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ceiling height ratio ?

Isamemon | Posted in General Discussion on March 11, 2004 09:21am

Is there a majic formula or ratio to help with this one.

Today I am looking at a set of drawings for a new house. 9 foot walls, vaulted trusses. However where one room goes in the house the ceiling is 16′ from the floor. the room is a dining room. the room is ony 12×18. If the ceiling follows the rest of this part of house. the ceiling ridge will be at 16 feet, but will not be centereded in this particular room. I suggested putting in a false ceiling, flat.

Why I was asked. I said this room might look like an elevator shaft and with the vault and ridge being off center by about 4 feet, will look even worse

So aside if you agree or disagree  ( and do want all thoughts on it) on what it might look like is there a good formula or ratio for setting ceiling heights

 

thankyou

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Replies

  1. User avater
    lukes | Mar 11, 2004 09:43pm | #1

    Claaical design proportions revolve around the concept of "the golden mean". The mathematical ratio between the larger side and shorter of a rectangle is 1:1.618. This has been recognized by the Greeks, Egyptians and Renaissance artists and designers.

    1. Isamemon | Mar 11, 2004 10:55pm | #3

      In this case would that mean I cold take the longest side and multuiply by 1.68 to get the max wall height ( the other side of a triangle.

      so if the floor is 14 feet long then the wall height could be23.52 feet high ? 14x1.68 ?

      still trying to figure it out

      but if I take an 8 foot wall and multiply by 1.68 it comes out to less thatn 14 feet and fits with one of capnmacs comments

      Edited 3/11/2004 3:00 pm ET by hammertime

      1. User avater
        jonblakemore | Mar 11, 2004 11:00pm | #5

        Try dividing the length by the ratio:

        14/1.68=8.333 

        Jon Blakemore

  2. User avater
    CapnMac | Mar 11, 2004 10:35pm | #2

    on what it might look like is there a good formula or ratio for setting ceiling heights

    There may not be one, out and out, formula to apply.  Personall, I like a dining room to be an intimate sort of place.  I rather like lowering the ceiling (relatively) over the table, and raising it around the sides.  This follows the use of the room.  We stand by the chairs, pass through the room, talk & greet other people along the edges.  Addtional height ther can be comforting.  When we eat at the table, we are seated, our perspective moves down.  A lower ceiling here helps "bond" us from one side of the table to the other.

    Does that have to be a solid, physical ceiling?  No not necessarily, it can be a lattice or grille-like structure that carries the lighting a dining room deserves.

    In this specific case, with an off center cathedral ceiling, I'd recommend an internal cathedral that is centered.  This would be a set of ceiling joists under the trusses, usually at a lower pitch than the roof above, but similar.  I'd make sure the height was not exactly the same as any other room dimension (here's a good place for golden section dimensioning).  Only an experienced person would notice the difference in the two ceiling pitches.  Each room would keep its character, and without the lopsided feeling an off center ridge can have. 

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. Isamemon | Mar 11, 2004 10:59pm | #4

      I was trying to use the golden 1.68 as suggested.

      Maybe as you suggest , make sure it is lower then any other demension in that room.

      so that kind of fits with what the other person said, in a way

      standard wall height is 8 foot. multiply by 1.68 and get 13.44

      13.44 is less then the biggest demsnion in the room

      hmmmmm   maybe thats the ticket

  3. sungod | Mar 12, 2004 03:06am | #6

    Real high ceilings are great for keeping the patrons cool, but if you want it to be warm -- remember warm air rises.

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