We experience the world based on human perception and cognition, which are well researched fields in psychology, neuropsychology, philosophy, medicine, art, etc. Yet, the science of human perception and cognition are seldom used in formal design process, as designers and design schools do not teach these subjects as core issues in design. For over five decades, we have assisted clients in design, research and testing in the areas of human perception and cognition as they relate to comfort and user satisfaction.

Orfield Laboratories Inc. is the world’s only independent, multi-sensory lab, providing design, research and testing in Architecture, Design and Product Development. Via the use of both objective and subjective measurement, our orientation is to focus on perceptual comfort, cognitive clarity, satisfaction, and preference as user experience benchmarks. Home of the Orfield Anechoic Chamber, which Guinness recognizes as “The Quietest Place on Earth” (2005, 2012, 2021), the lab is at the precipice of research regarding silence and sensory deprivation is a therapeutic modality. As a NIST-Accredited acoustic laboratory, Orfield’s expertise is in measuring and defining user experience benchmarks to aid technical consulting.

In Architectural Design, we work in each of the sensory disciplines associated with the built environment.  This includes Acoustics, Lighting, Daylighting, Thermal Comfort, AV, and Indoor Air Quality.  In these areas we assist in defining and measuring user needs and preferences, in the development and execution of building performance standards, and in performing studies of occupancy quality and testing of subjective response to design programs.

In Product Design and Development, we research the unconscious emotions of users, define and measure user needs and preferences, and characterize possible product solutions.

We have provided consulting services across the United States and Canada, as well as to many clients in Europe and Asia.