The Power of Transformative Architecture
How architecture in nature-based tourism can enhance an environment and affect those who visit it.
Picture yourself standing on the beach, watching waves crash on the shore, with birds flying above, completely captivated by the surroundings. Now imagine the same beach has a glass-bottom pier stretching out into the water, allowing you to walk deeper into the sea, feeling a sense of closeness to your surroundings. You see the fish swimming beneath you, and the ocean breeze almost sways you. Both scenarios present the same landscape, but in the second, you feel more connected to the environment through the integration of architecture. In Ben Wielenga’s paper, How Architecture Transforms Our Experiences with Nature, he explores how architecture can enhance human experiences in natural environments. Through three case studies, Wielenga demonstrates how immersive architecture in nature can deepen people’s connection to these spaces, bringing with it social, environmental, and economic benefits.
As cities and urbanization expands, fewer people take the time to fully engage with nature. Nature has always been a source of peace and beauty, but simply observing it from a distance isn’t as compelling as an immersive experience. Wielenga focuses on how architecture in nature-based tourist areas can encourage deeper interaction with the environment, suggesting that architecture in nature areas should go above being purely functional or observational areas. Citing scholars like Seeker and Schanzel (2019) and Pine and Gilmore (1998), Wielenga argues that thoughtful design can spark curiosity, reflection, and emotional engagement, making people feel more connected to nature. For example, a stone walkway in a forest blends into the environment seamlessly, giving the observer a feeling of harmony and calmness and a chance to connect with the environment. This offers a much nicer and immersive experience than a metal observation deck with an obstructed view. An architect's goal with creating a space should be to spark curiosity, enhance connection, and immerse people with the area. When done correctly, architecture should encourage people to have a greater appreciation for the world around them and invite them to explore and connect with their surroundings.
Wielenga notes that immersive activities, such as yoga retreats or nature-based workshops, have attempted to bring people closer to nature but often fall short (Filmier et al., 2019). These strategies are not the most effective way to connect people to nature since there are several factors at hand that will affect how successful it is. Such activities are usually time-intensive, require specific interests, and attract limited audiences. In contrast, transformative architecture offers an inclusive and more efficient way to immerse people with nature. The most important thing to take into account is the way it is embedded into its surroundings. Thoughtful design can enhance a landscape without disturbing it, fostering respect and appreciation. The main reason most national organizations are hesitant to develop recreational spaces is because it may risk damaging the ecosystem. However, Wielenga argues that architecture can support sustainability by creating spaces that respect and protect natural ecosystems while encouraging people to engage with them.
The architecture of an area gives it meaning. Transformative architecture is about creating spaces that offer more than just functionality; it brings emotional, physical, and social benefits. This kind of architecture influences how people feel, act, behave, and perceive the world around them. It can even positively impact physical health, encourage community connections, and promote cultural conservation (Wolf et al., 2017). This approach to architecture is becoming increasingly popular in tourism, providing spaces where people can experience nature on a personal level without disrupting the ecosystem. The effort is worthwhile, since it’ll expose people to nature in ways they hadn’t interacted with before, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment.
Beyond emotional and social benefits, transformative architecture also brings economic and environmental advantages. In terms of tourism and economy, inviting spaces lead to higher visitor satisfaction, repeat visits, and positive word of mouth, resulting in a positive reputation for the area, improving local businesses and promoting economic stability. From an environmental perspective, immersing people in nature will result in them gaining a greater appreciation for their environment. The opportunity to experience natural beauty up close promotes positive attitudes toward nature and its restoration and conservation, encouraging volunteerism and stewardship, as well as increasing the biodiversity of the landscapes. By investing in aesthetic, immersive spaces, we can benefit people, communities, and our environment.
Case Studies
In his paper, Wielenga examines three examples of transformative architecture in natural settings:
1. Nature Concert Hall: This concert hall was built to blend into its environment, combining elements such as light, video, music, and space to emphasize the beauty of nature. It portrays the relationship between nature, music, science, and poetry in a way that captivates those who visit it. Wielenga analyzes this structure and explains that it successfully highlights the beauty of nature, brings people closer to the environment, and raises awareness of nature and the importance of sustainable development (Arch2o, 2020).
2. National Scenic Routes, Norway: Secondly, Wielenga studied the National Scenic Routes in Germany, which is a connection of eighteen highways along natural wonders, lined by thoughtful architectural designs. Each stop offers unique perspectives on the landscape, inviting visitors to connect with Norway’s rural beauty and sparking curiosity about local history and culture This allowed for nature to be observed and experienced in new ways. The goal was to promote tourism in the rural areas by the highways, which was successful. The designs along these highways evoked curiosity and interest in tourists, encouraging them to come up with their own narratives of these nature areas (Nasjonale Turistvegar, 2021).
3. Bird Observatory Tij, Netherlands:Lastly, Wielenga studied the Bird Observatory Tij in The Netherlands, which is a giant structure built to represent the egg of a Sandwich Tern, a bird representative to the area where it is built. While this structure stands out due to its size and uniqueness, it also can be viewed as an extension of its environment. It is built in the sand, and it is designed to blend in with its surroundings due to its color, texture, patterns, forms, and natural materials used to create it. This build aims to increase nature awareness, which in turn promotes support and funding for the preservation of nature.
These three examples illustrate how transformative architecture can be implemented to enrich nature-based tourism. Architecture in nature is meant to give a person the opportunity to connect with the environment, and evoke thought, feeling, and reflection into them. Wielenga demonstrates that architecture in natural areas can represent a region’s identity, inspire curiosity, and provide a calming, educational experience. They represent an areas identity by showcasing elements of the environment into the design, providing both form and function, along with economic, environmental, and social advantages, encouraging people to be more appreciative of their environment. With careful planning, architects can shape spaces that encourage people to appreciate and care for the natural world, ultimately fostering a closer connection between people and the environment.