Prospect-Refuge

     The entire concept of prospect-refuge has dated back as far as humans have existed and settled down. It is the natural instinct of the need to protect ourselves, and to feel secure in whatever habitat we may be in. The ability to have our rear covered and to see whats unfolding in front and around us gives us the necessary feeling of enviromental control, which then allows us to behave naturally and comfortably. 

    So what exactly does "prospect" include? Well, prospect means "the possibilty or lieklihood of some future event occuring", but in this context, it relates to our perception and abilty to view, predict, and prepare for what is happening around us. As for the refuge part, it is a prett well known word that refers to the "condition of being safe or secure from dangers or persuers", in other words, a bastion. The origanal theory devoloped in 1975 by an English geographer, Jay Appleton, who concluded that humans (and nature overall) have the instinctual need to see without being seen, as a safety measure but also as a way to cope with the exterior and interior world. We unintentionally design spaces to cater to this theory, just because it is so natural and human. Like nobody really chooses to sit in the middle of a particular space without a good reason. It is typical for us to sit along the edges of a place, or with our backs against a wall. This is what makes us comfortable. 

(Prospect-Refuge)

    So what exactly does "prospect" include? Well, prospect means "the possibilty or lieklihood of some future event occuring", but in this context, it relates to our perception and abilty to view, predict, and prepare for what is happening around us. As for the refuge part, it is a prett well known word that refers to the "condition of being safe or secure from dangers or persuers", in other words, a bastion. I think that when we get really into the roots of prospect refuge, we realie taht we are mimiking nature and its natural abilty to provide prospect refuge. This theory is especially effective when combined with biophillia which is the includion and bringing in of nature into a space or design decision. This is a super basic way to connect the occupier to feel secluded within the building but also get the feeling of seeing the span of nature before them.

    I also think the application of prospect refuge is completely different depending on the purpose of a space. For example, prospect refuge within a business setting may include just simple cubicle barriers, so that a phone call could take place without any interuuptions. I hope this isn't the solution, but that is an appropriote usage. But what if we were to apply this theory to a residential setting? Then the application would completely differ. It would then be necessary to have design elements that mainly include complete visual privacy and client comfort. In healthcare, prospect refuge is a major deal, not only the privacy part, but also the feeling of safety for the patients is a vital aspect that should be in consideration. For a lot of patients, coming to the doctor's office for an appointment is a super personal and vulnerable situation that requires discreteness and security.

    So whether you are aware of prospect refuge all around you or not, it is there, and I bet if you simply just look around and focus, that you would be able to ree examples of it everywhere, both in society but also in nature.

Sources:

Bogaard, Kela. “Interior Habitats: The Theory of Prospect and Refuge.” Contract Design, 17 May 2017, www.contractdesign.com/practice/healthcare/interior-habitats-the-theory-of-prospect-and-refuge/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2021.

Sugihto, Esther. “Prospect — Refuge Theory.” Medium, 17 May 2016, medium.com/@social_archi/prospect-refuge-theory-ca5d80379e51#:~:text=Prospect%20%E2%80%94%20refuge%20theory.%20Prospect-refuge%20theory%20was%20developed. Accessed 4 Dec. 2021.