Cultural Ergonomics in Domestic Architecture: Behavioral Patterns and Interior Layout Optimization among Multicultural Households

Abstract

This mixed-methods study investigates cultural ergonomics in domestic architecture by examining behavioral patterns and interior layout optimization among multicultural households. Data were collected from 428 participants representing Iranian, Arab, East Asian, and Western (primarily Northern European and North American) backgrounds living in urban settings in Tehran, London, and Toronto. Employing a sequential explanatory design, the research integrated quantitative ergonomic assessments using validated tools such as the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), behavioral mapping with wearable motion sensors and time-use diaries over seven days, a comprehensive 65-item Cultural Domestic Ergonomics Questionnaire, and 62 in-depth semi-structured interviews. Statistical analyses conducted in SPSS and AMOS included one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey tests, multiple linear regression, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results revealed significant cultural differences in spatial usage and ergonomic needs. Iranian and Arab households demonstrated strong preferences for hierarchical zoning, flexible multifunctional collective spaces, low-seating postures, and privacy gradients that support gender roles and hospitality practices, leading to higher ergonomic strain in Western-style open layouts but markedly greater satisfaction and lower postural discomfort in culturally congruent designs. Western participants favored open-plan configurations that promote individual autonomy, visual connectivity, and standing-height work surfaces, reporting better postural comfort in fluid spaces. East Asian households exhibited hybrid patterns combining communal zones with modular adaptability. Regression models showed that cultural congruence in layout design explained 62% of variance in overall user satisfaction and 47% in ergonomic comfort scores, with mismatches associated with increased postural strain, frequent spatial modifications, and reduced well-being. Behavioral mapping identified distinct movement patterns: collectivist groups displayed circular, socially oriented flows around central gathering areas, while individualist groups showed more linear, task-specific pathways. The study develops and validates the Cultural Ergonomics Framework for Domestic Layout Optimization (CEFDLO), offering evidence-based guidelines for hybrid residential designs that balance privacy, flexibility, collective needs, and ergonomic efficiency. These findings highlight the critical importance of culturally responsive interior layouts in multicultural societies and provide architects and interior designers with practical tools to reduce user strain while enhancing daily functioning and cultural identity. Limitations include the predominantly urban sample and reliance on self-reported satisfaction measures. Future research should incorporate longitudinal studies and immersive VR testing to further refine optimization models. This work contributes to the growing field of cultural ergonomics by linking behavioral science, statistical validation, and architectural practice in support of more inclusive domestic environments.