Prospect & Refuge

Balance is an extremely important factor when analyzing the space were in, especially when it comes to our perception of open and closed environments. Prospect is identified as an open environment with broad views, bright and open space with "perching" to overlook outside activity from the comfort of your safe space. Refuge is identified as a closed environment which provides refuge, narrow views, and overall protection from the outside world along with it's stressors. It is important to find a balance between prospect and refuge when designing a space to not only provide the ability to look out and see what is going on in the open space around you but also provide a safe, private space for your client. This balance is known as the prospect-refuge theory.

Prospect-refuge theory was developed by English geographer, Jay Appleton. In his book, Experience of Landscape, Jay proposed that humans seek out to review the space around them based on two factors- to have opportunity to seek out the world around them while remaining in a safe place. An article on the Universal Principles of Design states, "The prospect-refuge principle suggests that people prefer the edges, rather than middles of spaces; spaces with ceilings or covers overhead; spaces with few access points (protected at the back or side); spaces that provide unobstructed views from multiple vantage points; and spaces that provide a sense of safety and concealment."

In day to day life, I can definitely see how the role of prospect-refuge theory has been a significant factor in human life through time. I can imagine the castles back in medieval times playing a large role in prospect-refuge theory. This includes having large, protective barriers of the castle walls and closed off rooms for protection from invaders for refuge, while having huge vantage points to over look the surrounding landscape in an unseen, protected space as a prospect of the castle.  

Castles have tall towers and walls to provide not only hidden safety, but also open views of the surrounding landscape, ultimately providing prospect-refuge for it's inhabitants
Image retrieved from medieval castle

Within my personal life, I can see prospect-refuge theory playing roles within spaces I pass through everyday. At home, my horse, Cricket, lives in a stall where she has the ability to have prospect and refuge within her space. She can choose to stay within the inside of her stall and have refuge but can always peek outside her stall to have a safe prospect over the space surrounding her stall while still staying within her safe and comfortable space. She can also choose to have total prospect over her surroundings by exiting through the backside of her stall to the open pasture connected to her space.

I rode competitively since the age of 7 until my sophomore year of high school when I transferred into competitive triathlon. I now compete on an NCAA women's triathlon team. This image was taken by my dad after my horse, Cricket, and I won the State Championships in eventing. 

Overall, prospect-refuge theory plays a big role with how we feel or perceive a space around us. We all like to feel safe within our personal space while still having the ability to see what is going on around us. Today, try to see how prospect-refuge theory plays a role within your everyday life!

Little girl peeking through her backyard fence to see what the next door neighbor's dogs are up to. She is able to safely stay in the comfort of her refuge space while having prospect over her surroundings.
Simple sketch drawn by me

Source: Universal Principles of Design