Spatialising Grief. A Landscape-based investigation of atmosphere and recovery
I consider atmosphere as a spatial layer of a site and as such, a critical aspect of how urban landscapes are experienced. In this way atmosphere is understood as more than a feeling or sense of connection to a place, thus an intangible fixture that allows spaces to be both unique and general to a person at a given moment (Andersson 73 - 76) .Atmospheric space is thus nonphysical and engages a sensation of emotion and thought rather than the senses of sight, touch, and sound. I identify this layer of space lacks coherence within the urban fabric of cities which tend to focus on landscape as a focus of movement and functions. Spaces for reflection are most often formalised within the city, reflecting on a general scale rather than allowing for individual reflection. Memorials are designed to represent the grief of the city in regards to a specific event and work as a symbolic statement. In this way whilst memorials prompt a form of reflection on collective grief, they do not make a context for individuals personal connections to their own grieving process..This design considers how landscape architecture can design urban spaces that carry such influence. To approach this issue the project uses atmosphere, an ethereal layer of design, to create spaces that allow for positive reflection for those grieving by way of small triggers or ‘vignettes’. These subtle aspects of design prompt a walker experiencing grief to transcend the space, if only for a moment, and aid their recovery process. The project draws on both landscape design discourse and psychology. Research on grief clinically and emotionally has demonstrated a general process of one’s relationship to grief and its eventual transition from a hostile antagonist relation to a friendly companion (Vaughn 36 - 40). This recovery process, yielded in distinct shifts and changes,has formed the basis for the ‘vignettes’ in this design. These moments have informed the design and driven the composition of connection between space and griever. The project explores how atmosphere can be used in design (method) as a ‘connector’ between the user and site. Existing atmospherics of the site are identified and used as a foundation with subtle and minimally noticeable elements. This design approach allows for both a more general engagement for the everyday user whilst creating a canvas for the more reflective walker to interpret. This design research contributes to discourse that uses emotions to create subtle and light handed landscapes. It shows that when engaging with complex emotions, such as grief, joy, and fear, bold or literal gestures in the landscape are not always required.