Prospect and Refuge Theory: Constructing a Critical Definition for Architecture and Design

Dosen, Annemarie S.; Ostwald, Michael J.

doi:10.18848/2325-1328/cgp/v06i01/38559

Cited by 39 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…First, a space must have a view or outlook, and second, that view must be at least partially framed or enclosed. Third, a degree of visual complexity enhances feelings of safety and finally, a sense of mystery (implying discoverability or directionality) is preferred (Dosen and Ostwald 2013a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for prospect-refuge theory: a meta-analysis of the findings of environmental preference research

Dosen

Ostwald

2016

City Territ Archit

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Background: Researchers in the field of spatial psychology and environmental preference theory have tested a range of claims about the capacity of certain spatial configurations to evoke a positive sense of wellbeing in observers. In parallel, across the landscape, urban, architectural and interior design disciplines, there has been a growing acceptance that a balance of spatial characteristics-including prospect, refuge, mystery and complexity-is desirable in a natural, urban or interior environment. Yet, the evidence that the design disciplines cite for the desirability of these characteristics is often entirely qualitative and only rarely acknowledges the results from the fields of spatial psychology and environmental preference theory. Methods:The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical overview of the results of quantitative research which has been undertaken into the veracity of prospect-refuge theory and closely associated aspects of environmental preference theory. This meta-analysis not only involves a review of the results, but also their broad classification to develop a more holistic picture of the field, its findings and any gaps. The purpose of this process is not, explicitly at least, to assess the believability or rigour of this past research, but rather to examine and classify the findings, both for and against prospect-refuge theory, in a way that is useful for the design disciplines. Results:Urban and interior studies supported the significance of prospect, and were more neutral about refuge. Studies related to natural environments provided evidence for the significance of both prospect and refuge, which has been linked to comfort, but also included evidence against and a neutral finding. More specifically for designers, the results for complexity seem to confirm that a degree of complexity in interior space is preferred, but they are unclear about how much or where it should be. The results for mystery are less emphatic with the majority being neutral or contrary. Discussion and Conclusions:The quantitative evidence for prospect-refuge theory remains inconsistent. It is especially problematic that the results which are most commonly cited in architecture relate to studies of natural environments, not interiors or urban environments. As this paper demonstrates, the results are most valid in specific venues.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for prospect-refuge theory: a meta-analysis of the findings of environmental preference research

Dosen

Ostwald

2016

City Territ Archit

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“…This assessment guided early humans or human ancestors to perceive and recognize landscape features as they traversed savannas that could be hazards, places of safety as well as resources, friends, foes, potential mates (Appleton, 1996; Hildebrand, 1999). In support of this theory, behavioral studies have generally demonstrated a human preference for prospect and refuge in both exterior and interior environments, as analyzed by Dosen and Ostwald (2013, 2016), which may be supported by specific sensorimotor networks in the brain (Di Dio et al, 2016). Moreover, prospect-refuge theory posits that prospect and refuge are mutually interdependent and much of what is so tacitly attractive about Frank Lloyd Wright’s house designs is said to be their affordance of both prospect and refuge (Hildebrand, 1999).…”

Section: Exploring Neural Constraints On Urban Formmentioning

confidence: 91%

From Savannas to Settlements: Exploring Cognitive Foundations for the Design of Urban Spaces

Brown¹,

Lee

2016

Front. Psychol.

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Urban configurations in developing countries have become the subject of urban design, with good design promoting economic benefits. Yet, the common practice of urban design lacks a principled scientific foundation. In this respect, cognitive neuroscience could provide a unique perspective and potential foundational insights regarding how embodied cognition links configuration with movement. Although the neural networks that underlie navigation abilities in the brain have been extensively studied, the manner in which these networks might best constrain urban configurations has not been examined specifically. Moreover, it remains an open issue whether the neurological development and functional topographies in the brain that could potentially constrain such urban configurations might also replicate the geometric structures of those environments that were the cradle of human evolution. We propose urban grid-form settlement patterns may be a result of the naturally evolved structures of the human brain. We suggest then that a potential agenda for experimentation and debate could focus on neurological underpinnings of movement choices in urban places. Such an agenda would benefit from bridging a gap between C.P. Snow’s two cultures, i.e., among architects and neuroscientists. Here, we provide a perspective to engender such further dialog on the design of embodied urban spaces and the potential neural systems that may constrain their design.

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“…Examining the relationship between prospect-refuge theory and space syntax is quite recent, and so far there is no clear evidence that the two theories can be combined and can strengthen each other in understanding the complex phenomenon of spatial behaviour (Ostwald and Dawes, 2013;Dawes and Ostwald, 2014;Dosen and Ostwald, 2013a;Psathiti and Sailer, 2017).…”

Section: Space Syntax and Prospect-refuge Working In Synergymentioning

confidence: 99%

Space Syntax's Relation to Seating Choices from an Evolutionary Approach

Keszei

Halász²,

Losonczi³

et al. 2019

Period. Polytech. Arch.

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Space syntax provides information on the probabilities of certain behaviour types (e.g., seating choice, movement) depending on the configuration of space. The evolutionary approach (e.g. Appleton’s prospect-refuge theory) in environmental psychology can help designers in creating spaces by providing a better understanding why certain parts of an open space or a building are avoided or occupied, why good "observation points" or "hiding places” are preferred. Our research aimed to explore how different space syntax variables predict specific behaviours – the seating choices of 216 participants – in a 3D virtual model of a lounge area and how the prospect-refuge theory relates to these predictions. The participants had to choose a seat in simulated spaces in two social situations, which differed in the degree of focused work and concentration: one of the situations implied seeing others and being seen, while the other highlighted focused work and hiding. The results show that there was a variation in the seating choices depending on the goal of the situation (user: trying to be seen or hiding). The expected significant correlations with the space syntax measurements were presented in the situations where being seen was the goal of the participants. However, in the situations where hiding was induced, our results need further clarification. Our future goal is to provide quantitative, evidence-based reflection on the prospect-refuge and space syntax theories, and to investigate the psychological factors (e.g., goal of the user) that need further consideration when applying these theories in the design practice.

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Prospect and Refuge Theory: Constructing a Critical Definition for Architecture and Design

Cited by 39 publications

References 0 publications

Evidence for prospect-refuge theory: a meta-analysis of the findings of environmental preference research

Evidence for prospect-refuge theory: a meta-analysis of the findings of environmental preference research

From Savannas to Settlements: Exploring Cognitive Foundations for the Design of Urban Spaces

Space Syntax's Relation to Seating Choices from an Evolutionary Approach

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