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Date: | Sun, 13 Aug 1995 13:36:56 -0400 |
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Deborah-
As an architect I have found that it is futile to expect to find a universal
height, but, as in most things designed, it is possible to find something
that works either for the majority or satisfies the designer in a given
situation. The search for a universal without a sustaining solution seems to
have taken place throughout history. Though the traditional Japanese comes
close to a standard, the height of a room is determined by the size of the
floor area. Frank Lloyd Wright was short and tended to scale things to
himself.
As an exhibition designer I have used 4'-8" to 4'-10" as center when hanging
signs or art. In one case for an interactive exhibition designed to be used
mostly by children, the client had copious text and our rule was to keep the
text no smaller than 24 points (somewhat large) and within two feet to five
feet above the finished floor. The height restrictions were chosen since
they seemed to work for children, adults, and people in wheelchairs. We
considered having a "detective game" using very tiny print that would be
placed close to the floor with a magnifying glass adjacent to it. The text
would be so small that one would need the glass to read it. But we did not
execute that idea. (Or maybe we did "execute" it, if by that we mean do away
with it. It wasn't a bad idea but it got lost in the design process.)
Light and reflection are always considerations. How high you hang work in a
show depends on the content, form, and intent of the show; the projected and
actual visitors (users); the location (I have designed exhibition components
a little shorter for use in the Orient); the physical space; and your taste.
In the past, art shows were sometimes hung salon-style in that they covered
the walls from (almost) floor to ceiling. I can imagine that it would be
fascinating try to hang things too high or in the worst possible conditions
to test the limits if the intent of the show were to educate about exhibition
design.
I couldn't agree more with Tom Vaughan who wrote that you might consider
making a test run through the place before opening and consider it from many
angles (I would add, maybe during different times of day if there is natural
light). I would also recommend considering leaving something in the budget
for adjustment after opening if evaluations show it to be desirable and if
the conditions allow (it is rare that any client wants to afford this).
Hope this helps. I'm sure there are books on this subject for exhibition
design (does "Doing it Right" have info on this?).
Best of luck,
Mindy Lehrman Cameron
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