Effects of gender and personality on experience of small living spaces: Ceiling height and floor plan shape in virtual environment

This study explores the complex relationship between ceiling height and emotional responses within art gallery settings, utilizing editable 360-degree VR panoramic scenes to provide a controlled yet realistic experimental environment. While prior research often broadly categorized the emotional impact of ceiling heights, this investigation delves into more specific emotional reactions. The research methodology involved two main studies. Study 1 focused on absolute emotion ratings, where participants experienced virtual art galleries with varying ceiling heights and rated their emotional responses across Ekman's six basic emotions: fear, anger, joy, sadness, disgust, and surprise. Study 2 explored relative emotion ratings, where a 4.79-meter ceiling height served as a reference, and participants' emotional responses to other heights were compared against this baseline. This approach allowed for a more objective understanding of how emotional intensity shifted with changes in ceiling height. Additionally, Study 2 involved participants selecting a ceiling height that best resonated with a pre-assigned emotion, providing insights into the perceived emotional associations with different spatial dimensions. The findings from Study 1 indicated that lower ceiling heights generally evoked higher levels of fear and anger, while higher ceiling heights were associated with increased joy. However, the impact on emotions like sadness, surprise, and disgust was more nuanced and varied across different ceiling heights. For instance, disgust was significantly higher at very low ceiling heights (2.26m and 2.96m) compared to the reference. Joy also demonstrated a non-linear relationship, with significant differences observed at both the lowest (2.26m) and highest (9.57m) ceiling heights, suggesting that extreme heights profoundly influence feelings of joy. The relative emotion analysis highlighted that specific emotions such as disgust and joy showed significant changes when compared to the reference height, while fear, anger, sadness, and surprise did not consistently follow a clear pattern across all ceiling heights. Study 2 further supported these associations, with participants frequently linking lower ceiling heights (2.26m and 2.96m) to negative emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and disgust. A medium ceiling height of 4.79m was most commonly chosen for joy, reinforcing the idea of an optimal range for positive emotional experiences. Interestingly, the highest ceiling height (9.57m) generated mixed responses, being chosen for both fear and joy, indicating that extreme architectural scales can evoke complex and varied emotional reactions. This research successfully demonstrated the efficacy of editable 360-degree VR panoramic scenes as a valuable tool for environmental psychology and architectural research, enabling the realistic simulation and manipulation of spatial dimensions to study human emotional responses. The use of Le Corbusier's Modulor system for selecting ceiling heights ensured an anthropocentric and architecturally relevant approach. The findings offer significant implications for architects and designers, providing a nuanced understanding of how ceiling heights can influence emotional ambiance in various architectural settings. This understanding can contribute to creating more empathetic and emotionally resonant spaces that enhance human well-being, moving beyond mere functionality to consider the profound emotional impact of design. #CeilingHeight #VirtualReality #EmotionalResponse #ArtGalleries #EnvironmentalPsychology #ArchitecturalDesign #SpatialDimensions #ModulorSystem #ImmersiveExperience

The perception and experience of spaces extend beyond aesthetics, directly influencing emotions, thoughts, and creativity. Spacious environments with high ceilings often evoke a sense of freedom and inspiration, while smaller, enclosed spaces encourage focus and introspection. This phenomenon, known as the 'Cathedral Effect,' was introduced by anthropologist Edward T. Hall in the 1960s, describing how ceiling height impacts cognition and behavior. Recent research has further demonstrated how architecture shapes decision-making and emotional states. High ceilings are associated with abstract thinking, creativity, and holistic problem-solving, whereas lower ceilings foster confinement, enhancing focus and analytical thinking. In retail, high ceilings encourage broad product evaluations, while lower ones promote detailed analysis. Similarly, open spaces in work and educational environments foster innovation, and smaller rooms support concentration on meticulous tasks. Historically, architecture has intuitively applied this understanding for centuries, with Gothic cathedrals using soaring ceilings to symbolize divine grandeur. This connection between environment and perception is a fundamental principle of neuroarchitecture, which studies how spatial elements influence human emotions and behaviors. This concept is now applied in various settings, including museums and government buildings, to evoke specific emotional responses like awe or inspiration. Beyond ceiling height, other architectural elements such as color, materials, and lighting also play crucial roles in creating distinct atmospheres, enhancing spaciousness or fostering warmth and intimacy. These factors highlight the deep connection between a space's perception and the emotions it evokes. Scale, therefore, becomes a fundamental tool for humanizing architecture, making spaces more livable and attuned to sensory needs. Eugene Raskin, in 'Architectural Speaking,' outlines four types of scale that balance proportion, comfort, and experience, always prioritizing the human perspective. Natural scale aligns with the human horizontal field of vision (50-55 degrees), making smaller, lower buildings feel more intuitive and harmonious. Spaces designed with human scale in mind encourage organic connections, ease of navigation, and a sense of belonging, often reflecting proportions found in nature and the human body. Examples include Maggie's Lanarkshire by Reiach and Hall Architects, Casa Scout by BAAG, Restaurante Greta Kouzina by Babel Arquitetura, and Bentleigh Secondary College Meditation and Indigenous Cultural Centre by dwpIsuters. Monumental scale, significantly larger than human scale, is typically found in public buildings, religious structures, and memorials. Its imposing nature makes users feel small and contained, historically serving as a tool of power to assert dominance. Modern applications, however, often repurpose monumental architecture to reinforce accessibility, cultural identity, and collective belonging. Examples include La Bourse de Commerce by Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, Astronomical Park of Zhenze High School by Specific Architects + Unit Architects, The Cathedral of Christ the Light by SOM, and Chinese Culture Exhibition Center by ECA2 & Tengyuan Design. Intimate scale, a subcategory of human scale, is personal and inviting, designed to foster comfort, privacy, and retreat. Elements like inglenooks or window benches exemplify this scale, where enclosed spaces enhance coziness and security, ideal for relaxation or contemplation. This scale is relevant in residential and commercial settings, creating warm and welcoming atmospheres. Examples include Zaishui Art Museum by junya ishigami + associates, U-shape room by Atelier TAO+C, Warm Studio Home by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Chapel of the Earth by Cabrera Arqs. Shock scale, the least conventional, aims to surprise and challenge perception through exaggeratedly large or unexpectedly small proportions. Common in experimental or artistic projects, it creates immediate impact and disrupts traditional spatial expectations, evoking curiosity or awe. While less common in residential design, it is prevalent in provocative architectural works, sometimes resembling kitsch architecture, which prioritizes instant gratification over deep intellectual engagement. Examples include Dubai Frame by Fernando Donis and Big Duck by Martin Maurer. When manipulating architectural scale, two primary considerations are crucial: aligning the space with its intended function and acknowledging the variability of user perception, which is influenced by cultural background, personal experiences, and expectations. #ArchitecturalScale #HumanExperience #Neuroarchitecture #SpatialPerception #DesignPsychology #CeilingHeight #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalProportions #CognitiveImpact

This study investigates the influence of window-to-wall ratio (WWR) on heating demand and thermal comfort in residential buildings, taking into account the significant variability in occupant behavior. Traditionally, building design parameters are analyzed using a single 'average' occupant behavior schedule, which fails to capture the full spectrum of behaviors. To address this limitation, a parametric analysis is conducted using a stochastic occupant behavior model to generate numerous possible occupant profiles. These profiles are then used as inputs in an energy simulation of a residential dwelling, allowing for the generation of probability distributions for energy consumption and thermal comfort across different WWR values. The methodology involves calibrating submodels for occupant behavior and building energy using data from a monitored four-storey, 40-unit social housing building in Quebec City, Canada, constructed in 2015. The building's energy consumption and environmental conditions have been continuously monitored. The occupant behavior generator simulates five aspects of behavior: occupancy, domestic hot water consumption, electricity consumption, temperature setpoint, and window opening. These are modeled probabilistically, with parameters drawn from real-world data and Markov chains used to generate stochastic schedules. The building energy and comfort simulation, implemented in TRNSYS and controlled by Matlab, models a single unit and performs yearly simulations with a 10-minute time step. Thermal comfort is assessed using the PMV/PPD approach during the heating season and the ASHRAE 55 adaptive model during summer. A Monte Carlo approach, involving 1,000 simulations with different occupant behavior profiles, is used to generate robust probability distributions of energy consumption and comfort. The results demonstrate that occupant behavior profoundly impacts thermal comfort and heating demand, with wide variations observed. Increasing the WWR generally leads to more discomfort, both hot and cold. For instance, the median total discomfort hours rise from 1,776 to 2,578 hours when WWR increases from 13% to 40%. However, for extreme discomfort scenarios (the least comfortable 10% of cases), larger windows appear to provide slightly better comfort, particularly in cold conditions due to increased solar gains. Heating demand consistently increases with WWR, with median values rising from 24 to 34 kWh/m² as WWR goes from 13% to 40%. Further analysis reveals how specific occupant behavior aspects interact with WWR. Higher temperature setpoints lead to more discomfort with larger windows, especially for low heating consumers who are more susceptible to overheating. High electricity consumption, generating internal heat gains, correlates with better winter comfort and lower heating demand, but also with increased summer overheating, particularly for larger WWRs. Window opening behavior primarily affects heating demand in winter, with its influence diminishing as window size increases. Building orientation also plays a critical role. A northeast-oriented unit experiences significantly more cold discomfort and higher heating demand compared to a southwest-oriented unit, particularly with larger WWRs, due to reduced solar gains. A sensitivity analysis using linear regressions quantifies the influence of different occupant behavior parameters. Temperature setpoint is strongly correlated with heating and cold discomfort, with its influence on heating demand increasing with WWR. The impact of window opening on heating demand decreases with larger window sizes, while building orientation's influence on heating demand and discomfort is amplified with high WWR. This research highlights that the optimal WWR choice for a building is highly dependent on the variety of occupant behaviors, suggesting that designers should consider a broad spectrum of possible occupant profiles rather than a single average. The findings provide a framework for architects and engineers to better assess how WWR affects building performance for diverse occupants, moving towards more human-centric building design optimization. Future work could expand on other design features, building archetypes, climates, and performance metrics, including visual comfort and economic considerations. #OccupantBehavior #WindowToWallRatio #HeatingDemand #ThermalComfort #BuildingPerformance #StochasticModel #MonteCarloSimulation #ResidentialBuildings #EnergyEfficiency

As urban populations continue to grow, the demand for innovative small-space living solutions has led to a proliferation of concepts, including mobile tiny houses, parasitic housing additions, and robotic, shape-shifting furniture designed to optimize square footage. In response to this trend, Michael K. Chen Architecture (MKCA), a firm known for its expertise in micro apartment design, collaborated with the furniture and lighting company Häfele to develop a new micro-living concept. This concept, unveiled at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, prominently features convertible furniture as a core space-saving strategy. The centerpiece of this design is a living room arrangement that spans just 192 square feet. This compact space incorporates furniture elements that can fold, shift, slide, and conceal themselves to serve multiple functions. Key features include a sofa that seamlessly transforms into a bed, a television that is cleverly hidden and can be raised from its nook via a motor, and a console that extends to form a dining table capable of seating six people. To enhance accessibility and maximize storage, the apartment also includes a closet with hinged hangers that fold outwards. Beyond the main living area, the micro apartment integrates a small kitchen equipped with built-in appliances and a wall that can be expanded to provide additional counter space. For entertainment purposes, a hidden motorized bar is also incorporated into the design, acknowledging the desire for hospitality even in smaller living environments. While the unit itself includes a mini-refrigerator, the firm states that the apartment is intended to connect to a separate bathroom and offers customization options, such as the inclusion of a full-sized refrigerator. Currently a prototype, this project exemplifies clever and stylish approaches to urban living challenges. It showcases how thoughtful design and innovative furniture solutions can address the constraints of limited space, offering functional and adaptable living environments for residents in increasingly dense urban areas. The collaboration between an experienced architecture firm and a furniture company highlights the potential for integrated design solutions to create efficient and comfortable micro-living spaces. #MicroApartment #SpaceSavingFurniture #TinyLiving #ConvertibleFurniture #UrbanLiving #InteriorDesign #MichaelKChenArchitecture