Prospect-Refuge. Ever heard of it?

Humans, at our core, are mammals simply trying to survive. The theory of ‘Prospect-Refuge’ is one that is derived from a broader theory known as ‘Habitat Theory’. Habitat Theory covers why animals and humans react in certain ways to different environments. The theory of Prospect-Refuge then dives into details about why humans innately respond to the two different environment settings that come with wanting to openly explore the world versus wanting to seek shelter and privacy.

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PROSPECT

◊ The meaning of prospect within ‘Prospect-Refuge’ describes the instinctual desire humans hold to connect with their natural surroundings; to have a visual understanding of their environment. Think going on a hike to a specific higher point destination. We are intentionally setting out on our journey to meet an end goal of overlooking a view that will provide us the connection and inspiration we need to keep on keepin’ on. Overlooking the ocean is another good example of large-scale prospect. There is a wisdom so spiritually in tuned with nature to be soaked up when sitting on the back balcony overlooking such a vast and calmly colored fluid energy.

Photo Credit: Me at OBX, NC

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REFUGE

◊ The meaning of refuge within ‘Prospect-Refuge’ describes our instinctual needs to seek shelter and privacy; somewhere to feel safe, to self-protect. In nature, we can seek refuge in caves or under trees so wide they make us feel covered and hidden from the surrounding open space. Many of us humans find solace and security within the private rooms of our homes. Especially those with fireplaces and dim lighting. Think about it, places of refuge in nature may often have shade (under a tree) or low light (caves) and the fire within the fireplace is a pure connection to nature. It makes sense that a design to mimic the same will provide us with a feeling of sanctuary.

Sketch Credit: Me

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PROSPECT & REFUGE

◊ What we now must do is learn how to incorporate both prospect and refuge into our designs. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater design is a wonderful example of how to successfully design prospect-refuge on a large scale. A section of the home hangs dangerously over a small waterfall, providing the users an overlooking connection to nature (prospect), while also feeling hidden and secure within shelter (refuge). A smaller scale example of using the prospect-refuge theory within a design can be achieved when thinking of where to place a gazebo within an open space. Whether public or on your own property, you want to place it in an area in which the user will feel hidden to others, yet can see out over their surroundings.

Photo Credit: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

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I experience prospect-refuge almost daily as I sit by my backyard sliding doors and work. My home sits on a hill. So, from my sliding glass doors, I can see out over my entire back yard. I live beside a church who has a large, grassy lot that is pretty much part of my back yard. The church utilizes their lot often, for games and outdoor gatherings. When they have stuff going on back there, I feel like I see everything that happens without being seen myself. I love it, lol. “This theory, originating in landscape studies, argues that human evolution resulted in an innate preference for spaces or places where one can remain hidden, yet simultaneously have a broad outlook—in other words, we can see, but not be seen” (Ochsner, 2018).

Peer Reviewed Citation:

Ochsner, J. K. (2018). The experience of prospect and refuge: F rank lloyd wright's

houses as holding environments. American Imago, 75(2), 179-211.