This is a random post. Not even sure it's blog worthy, but I thought I'd let you into the strange world called my brain. Last week I feel in love with Len Sweet's study. So many cool books. So many cool artifacts. But I couldn't put my finger on why I loved it so much. I finally figured it out. Here's how.
I finished a Walt Disney biography on my plane ride home and one little factoid put all the pieces together. When Disneyland was built, they intentionally altered the size of everything to alter the feeling it created. For example, the train was built to five-eighths scale. On Main Street, the lower floors were built to nine-tenths scale, the second floors to eight-tenths scale, and the third floor to seven-tenths scale. In the words of Walt Disney, the altered size "made the street a toy."
Back to Len Sweet's study. I had to duck to get into it. It was designed like a ship door. And there was something about the small size that made it feel like you were crossing a threshold into a different place.
Long story short, if I ever design a study I'm going to design the door so that only children can walk through standing straight up. All adults will have to enter like a child.
I finished a Walt Disney biography on my plane ride home and one little factoid put all the pieces together. When Disneyland was built, they intentionally altered the size of everything to alter the feeling it created. For example, the train was built to five-eighths scale. On Main Street, the lower floors were built to nine-tenths scale, the second floors to eight-tenths scale, and the third floor to seven-tenths scale. In the words of Walt Disney, the altered size "made the street a toy."
Back to Len Sweet's study. I had to duck to get into it. It was designed like a ship door. And there was something about the small size that made it feel like you were crossing a threshold into a different place.
Long story short, if I ever design a study I'm going to design the door so that only children can walk through standing straight up. All adults will have to enter like a child.
13 Comments:
totally blog worthy. i love it.
def blog worthy! :)
Mark,
While at Orcas for my last D. Min Class with Len back in June, he told us that the door is designed such that he had to bend down every time he went into it. It was a reminder to him of the humility he needed to possess as he entered life, the scriptures, and the Father.
It was intentional, as is everything Len does.
small doors = humility reminder...nice!
Quick question that is out of place in the 'comments'.
Any DC natives want to weigh in on the 'must see' places in the Capital? Bringing some students up this weekend and the White House just cancelled on us through our congressman (how dare they!) :)
Not trying to take away from the posted discussion...forgive me?!
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I'm all about Disney. I plan on becoming an Imagineer upon graduation. That technique that they used is called Forced Proportioning and it does indeed word wonders. You ever been to any Disney theme parks?
Anyways, I bought your book Wild Goose Chase today. I've read In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and I loved it so I'm looking forward to what you have to say in this one. Keep up the good work.
Hi Mark. Forced Proportioning or Forced Perspective is a pretty slick design tool. The Vatican used it in the opposite way throughout St. Peters in Rome. The place is absolutely enormous, but it doesn't make you feel tiny because of how they increased the size of everything as it gets higher above you.
Hi Mark. Forced Proportioning or Forced Perspective is a pretty slick design tool. The Vatican used it in the opposite way throughout St. Peters in Rome. The place is absolutely enormous, but it doesn't make you feel tiny because of how they increased the size of everything as it gets higher above you.
Vote for Pajo,
Gotta hit the Lincoln at night. I love Arlington--Eternal Flame and Changing for the Guard. Throw in Supreme Court and Ford's Theater. For museums, I like Air and Space.
Have fun!
Mark
Thanks Mark!
At the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the door was designed in that way to encourage bowing upon entering (though some though it was to keep horses out of the church).
See http://tinyurl.com/c7fubb
makes me wonder if we'll enter Abba's throne room through a small door. :)
that's awesome.
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