I wonder if you realize how much power spaces have.
Have you ever thought about the subliminal cues you pick up from your surroundings? When you walk into a cathedral, do you notice that something in your chest feels drawn upward to the soaring ceiling above you?
There is a reason that classrooms have seats in regimented rows, all facing forward. Spaces affect behavior.
A large part of my work is accomplished through establishing, motivating, and coordinating teams. When I schedule meetings, I am intentional about which meeting rooms I use because different rooms provide different contexts that can either boost what I am trying to achieve or create a barrier.
If the room has windows or glass walls, it can increase feelings of openness and optimism. If the room is an interior room with no windows, it can create feelings of intimacy or safety.
It's also important for the room to be correctly sized. Five people meeting in a conference room with 30 chairs may feel small and powerless. A room too small for the number of people can convey a feeling of vague discomfort that will transfer from the room to the project.
The 'right' room is particulary important for kick-off meetings where projects are initiated or pivotal meetings where key decisions are made.
Spaces are equally important for homes. The open floor plans popular now in single-family residences encourage relationship-building. Classic or formal foor plans support more distant, formal relationships. (Of course, it is possible to live in a classic floorplan and still develop strong personal relationships -- but it takes intentionality to overcome the space.)
I've discovered that there are some spaces where I am more creative. There are some spaces where I am better able to gain perspective and do long-range planning.
If I am paying attention, I can use the power of spaces to my advantage, giving myself an edge in accomplishing whatever my goal at the time may be.
1 comment:
I totally know that this is true, becuase I always work hard to make my room feel like a comfortable haven against the baren wasteland of the world around me. That is one of the scariest things about moving to Japan, because I have no idea how I will take living in an aparmtent that the size of my clothset in my last aparmtent.
Try holding an optimistic self-meeting in that place. Come on self, I know you can't extend your feet when you lie down in bed, but this is going to be all right :o)
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