24th August 2024
In 2007, researchers from Oxford published a study that found that ceiling height impacted creativity and focus.
Specifically, higher ceilings promoted creative problem solving, while lower ceilings promoted logical problem solving.
These results were later confirmed by an experiment that took MRI scans of participants’ brains as they were shown images of high or low ceiling spaces. The parts of their brains that lit up while looking at high ceiling spaces were those used for broad exploration.
A design writer named William Lidwell coined the phrase ‘Cathedral Effect’ to capture the phenomenon whereby big, tall spaces promote creative, abstract, exploratory behavior.
Studies have also shown that we generally perceive spaces with taller ceilings to be more beautiful.
Going back millennia, places of worship were created with height in order to demonstrate connection with God: not just Christian cathedrals, but Buddhist stupas, Islamic mosques, Jewish synagogues and Hindu temples.
They were designed literally to impress: to make worshippers feel the immense power of God.
This remains the case in modern society too, museums, palaces, opera houses and parliaments use height to infer a sense of awe in the greatness of culture, art, royalty, politics, retail and so on.
If you want to think bigger, get in bigger spaces.
Your environment creates your entire reality. When you spend time in big, open, inspiring spaces, your mind becomes big, open, and inspired.
Interestingly, I’ve experienced this sensation well before I knew anything about the science to support it.
I don’t know how it happens, but for me within minutes of arriving, staring out at the grand expanse of the ocean, and breathing the fresh air, I feel inspired to think big.
If you’re feeling stuck on a project, or in life, go outside for a short walk in nature, spend a day at the beach, or go to the mountains and get yourself into a big, open, bright space, I guarantee your entire mindset will shift.
Big spaces catalyze big thinking.
As it turns out, the Cathedral Effect is the science that supports my assertion. Big spaces really do catalyze big, creative thinking.
I have decided to carve out a day, at least every quarter, to place myself in a large open space & Think big about my future, question all my assumptions, and be bold.
The weekend is here, try it out, go to a big open space, get your creativity going, think big & stay blessed forever.