Streets and Roofs: Who Are You in Your Environment?
Last week, I met with a recent architecture grad who has a passion for urban planning. He spoke of how Huancayo has been haphazardly put together because the developers, who have the money, always win out over the planners.
My architect friend suspects that a similar phenomenon happens with cities that feel large and spacious versus smaller, cramped cities like Huancayo. On the positive side, the narrow Huancayo streets encourage residents to be more sociable. Two other elements encourage community interaction:
- There are two centrally situated plazas, pleasantly designed with pockets of green and fountains, where people often meet, relax and chat. They hold a flag-raising ceremony and parade every Sunday morning at the main plaza.
- One of the principal streets is closed to traffic every Sunday for a 16-block fair with vendors coming in to the city from all the surrounding towns.
What does your environment bring out of its residents and how?
P.S. I’m heading to Ecuador for a 2-week trip to renew my visa. I promise to respond to comments and hit up your blogs when I get back! =)
Tags: architecture, ceiling height psychology, feria dominical huancayo, plaza constitución, social environment peru, urban planning
GigLogo
Hi Sam, great post. I used to live in this house where the foyer was 18 feet tall so when I used to sit at the top of the stairs I could see out of this huge window right up at the sky. I felt like I was in the clouds, that was my thinking spot. Creativity flowed through me there, there was no limit. I moved to a different house and it didn't have the high ceiling and guess what I had to go outside and write in the back yard, out in the open to get all the creative juice flowing.
Deeone
Hi Samantha, Safe travels to you and Roy. I loved this post! I never really thought about it like that. It's quite true though. At our last house the ceilings were high, the neighbors were far and the writing was flowing, and there was always inspiration. Now, the ceilings are a bit closer to me, the neighbors are literally next door and across the street, and I find that some days, I literally have to pull any form of inspiration from wherever I can get it. I guess architecture plays a bigger impact on our lives than we expect or consider. Great post. 🙂
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Samantha Bangayan
Haha! Maybe the neighbors being far away made a difference too. =) I just spoke to an architect today and am envisioning my future home with super high ceilings, so I have the same creativity you did. Hope you get it back! =)
RA Ackerman, PhD, EA
Actually, this dovetails with my post last week (http://bit.ly/jgLzBn ). Designing the office of the future has to keep this in mind. We need very creative types to be at the top of their game. That need is entirely different from one of our divisions (kind of a sister company) that requires folks to process financial information in a timely, error-free manner. As such, we have decided to have two different entrances with different office layouts- but with almost the same equipment (ok, the latter don't get large touch-screen monitors, but they do get monitors to share the information with the clients).
Also, this has been the topic of discussion for urban planners forever. Too bad, they often get it wrong. It is one of the prime reasons that we still revere Olmsted to this day (Boston Commons, Central Park)…
BTW- this dovetails with your other blog, too… .
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Samantha Bangayan
You said it, Roy! These are the "hidden" ways to optimize creativity! This has me thinking of Google's Googolplex and what other secrets might lie there. =)
Wow! Cool idea to have separate entrances for different types of thinking. =)
Thanks so much for linking this up with your link and mine! =)
Adrienne
Hi Samantha,
First off, have a safe trip and we'll miss you while you're gone but have a good time. You deserve it.
I never really gave this much thought. As you already know, I live in a small place condo and my condo community has only 34 units. We also don't have any families with children here. I've lived here 21 years so even though not all of my neighbors have lived here as long as I have, we are very open, friendly, neighborly and helpful. I think it is the small community that makes it that way. Or perhaps I like to think so.
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Samantha Bangayan
I've been wondering whether my small apartment limits my creativity too, Adrienne! It's so cozy to me, but Karla (above) mentioned that she goes outside for creativity. That might be an option! =)
But I also see the same advantage you do of the small community, which I love! =)
Vinny T
Quite interesting indeed! I live in a classical US suburb outside of Baltimore.very similar to most other suburbs that I've seen in the US. Nice homes, little congestion, nicely manicured lawns, and minimal interaction with neighbors, pretty much a cultural wasteland, a place where nothing ever happens. It serves its purpose though and provides a relaxing and comfortable environment that's a nice escape from typical city problems
Samantha Bangayan
Wow! Sounds like you live in dreamland, Vinny! =) Physically, anyway. =P But interesting to hear you describe it as "a place where nothing ever happens." I always wonder what I'd prefer — the craziness of neighbors who are too close and can listen in on your conversations or the minimal interaction. =P
Vinny T
It's a difficult choice ,with no right or wrong answers, it's all a matter of personal preference. It's crazy, but when i'm in the USA i long to be back in Peru, but when i'm back in Peru, after a while I really want to return to Baltimore
Samantha Bangayan
Maybe humans can never be satisfied. =)
Jackie Lee
I never really thought about it before… but I recently moved my office upstairs to a room with much higher ceilings and I've found it so much easier to write up here. 🙂 And come to think about it… when I lived in NY and all our ceilings were really tall ~ I was a lot more inspired than some of the "lower ceiling" houses I've lived in. hmmm… that's really interesting. 🙂
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Samantha Bangayan
Jackie, it's so, so great to meet you! I really apologize for taking so long to get to your comment, but you can bet that I'll be sharing the love on yours really soon! =)
Wow! I love to hear these success stories! Businesses should definitely take ceilings and the feeling of openness into account it seems. =)
Kelly
I both hate and love the fact that our houses are so close together, you can hear what all your neighbors are up to. It creates a completely different expectation of privacy, for one thing. Fortunately, none of my neighbors are annoyingly loud – and most of us have dogs, so no one complains about the barking.
And i love hearing my neighbors sing along to the radio, or the kid upstairs playing his guitar, or the girl next door asking her mother "Por que? Por que?" all day – it makes me feel like I'm part of a much smaller community instead of sitting in a city of over 8 million.
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Samantha Bangayan
OMG, I so know what you mean, Kelly! I had no idea that you lived in a cramped space too. =) How beautiful to hear how you take the best of the situation and enjoy listening to the singing, guitar playing and endless "Por que?" =P That's also what I love about being a part of this vibrant community! =)
Barry Wells
Hi Samantha,
First off, have a safe journey and be sure to have 2 weeks of as much fun as possible.
Regarding the post: I've never heard this before but I can see how different things effect our way of thinking. Being sat in a wheelchair all ceilings are high to me, so there's hope for me yet ha ha.
I've recently moved to a new estate with just 4 bungalows in it. We don't really get together at all but do stop and chat when we see each other.
Previously I lived on an estate where people measured others by the cars they drove. Sounds strange I know but I had 2 cars, one an old jalopy and the other brand new. When I was in the jalopy they wouldn't even look in my direction but when i was in the new car they would wave and smile.
Material people!! I was so glad to move to my bungalow where we are all equal, and yes I think it has a positive effect on all aspects of my life.
Being happy at home has really helped my productivity.
Thanks Samantha, you have a safe pleasant Journey and I'll catch you up upon your return.
I look forward to it 😉
Barry
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Samantha Bangayan
Barry, you always seem to turn your wheelchair into a source of positivity for you! I absolutely love and admire that! =)
Wow! I can't believe that people would be so materialistic as to not wave at you when in your jalopy! Sounds like the move to the bungalow has definitely been beneficial. =) There really is value in being happy in our surroundings!
Hugs!! =) Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, friend! =)
Abe
I'm not questioning the effects having a raised cealing has on the state of mind of an individual. But I do dispute the design or plan of a home or housing community being directed towards the mid state of an individual. In the late 60's early 70's the Baby Boomers were just coming of age to buy new homes. Developers were faced with with the need to mass produce homes to meet the demands and economical affordability. It was then that the standard 8 foot cealing was established and most standardized sizes of building materials were born to expediate the building process. It's all ecconomics. Lower cealing homes cost less to build, less time to build, cost less to heat, less to cool and are affordable for first time home buyers (#1 drive in the housing market).
Samantha Bangayan
Great point, Abe! My house in Vancouver is one of those mass-produced homes. Most of the houses on the block that haven't been renovated are exactly like mine and I imagine that the ceiling is about the measurement you describe!
Abe
Homes with raised cealings cost 25% more to build, more time to build, additional equipment for construction with the cost being passed on to the buyers,substantially more to heat and cool and are not affordable by most home owners making them #1 in the Bank default in design in america. I love the look, I love the feel of the raised cealing. BUT!!!!!! Economically most home buyers can't afford them. My advice is if you want a sound mind, peace and tranquillity of life style. Buy and live affordable
Samantha Bangayan
Wow! I had no idea that the cost increased so much for high ceilings! I so dream about them, but I now wonder if it's practical at all. It's so true that we also need to consider how comfortable/peaceful we'd be spending so much to construct and maintain high ceilings!
Hilda
It's so true, I heard it before high ceiling promotes creativity and deep thoughts. In addition, Monet's artwork and green zen surroundings also promote good work ethics. That is why I chose a green room for my dorm in med school. The pink room was soo tempting but I know that I'm here for serious business, not funny business hahahh
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gjsuap
Hi Samantha!!
Very interesting post. In a hugh city like Mexico City we had zones with both situations, to close and small and enormous avenues with 50-stores buildings. I will think on people in both cases, and let you know…
Saludos!!
Gonzalo.
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Samantha Bangayan
I see the same in Lima, Gonzalo! The more expensive areas are more separated! It would be interesting to do a study comparing lifestyles of the people who live in them! =)
penniej2
While I love some of the newer architecture, it's the old buildings that give places their flavor and charm. Perhaps Huancayo, like other smaller cities, can sustain both its charming atmosphere as well as new, more modern buildings and houses. Or perhaps they will be separated into different areas – the old and the new as is happening in many places.
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Samantha Bangayan
Definitely, Pennie! There's an old, abandoned colonial house in the middle of downtown Huancayo that no one touches. We need more of those because they add personality and history to the neighborhood and city. =) Interesting to think about this — right now, the old and the new are very mixed! =) That's what's so beautiful! =)
Sherry Zander
Really? High ceilings promote "higher" thinking. That's incredible — I had no idea, but it makes sense. What's interesting about the U.S. is that some of the freest thinking social groups are located in cramped, large cities without much open space — e.g. New York (okay, there's Central Park, but that's just one large park!) and San Francisco. But they are also some of the wealthiest areas in the U.S. It's interesting that cities like Huancayo find ways to manage even when they are incredibly cramped.
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Samantha Bangayan
OOH! Good points, Sherry! I think I read references to those cities in Richard Florida's book too — about how where we live affects us. Maybe they have high ceilings in the middle of those cramped cities? Hehehe! =)
Yomar
I wrote an article similar to this, where I discussed the difference in behavioural tendencies between city dwellers and those in the sticks.. It was interesting analyzing the implications there.
I guess I’m a weird one. I lived in NYC most of my life but I habe also lived in big open areas.. As such, sometimes I like to socialize and other times I enjoy living in my head. Where we live and whom we connect with certainly helps mold us.. What do you think? =o)
Samantha Bangayan
Cool! I'll have to check it out, Yomar! =) So great to see you here, btw! =) Thanks so much for stopping by!
I've never lived in a city as big as NYC, but Vancouver (my hometown) has been growing a lot in the past few years and is now the most expensive place to live in Canada. I definitely found that I was less creative there than here in the Andes where the world seems so much more physically open to me. It also helps that I don't have friends and family on my back, judging whether I'm being productive or not. =P
cath
Odd that the study found high ceilings promoted freer, more abstract thinking. I've always preferred high ceilings in a room. Whenever I am designing, I work better in a more open environment. Good post!
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Samantha Bangayan
Wow!! Then that's the secret! If it works for Cathy, it works for me. Hehe! =) Thanks for the testimony!