Architecture of geothermal places: socially and culturally responsive therapeutic landscapes

ABSTRACT

There is increasing recognition that culture plays a crucial role in shaping therapeutic environments; from fundamental conceptions of wellness and healing, through to cultural relationships with the natural world, and to how spaces are shaped by culturally-specific construction methods and materials. This paper approaches the concept of therapeutic landscapes from an architectural perspective, analysing three separate case studies relating to geothermal architecture from the Ring of Fire. It attempts to bridge a gap in the literature regarding geothermal therapeutic landscapes, by understanding these places not purely as ‘blue spaces’ but rather as socio-cultural encounters which influence material and physical architectural conditions. This paper contributes to our understanding of the role of culture in producing and maintaining architectural places by reflecting on the way in which individuals and groups engage with place, their range of social encounters, experiences, narratives, affective beliefs, and embodiments that combine with architectural materiality and the associated complex culturally-produced meanings.

KEYWORDS:

• Therapeutic landscapes
• blue space
• culturally responsive landscape architecture
• geothermal architecture

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Jacqueline McIntosh is Senior Lecturer, Victoria University of Wellington, School of Architecture. Her main research interests are design-led culturally-appropriate participatory design for improved health and well-being.

Bruno Marques is Programme Director for Landscape Architecture and Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, School of Architecture. His main research interests relate to the integration of Indigenous methods in participatory design in landscape rehabilitation and ecosystem services.

Kezia Fairbrother is Graduate in Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, School of Architecture. Her research skills and expertise are related to culture, architecture and Kaupapa Māori’s subjects in relation to design-led culturally-appropriate architectural design.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Health Research Council of New Zealand [grant number E2906].