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Rethinking Architecture: From the Inside Out
"The ceiling is the most important plane of the home."
Whether designing a small powder room or an open, gourmet kitchen, the ceiling dictates the overall feel of the
space. The height creates a three-dimensional plane above people's heads and defines how much light illuminates
the space. With a simple change in ceiling materials or treatment, one automatically senses a change in a room's
function, defining one space from the other with a beautiful subtlety that most people feel before they realize
they see it. When people walk into a new room, they instinctually look up in a kind of subliminal way. They take in
the size and scale of the room, and certain ceilings inspire specific emotional responses. This can be seen in the
great cathedrals of Europe, the government buildings in the United States, and in notable places like the Sistine
Chapel. Large, vaulted ceilings or incredible domes overhead inspire a feeling of smallness on the part of the
viewer. In contrast, walking into a low-ceilinged basement can feel claustrophobic and even threatening. The best
homes feature ceilings that create impact without overwhelming the people in the space. That said, playing with
ceiling heights is essential for transitioning guests from a lofty entry to a more intimate setting in a family room
just beyond.
