Thin Place Design: Architecture of the Numinous

Description

What makes the places we inhabit extraordinary? Why are some urban spaces more vital and restorative? Wonderful landscapes, inspiring works of architecture and urban design, and the numinous experiences that accompany them have been an integral dimension of our culture. Up-lifting spaces, dramatic use of natural light, harmonic proportional geometry, magical landscapes, historic sites and vital city centers create special, even sacred moments in architecture and planning. This quality of experience is often seen as an aesthetic purpose intended to inspire, ennoble, ensoul and spiritually renew. Architecture and urban spaces, functioning in this way, are considered to be thin places. Cover Half Title Endorsements Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents List of Figures List of Tables About the Author Foreword Preface Acknowledgments 1. Thin Places: Definitions, Origins and Characteristics Thin Places Definitions Origins of Thin Places Thin Places in Ireland Contemporary Theories Thin Place Characteristics The Veil Charged Places “The Wholly Other” Summary Notes 2. Numinous Experiences: Responses of Awe and Serene Emotions Emotional Responses to Thin Places Human Emotions Emotion Research Numinous Experiences Awe Emotions Serene Emotions Religious and Spiritual Experiences Awe and Psychedelic Wellness Need for Accommodation Neuroscience of Emotions Summary Notes 3. Place: Theory, Principles, Patterns and Analyses Place Theory, Principles, Patterns and Analysis The First Place Place Archetypes Ectypal Place Patterns Thin Place Pattern Analysis Thin Place Spatial Sequence Thin Place Benefits Summary Notes 4. Architecture: Thin Places in Architecture and Urban Settings Thin Places in Architecture and Urban Settings Architecture of the Numinous Case Study: The Piazza Del Campo in Siena, Italy Case Study: Civitella Val Di Chiana, Italy Case Study: Skellig Michael Island, Ireland Case Study: The Wadi Bani Oasis Case Study: Chapels of Ronchamp and Rothko Case Study: Twilight Epiphany Skyspace Case Study: Starhouse, Boulder, Colorado Case Study: Two Glass Chapels, Mexico Summary of Architectural Pattern Effectiveness Notes 5. Everyday: Thin Place Experiences Everyday Thin Place Experiences Case Study: The Steeple Dingle, Ireland Case Study: Thin Place Walled-In Garden Case Study: Holy Wells Case Study: Land Art and Labyrinths Case Study: Intimate Scale Thin Places Summary of Small Scale Pattern Effectiveness Notes 6. Conclusion: Concluding Thoughts Concluding Thoughts Notes Glossary of Related Terms Suggested Reading Index