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.
Author(s): Phillip James Tabb
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 238
City: New York
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
