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Intersections of architecture, poetry and wellbeing, at the Brion Cemetery: catharsis, self-awareness, and reframing

Barbero, Irini 2023. Intersections of architecture, poetry and wellbeing, at the Brion Cemetery: catharsis, self-awareness, and reframing. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
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Abstract

‘If the architecture is any good, a person who looks and listens will feel its good effects without noticing’ claims Carlo Scarpa. This thesis explores wellbeing by demonstrating the role architecture can play in evoking a broad range of emotions to support wellbeing, as evidenced through a close study of three close readings of spaces at the Brion Cemetery: The Propylaea, the Water Pavilion, and the Arcosolium. The methodology follows a phenomenological theoretical framework, applying three phenomenological paths as defined by David Seamon: first-person, existential, and hermeneutical. The close study includes personal visits on-site, personal observations and use of photography for the first-person approach; architectural students’ observations and interviews, and an interview with Scarpa’s close collaborator ,Guido Pietropoli-for the existential approach; the readings and interpretations of the guestbook found on-site at the Brion Cemetery as well as of the archival original material by Scarpa (drawings, texts, letters, notes, and cigarette packs) – for the hermeneutical approach. The structure of the thesis is as follows: The first chapter introduces the thesis, with its aims, structure, content, and a glossary of terms. Three defining moments are described as prompts to shifts in the understanding of the phenomena at hand. This chapter presents the basis of how the research is conducted and the main pillars it relies upon. The second chapter introduces the general literature review, with a review that examines the interdisciplinary intersections of the three fields of architecture, poetry, and wellbeing, as well as a review on Scarpa and the Brion Cemetery. Overall, the chapter investigates the gap which is found at the intersections of architecture, poetry, and wellbeing and argues for the expansion of these intersections. The third chapter describes the methodology, with a detailed description of all methods used and steps followed. All the steps are presented, as well as the primary materials collection and analysis process. The following three chapters are the core chapters of analysis and evidence psychological reactions, possible at the Brion Cemetery. More specifically they evidence: a. The fourth chapter discusses the theme of emotional identification and emotional release – also known as catharsis- specifically, at the intersecting circles, of the Propylaea. The chapter sustains that the presence of emotions and the experiences of emotional release and identification are intimately connected with the poetry present at the Brion Cemetery. b. The fifth chapter examines the theme of self-awareness, at the Water Pavilion. The chapter argues that the Water Pavilion allows a sense of presence and of intense self-awareness. This, in turn, can be a powerful mechanism towards wellbeing. It is the gift that the architect as a poet makes, Guido Pietropoli observes so that the person may encounter themselves. c. The sixth chapter discusses the theme of reframing at the Arcosolium. The chapter argues that the Cemetery and specifically the Arcosolium offers a possibility of shifting preconceived notions, and reflecting upon universal and life-changing experiences, such as death and love. The chapter connects them to a sense of wellbeing and sustains that poetry allows such mechanisms to be at play. The close study of three tangible spatial readings evidences the range of emotions evoked by architectural mechanisms at the Brion Cemetery. Aligning with poetry connections to wellbeing and Poetry Therapy's interpretation of wellbeing, the thesis interprets the Brion Cemetery as enabling emotions, and recommends that spaces for wellbeing should allow similar opportunities to evoke emotions. The seventh chapter presents an analysis by bringing together common threads from each of the case study chapters, and discusses in more depth the findings and the role of poetry in connection to wellbeing at the Brion Cemetery. The dynamic and static elements are analysed as critical characteristics of the Cemetery and indicative of a broad spectrum of experiential reactions. Following that a correlation of the body, natural & architectural elements as common threads in all three tangible moments in space, is presented. Lastly, the three interpretations of wellbeing, catharsis, self-awareness and reframing are further analysed. The eighth chapter, being the conclusion of the research, summarises the findings and proposes future direction for the research.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Date Type: Completion
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Architecture
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 5 July 2024
Last Modified: 12 Aug 2024 11:01
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/170154

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