flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Study explores why high ceilings are popular

Architects

Study explores why high ceilings are popular

High ceilings give us a sense of freedom, new research finds


By BD+C Staff | March 9, 2015
Study finds out why most people like high ceilings

Interior view of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Photo courtesy Jean_Christophe Benoist/Wikimedia Commons

Real-estate listings usually include high ceilings as an amenity. This makes sense, as research has shown that home buyers tend to prefer homes above the standard eight-foot ceiling.

A recent study done by a team from the University of Toronto-Scarborough (UTS), who revealed to us recently why the human brain prefers curvy buildings, also explored why high ceilings are desirable.

Led by psychologist Oshin Vartanian of the UTSĀ found that our brains tie high ceilings to a psychological sense of freedom, Fast Company reports.

In addition, the team also looked at the brain activity of research subjects who were placed under a neuroimaging scanner as they reviewed pictures of interiors. They found that the majority of respondents labeled a space with high ceilings as ā€œbeautiful.ā€

ā€œSuch rooms promote visuospatial exploration,ā€ Vartanian told Fast Company. ā€œAt the same time they prompt us to think more freely. This could be a rather potent combination for inducing positive feelings.ā€

Fast CompanyĀ has the full report.

Related Stories

| Jul 15, 2013

Zaha Hadid unveils plan for boutique condo development in New York

Related Companies taps the London-based architect for the 11-story 520 West 28th Street residential development adjacent to the High Line in Chelsea.

| Jul 12, 2013

12 award-winning healthcare projects [slideshow]

AIA's Academy of Architecture for Health announced the recipients of the 2013 AIA National Healthcare Design Awards.

| Jul 11, 2013

Bill to borrow more for college spending in Michigan criticized due to ā€˜higher-ed bubbleā€™

An amendment to a Michigan appropriations budget authorizes an increase in state debt to pay for state university construction projects. But some experts see a ā€œhigher education bubbleā€ on the horizon, and said more taxpayer debt for more buildings is a bad idea.

| Jul 11, 2013

Skanska exits U.S. Chamber of Commerce over LEED controversy

Skanska USA resigned from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the Chamberā€™s decision to support the American High-Performance Buildings Coalition.Ā 

| Jul 11, 2013

DOE releases stricter energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings taking effect in 2014

The Energy Department released stricter energy efficiency standards this month for new federal buildings.Ā 

| Jul 11, 2013

Pennsylvania legislators work on bill to update demolition codes following fatal building collapse

Pennsylvania lawmakers are working on a bill to update demolition codes, in the wake of a fatal building collapse in Philadelphia in June.Ā Ā 

| Jul 11, 2013

Lawsuit challenges modular apartment project in New York City

A plan to build pre-fab apartment buildings at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, N.Y., has been challenged by a lawsuit filed by the Plumbing Foundation in Manhattan Supreme Court.Ā Ā 

| Jul 10, 2013

SmithGroupJJR hires Don Posson as Co-director of Sustainable Design

SmithGroupJJR has hired veteran mechanical engineer Don Posson, PE, CCP, CPD, LEED AP, as the firmā€™s co-director of sustainable design.

| Jul 10, 2013

World's best new skyscrapers [slideshow]

The Bow in Calgary and CCTV Headquarters in Beijing are among the world's best new high-rise projects, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.Ā 

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Resiliency

Austin area evacuation center will double as events venue

A new 45,000 sf FEMA-operated evacuation shelter in the Greater Austin metropolitan area will begin construction this fall. The center will be available to house people in the event of a disaster such as a major hurricane and double as an events venue when not needed for emergency shelter.



halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021

Ā