Prospect and refuge is found within the spaces we frequent every day. In stores, on campus, and even in our own homes. Prospect and refuge itself is the “theory that seeks to describe why certain environments feel secure and thereby meet basic human psychological needs (Dosen & Ostwald). It’s how we look for spaces to make us feel safe when we are in large, open areas. Once you begin to pay attention to the spaces around you, you will notice how each space provides a prospect and a refuge.
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For me, the first place I think of when I think prospect and refuge is the boutique I work at. The front of the store has large glass windows that allow both the customers and employees to see in and out. There is no privacy created with these windows therefore providing full prospect for whoever wants to see in or out of the store. In contrast, the refuge is created with the employee office in the back. It is a safe place that only employees can go to provide a break from the constant customer interaction. Even within a space that is designed for constant interaction, there is still prospect and refuge found.
The second place I think of for prospect and refuge is on my college’s campus. Every day I park in the parking garage, which has a built in store and sitting area in the lobby. The sitting area is covered completely by glass and provides no privacy for you and your acquaintances while you eat or chat. Almost every day, I either see someone I know through the glass or someone sees me. The most private area of the parking garage is the bathrooms in the long hallway. It is there where you can almost be certain that no one will Snapchat you a picture of yourself while you’re eating a sandwich. The glass sitting area provides the prospect, while the hallway and bathrooms provide the refuge within the parking garage.
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| photo by me |
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| photo by me |
The last place I think of for prospect and refuge is my own bedroom. I’ve talked before about how much I love my room and the comfort it provides me, but I am certain that I feel this way because of the layout of my room. When you first walk into my room, you are greeted with the bathroom and a hallway that leads to the more private part of my room where my bed and desk are. The hallway is the prospect of my room and the main area is the refuge. When guests are over they can use my bathroom without ever having to go into my room, or I can remain in my room and still hear everything happening in the apartment without anyone seeing me. It is the perfect prospect and refuge for being social and hiding from people.
References
Dosen, A. & Ostwald, M. (2013). Prospect and refuge theory: Constructing a critical definition for architecture and design. International Journal of Design in Society. 6. 9-23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286123657_Prospect_and_refuge_theory_Constructing_a_critical_definition_for_architecture_and_design
Great examples of prospect and refuge! You used places I go frequently which helped me have a better understanding on the subject!
ReplyDeleteThe example you have of the office in your work place as a refuge was a great example!
ReplyDeleteLove your personal example of your refuge! I feel the exact same way about my bedroom. I really enjoy how relatable your posts are especially since we live in the same apartment complex!
ReplyDelete