Ames Room Demonstration

Adelbert Ames, Jr. devised a number of what he called “demonstrations.” Each provides a dramatic visual experience.
The Ames Room presents the viewer with what appears to be a rectangular room with parallel walls and floors when
viewed monocularly from one vantage point. The version included here is one of an infinite number of possible
configurations that produce the same geometrical pattern on the retina. However, when two objects of equal physical
size are moved about in the room, their relative size appears to change by an implausible amount. This percept may be
caused by our assumptions about the nature of the room based on prior experience or it may have one or more other
causes. Even when the observer knows its true shape, the room still induces the same unnatural percept.
There is clearly more to the Ames Room than meets the eye!

Construction Guide F
1. Print the Ames Room on thick paper. C
2. Cut out the two patterns along the solid lines.
3. Cut out the two cross hatched regions. B
4. Connect the two sections by taping tab ‘X’ to the corresponding edge.

B
5. Fold the paper on the dashed lines using a ruler or other hard edge.
6. Tape the lettered tabs in alphabetical order to the outside of the D
corresponding letter edges shown in the room pattern.

G
Viewing Suggestions
Place the Ames Room under a bright light source.
Look through the cut-out viewing hole opposite the windows.

E
Move a long thin object like a pencil around in the room to see
how its apparent size changes. Place two identical small
objects at different locations in the room and compare their
apparent relative sizes.
G

This is how the finished

E
Ames Room appears
viewed through the door
viewer. Equal size chess F
A

pawns have been placed cut on solid lines

in the far back corners. A
fold on dashed lines

cut out
C
D cut out (optional)

Original References:
Ames, A. An Interpretive Manual for the Demonstrations, 1955.
Ittelson, W. H. The Ames Demonstrations in Perception, 1952. NOTE: To greatly improve the visibility of
the room, especially for far-sighted
Credits: observers, insert a standard hardware
This version of the Ames Room was developed by K. Brecher store "door viewer" - like the one shown
and R. Puno (Boston University). It extends designs here - through the viewing hole. One with
by A. Ames, J. Zanker, and others. a diameter of ≈ 1/2", length ≈ 1.5", and
field of view ≥ 180º works best.
Project LITE is supported by NSF Grant # DUE - 0715975.
 S = 14.5 cm
A = 2,84 m

F
S = 9 cm
A = 1.76 m
S = 14.5 cm
A = 2.84 m

S = 14.5 cm
A = 2.84 m

A=5m
S = 25.5 cm
G
S = 9 cm
A = 1.76 m

A
A = 1.76 m
S = 9 cm

S = 26.5 cm
A = 5.2 m

S = 22.5 cm
A = 4.41 m

X
S = 16 cm
A = 3.14 m
 X
S = 16 cm
A = 3.14 m

S = 22.5 cm
A = 3.14 m

A=5m
S = 25.5 cm
A = 5.2 m
S = 26.5 cm

D S = 9 cm
A = 1.76 m
A = 2.94 m
S = 15 cm

K. B
rech
Pro er and
ject
LIT R. Pun S = 9 cm
EA o
mes (Bost A = 1.76 m
Roo on U
md n
esig iversity
S = 14.5 cm
n by )
A = 2.84 m

S = 9 cm
A = 1.76 m
S = 14.5 cm
A = 2.84 m