Dr. Suzanne Bott's, Planner, National Park Service, presentation from WMA 2011 session Spirit of Place and Reconciliation.

1. Western Museums Association
September 25, 2011
Suzanne Bott, PhD, AICP
National Park Service – Pacific West

2. 1. Definition of Spirit of Place
2. The Science behind SoP:
Disciplines & Fields of Study
3. The Need for the Science
4. Components of SoP
5. Sacred Tea Ceremony

3. Spirit of Place is defined as:
the physical and spiritual
elements that give meaning,
value, emotion and mystery to
place.
(ICOMOS Declaration on the Safeguard of the Spirit of Place, 2008)

4. Tangible elements:
buildings, sites, landscapes, routes, objects
Intangible elements:
memories, narratives, written documents,
rituals, festivals, traditional knowledge,
values, textures, colors, fragrances

5. TANGIBLE INTANGIBLE
Physical Spiritual

6. TANGIBLE TANGIBLE INTANGIBLE INTANGIBLE
Setting Personal Setting Personal
Natural & Functional Spiritual &
Social Psychological
Built
Environment

7. A System of Overlapping Layers

8. • Environmental Psychology – the
relationship of humans to environment
• Phenomenology – “Being in a Place”
• Anthropology – humanity
• Biology – living systems (Biophilia)
• Ecopsychology – the relationship of
humans to natural systems

9. • Geography –Topophilia & Geopiety
• Western Medicine – The Science and
Art of Healing
• Eastern Medicine – Spirit, Qi or Chi
• Green Building for physical health &
sustainability
• BLUE Building for Healing the Spirit?

11. Yoh Isogai and Catherine Dulac
Harvard University 09/25/11
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44661255/ns/technology_and_science-science/?GT1=43001

13. The two most important needs in the
aftermath of conflict:
• to affirm a sense of identity
• to regain control over one’s life
People seek solace in that which is
familiar and cherished (i.e., home)
(ICCROM: Cultural Heritage in Postwar Recovery, Stanley-Price, 2005)

14. Physical connection to a place (Tangible)
• The Physical Hearth – A Physical Home
• Shelter is a fundamental need
Emotional connection to place (Intangible)
• A Virtual Hearth - Spiritual Shelter &
Safety, Emotional Refuge, Relief, Rest
• Kinship, Recognition, Belonging

15. • Processing of sensory / therapeutic stimuli
• Multi-sensory: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell
• Vegetation, Water, Sunlight & Shade
• Energy – Feng Shui (Wind & Water), Qi,
Ionic energy, Ley lines, Morphic fields
• Restorative Value (Medicinal)

16. • Connection to a Higher Power or Cosmos
• Connection to our ancestors
• Understanding the “Story” –Authenticity
• Emotions - Awe, Delight, Humor, Joy,
Mystery, Surprise, Wonder, Fun
• Compassion and Respect

17. Context – of the place, understanding the
setting (Design with Nature - Ian McHarg)
Architectural style - beauty and authenticity
(A Pattern Language - Christopher Alexander)
Fundamentals - The Golden Mean & Sacred
Geometry; Scale, Balance Proportion, Symmetry
Accessibility – Both Physical and Spiritual

20. Spirit of Place and Reconciliation: Pearl Harbor Sacred Tea Ceremony July 19, 2011
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released

21. Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the 15th Grand Tea Master of the Urasenke School of Tea prepares tea
to honor the deceased entombed at the USS Arizona Memorial and to pray for world peace
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico/RELEASED
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released

22. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico/RELEASED

23. Pearl Harbor survivors Alfred Rodrigues, left, Rey Emory, and Sterling Cale,
right, are honored at the USS Arizona Memorial Photo: AP 19, 201

24. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico/RELEASED

25. Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA)
Architectural & Environmental Phenomenology (EAP)
Academy for Neuroscience and Architecture (AFNA)
The Center for Health Design - Evidence-based Design
Accreditation and Certification (EDAC)
ICOMOS – Declaration on the Safeguard of the Spirit of
Place, 2008 (ICOMOS - Paris)
ICCROM – Cultural Heritage in Postwar Recovery, 2008
(ICCROM - Rome)

26. Healing Spaces – Esther Sternberg, MD
View Through a Window - Roger Ulrich, Texas A&M
A Pattern Language – Christopher Alexander
Sacred Geometry – Robert Lawlor
The Power of Limits – Gyorgi Doczi
Genius Loci – Christian Norberg Schulz
Design with Nature – Ian McHarg