Taking the stairs is healthy and good for the environment, but it’s something many are still reluctant to do if there’s an elevator or escalator around. A hospital in Kaohsiung is trying to convince more people to take the stairs by installing an unusual new kind of staircase.
Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital has turned one of its staircases into a piano keyboard.
The idea comes from a similar staircase that was installed in Stockholm’s subway system in 2009. Suddenly, a routine activity became an opportunity for musical expression, and 66% of the people who walked past decided to take the stairs instead of an escalator.
Back in Kaohsiung, the piano staircase stretches up eleven stories, opening up the prospect of weight loss and better health, and, under the right pair of feet, perhaps some beautiful music, too.