Roberta Aguirre
High ceilings in airport terminals are often a feature of architecture that makes the space feel more comfortable for travellers. They also serve a practical purpose, such as accommodating signage and providing better lighting and air circulation. The height of the ceiling can impact the comfort of travellers, with low ceilings in large spaces making people feel cramped and claustrophobic. High ceilings also allow for better dispersal of paint, solvent, and cleaning vapours, promoting a safer and less noisy work environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Comfort | High ceilings in large spaces make people feel more comfortable |
| Signage | High ceilings allow for signs to be placed up high so that they can be seen from most points |
| Aesthetics | High ceilings draw the eye upwards towards the sky |
| Maintenance | High ceilings allow for maintenance work to be carried out on aircraft |
| Lighting | High ceilings facilitate better indirect, shadow-free lighting from natural sources |
| Ventilation | High ceilings improve the natural circulation of fresh air |
| Safety | High ceilings promote a safer and less noisy work environment, especially in the presence of flammable materials |
| Space | High ceilings provide space for gantry cranes to be installed for working on aircraft |
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What You'll Learn
To avoid a sense of claustrophobia in large rooms
High ceilings in large airport terminals help to avoid a sense of claustrophobia. This is because the larger the area of a room, the higher the ceiling needs to be for people to feel comfortable. For example, an 8-foot ceiling in a massive room would still feel very tight, especially with hundreds of people inside.
A high ceiling also allows for better placement of airport signage. Signs such as "This way to baggage claim" or "This way to gate X" can be placed up high, allowing people to see them from most points without obstruction from other travellers.
Additionally, the vast, open spaces created by high ceilings can evoke a sense of soaring and airiness, reflecting the idea of flight and drawing the eye upwards towards the sky. This can create a more pleasant and comfortable travel experience, as seen in Terminal 5 at Heathrow, which features a large, open, and well-lit space.
In contrast, airports with low ceilings and dim lighting, such as LAX and Sky Harbor, can feel cramped and challenging to navigate. A high ceiling also provides more wall space for large windows, which travellers prefer as they offer views of airport operations.
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To facilitate wayfinding and signage
High ceilings in airport terminals are designed to facilitate wayfinding and signage. Firstly, they provide ample space for hanging signs that direct travellers to their gates, baggage claim, and other important areas. With high ceilings, these signs can be easily spotted from various points within the terminal, even if there are large crowds. This improves wayfinding and helps travellers efficiently navigate the airport.
Additionally, high ceilings in airport terminals create a sense of spaciousness and openness. Large, open spaces with high ceilings can make travellers feel more comfortable and less claustrophobic, especially when there are hundreds of people in the same area. This sense of spaciousness is important in reducing the feeling of being cramped or sandwiched, which can be unpleasant and disorienting.
Furthermore, high ceilings can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the airport terminal. The vast, open space draws the eye upwards, creating a visual connection to the sky, which is fitting for a place of aviation. This architectural design element adds to the overall experience of air travel, making it more enjoyable and memorable for travellers.
In addition to wayfinding and signage, high ceilings in airport terminals offer other benefits. They allow for better lighting conditions, including natural lighting, which can improve the overall ambiance and visibility within the terminal. High ceilings also improve air circulation and ventilation, promoting cleaner air and a safer, healthier environment for travellers and employees.
While high ceilings offer these advantages, it is important to consider energy efficiency and comfort. Airports can invest in dynamic glazing or smart glass windows to reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfortable temperatures and ample natural light. By combining high ceilings with innovative window technologies, airport terminals can achieve both functionality and sustainability.
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To evoke a sense of soaring, light, and airy spaciousness
High ceilings in airport terminals evoke a sense of soaring, light, and airy spaciousness, enhancing the overall travel experience. The design creates a feeling of openness and freedom, a stark contrast to the cramped and confined spaces often associated with air travel.
The vastness of the ceiling height in proportion to the large terminal space prevents the room from feeling tight and claustrophobic, especially when accommodating hundreds of passengers. This sense of spaciousness is further accentuated by ample natural light and windows, providing travelers with views of airport operations and aircraft.
Additionally, the height allows for better indirect lighting, reducing shadows and glare. Similar to the design of hangars, high ceilings improve the natural circulation of fresh air, enhancing ventilation and promoting a safer, less noisy environment. This feature is particularly beneficial in dispersing paint, solvent, and cleaning vapors, as well as smoke, which can be challenging in spaces with lower ceilings.
The soaring ceilings also serve a practical purpose for signage and wayfinding. With signs placed high up, passengers can easily spot directions to their gates or baggage claim areas without obstruction from crowds. This thoughtful design element improves the functionality of the space, ensuring a smoother flow of passenger traffic.
Overall, the high ceilings in airport terminals are a deliberate architectural choice, contributing to both the aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency of these spaces.
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To allow for maintenance work on aircraft
High ceilings in airport terminals are often a result of the vast spaces that need to be covered. Lower ceilings in large rooms can make people feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic. In addition, high ceilings can facilitate maintenance work on aircraft.
Hangars, where maintenance work is carried out on aircraft, also have high ceilings. This is because aircraft maintenance requires the use of gantry cranes to lift engines and other heavy components. In the past, hangars were built to accommodate airships, which needed to be hung from the roof.
Today, high ceilings in hangars continue to be important for practical reasons. They provide better indirect lighting, improve the natural circulation of fresh air, and facilitate the dispersal of paint, solvent, and cleaning vapors. High ceilings also make the workplace safer by reducing the risk of fire and providing more space to use firehoses from a safer distance.
In addition, high ceilings can contribute to a more aesthetically pleasing design. Architects designing airport terminals often want to create a sense of soaring, light, and airiness, drawing the eye upwards toward the sky.
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To promote better ventilation and dispersal of fumes
High ceilings in airport terminals are often designed to promote better ventilation and dispersal of fumes. This is particularly important in areas where airport employees work, as clean air is a significant concern. By having high ceilings, airports can facilitate improved natural circulation of fresh air, reducing the concentration of pollutants and providing a safer and healthier environment for both workers and travellers.
High ceilings create more airspace over work areas, which helps to disperse fumes from vehicles, paint, solvents, cleaning products, and other sources. This improves air quality and reduces the risk of fire, as flammable gases and vapours can be dispersed more effectively. In the context of airports, this is especially crucial due to the presence of aircraft fumes and the potential for rapid fire spread.
Additionally, the extra space provided by high ceilings allows for the installation of gantry cranes, which are necessary for performing maintenance and repairs on aircraft engines and other large machinery. This ensures that airport operations can be carried out efficiently and safely.
Furthermore, high ceilings can contribute to a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for travellers. The sense of openness and spaciousness created by high ceilings can reduce feelings of claustrophobia and enhance the overall travel experience. This is supported by the fact that travellers tend to prefer airport terminals with high ceilings, natural light, and windows offering views of airport operations.
While high ceilings offer these benefits, it is important to note that they can also present challenges in terms of energy efficiency and initial construction costs. However, modern innovations, such as dynamic glazing and advanced filtration systems, can help address these concerns and make airport terminals more sustainable and comfortable spaces.
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Frequently asked questions
High ceilings in large spaces prevent the area from feeling cramped or claustrophobic. They also allow for better lighting and air circulation, and can make wayfinding easier by providing space for signage that can be seen from most points in the room.
Not necessarily. A room with a large area but a low ceiling can make people feel uncomfortable, but a smaller room with a high ceiling can feel spacious.
No. Some airports with low ceilings include Seattle-Tacoma, LaGuardia, Love Field, LAX, IAH, NAIA, and Narita.
Other buildings with high ceilings include train stations, car workshops, and hangars. Hangars were originally built extremely high to accommodate airships, which needed to be hung from the roof.
