Ergonomics is everywhere design. Aim of each architect should be the optimization and efficiency of the proposed design solutions, the correct diagnosis and meet the needs of users, the implementation of priority investment objectives as a business, future thinking in terms of sensitivity to changes in object and to anticipate all the consequences of their decisions. In today's world, the basis of all activities is knowledge. Development of the Internet led easy access and transfer of knowledge. At the same time excess and information overload can cause confusion. It is essential to proper diagnosis, which knowledge is valuable and useful. The built environment and its users are a direct source of knowledge for design. In order to acquire this knowledge be used qualitative research (quality: technical, functional, organizational, behavioral, economic), observation, surveys, interviews, way-finding, participations, etc. On the basis of 15 years of experience in the field of qualitative research conducted in many places, their own projects and in the classroom with students of architecture, the authors have developed their own methods of knowledge acquisition from the built environment. These methods are mainly based on a simplified POE (Post Occupancy Evaluation) adapted to Polish conditions. The paper presents selected research projects in the field of architecture conducted at the Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology. The Faculty has been involved in quality analyses of the built environment since the nineties of the twentieth century.

The paper is the first, introductory part to the description of an interdisciplinary research project in the modernization of laboratories at The Faculty of Civil Engineering, The Silesian University of Technology. The scope of the paper is to disseminate the current state of knowledge of ergonomics and issues involved in the technology of laboratory processes, describing the methodology of experiments carried out in geotechnical laboratories, their equipment and spatial requirements in view of the users – research staff. The course and results of the pre-design studies are presented in: PRE-DESIGN STUDIES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE MODERNIZATION OF GEOTECHNICAL LABORATORIES

The paper analyses multi-variant energy simulations carried out in IDA ICE 4.8 software for a newly designed single-family building within the framework of the 4E Idea. This idea assumes the use of energy-saving, ecological, ergonomic, and economic solutions in construction and building operation. Energy simulations were conducted to evaluate the annual energy-saving potential of the developed architectural house concept, which incorporates ergonomic analyses and cost-effective construction solutions. Analyses were conducted to optimise the non-renewable primary energy index by selecting mechanical ventilation system (CAV or VAV) with heat recovery; the configuration of photovoltaic module installation in terms of their location and orientation; the exposure and type of solar thermal collectors (flat and vacuum); and the use of two types of heat pumps (air- and ground-source). The most favourable energy performance of the building was achieved with an HVAC system equipped with a VAV mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, an on-grid photovoltaic installation, vacuum solar thermal collectors, and a ground-source heat pump with a horizontal heat exchanger. This configuration resulted in a primary energy index value of 2 kWh/m²/year. The results of the analyses carried out for the 4E building concept may serve as a reference point for future energy-efficient building designs aspiring to meet higher standards of sustainable development.