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90 Understanding the project e design process Understanding the space Understanding building structures e human interface Sustainable design Communicating design Organising the space 90 Measured (or mechanical) scale is the correlation between the actual size of an object and a standard system of measurement. Visual scale is a judgement we make about the relative sizes of objects, and is not related to drawing scale described in the previous chapter. We are constantly and subconsciously comparing elements of the visual scene before us – is this chair small or large in relation to that one? Is that doorway small or large compared to the wall where it is positioned? Scale Human scale takes this desire to compare a stage further as it looks at the relationship between the dimensions of a space or object and their fi t with the proportions of the human body. When something is scaled to fi t or work easily with the human body, it can be said to be of human scale – examples could be a kitchen worktop or a fl ight of stairs. Sometimes buildings, furniture and other elements of interiors that we encounter are deliberately sized in opposition to the human body to provoke a response from us. Large spaces induce a sense of awe and wonder through their size, for example, but taken to extremes this mismatch of scale could leave us feeling exposed and vulnerable. On the other hand, small spaces could feel welcoming and protecting, or they might feel claustrophobic.