertain the impact of the physical attributes of a museum space on visitors. Ergonomics and Inclusive Design Spaces are the two sides of the same coin. This study seeks also to expand knowledge on the influence of Design in museological space in the process of communication and in the effective accessibility of all information with maximum visitor autonomy.

Keywords: Inclusive Design Spaces, Physical attributes, Expressive attributes, Engagement of visitors in the museum.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001215