How We Know What We Know: The Science Behind the Design
If EBD is the philosophy, how is it actually done? Evidence-based design relies on rigorous workflows and space-age technology to predict human behavior before a single brick is laid.
The 8-Step Workflow The industry standard, formalized by the Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program, treats every building project like a scientific experiment:¹
Define Goals: (e.g., "Reduce patient falls by 20%").
Find Sources for relevant evidence: Review existing academic literature.
Interpret Evidence: Assess if that research applies to your specific context.
Create Concepts: Design hypotheses.
Develop Hypothesis: "If we widen the bathroom door, falls will decrease."
Collect Baseline: Measure current performance.
Monitor Implementation: Ensure the design isn't compromised during construction.
Measure Results: Conduct Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POE).
The "Living Lab" Concept Leading firms are now turning their own offices into petri dishes. HKS Architects, for example, treated their Chicago office relocation as a "Living Lab." They installed sensors to monitor air quality, lighting, and sound while surveying employee satisfaction. The goal was to create a living laboratory where HKS could study how design influences behavior, health, wellbeing, and overall performance. The result? By implementing specific ventilation and daylighting strategies, they achieved a 91% satisfaction rate with air quality (improved by 27% over the previous office), a 44% reduction in energy consumption, a 26% operational cost reduction, and a 19% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.²
Tools of the Trade: Reading the Mind and Body How do we gather "evidence"? The toolbox has expanded significantly:
Neuroimaging (fMRI & EEG): We can now see the brain's reaction to space. Research using mobile EEG caps has shown that transitioning between different ceiling heights or corridor widths modulates Theta band activity in the brain, which is linked to spatial memory and navigation.³
Virtual Reality (VR) & Eye Tracking: Before building, designers use VR combined with eye-tracking to measure "cognitive load." Studies show that high-fidelity VR simulations can accurately predict how users will perform tasks in a real building, identifying confusing layouts that might cause errors.⁴
Space Syntax: This computational method analyzes spatial configurations to predict movement. In museums like the British Museum, Space Syntax analysis has been used to predict visitor flow, identify "dead zones" where exhibits might be ignored, and improve visitor flow patterns.⁵
