Risk, peril and awe

In this post, I explore some of the patterns of biophilic design: categorized into nature interactions, spatial qualities, and the psychological impact of environments. The feelings of risk, peril, and awe highlight how these elements could enhance experience in authentic spaces.

Note: This post explores the psychological and wellbeing benefits of naturism within biophilic environments. It contains illustrations depicting nudity and the human form.

In my last post, I mentioned the work by Terrapin Bright Green about the patterns of biophilia and how they can be incorporated into the built environment. The patterns are grouped into three categories

Nature in the space

This is, essentially, the stuff you put in, on and around a building to evoke a sense of being in nature

• Visual connection with nature (e.g. plants and greenery)
• Non-visual connection with nature (e.g. scents and soundscapes)
• Non-rhythmic connections with nature
• Thermal and airflow variability
• Presence of water
• Dynamic and diffuse light
• Connection with natural systems

Natural analogues

This relates to materials and nature-inspired design

• Biomorphic forms and patterns
• Material connections with nature
• Complexity and order

Nature of the space

This is the area I find most fascinating, as it relates not just to what is used, but how the space is used and how we feel in the space.

• Prospect: views over a distance
• Refuge: a place for withdrawal where there is safety, privacy and room to contemplate
• Mystery: encouragement to travel deeper into the environment
• Risk / peril: an unidentifiable threat coupled with the knowledge of a reliable safeguard
• Awe: stimuli that defy an existing frame of reference and lead to a change in perception

I think that the last two patterns can be the ones that can be most revealing of themselves and of ourselves. This is the bridge between biophilia and aletheia.

The patterns of risk / peril and awe are deeply rooted in our innate psychological and biological responses. When applied to an aletheic environment – a space where truth, non-concealment and unconcealedness are central – the experience becomes about confronting reality directly and authentically.

Experiencing risk and peril in an aletheic environment

Risk and peril is about feeling an identifiable threat coupled with a sense of security. In a true, unconcealed space, this isn’t about physical danger but about psychological and social vulnerability.

The peril is the risk of being seen, judged, and fully exposed, not physically but in a raw, authentic state. The safeguard is the trust and acceptance of the environment and the people within it. This creates a sense of profound psychological safety.

As a sensory experience, the peril could be the feeling of being fully exposed to the elements, such as the cold touch of stone, an unexpected breeze, being caught in a shower of rain or the warmth of the sun on the skin. This is a direct, unmediated sensory feedback which leads to an authentic, unconcealed experience of the environment.

When we consider the design of a space, we might think about spaces with a high, open ceiling (prospect) that also has small, intimate nooks (refuge). The “risk” is the exposure of the open area, while the “safety” is the option to retreat. The design itself mirrors the push and pull of vulnerability and security.

Experiencing awe in an aletheic environment

Awe, as a pattern, is about confronting something vast and complex that challenges our existing understanding. In an aletheic context, awe comes from a sense of truth and connection.

Awe can be evoked by witnessing the raw, unconcealed power of nature.

In nature, these environments could be vast forests, open plains, high waterfalls of sheer cliff faces. Places where we really can recognise our vulnerability against such scale and natural power, but also knowing that, as a species, we have been able to navigate, and even thrive, in such environments.

Sometimes, we can also create such spaces. Places like the Great Pyramids, Stonehenge, vast cathedrals and temples all evoke a sense of awe. More modern spaces such as the magnificent palm house at Kew Gardens, the Eden Project in Cornwall or even places such as Bangalore Airport can make one gasp.

Imagine a large indoor waterfall, a living wall that extends through multiple floors, or a glass ceiling that reveals the night sky. These elements present a complex, vast system that you can directly experience, connecting you to something bigger than yourself.

Unconcealed Design

Awe can also come from the honesty of the materials and structure. Exposed building materials like raw concrete, untreated wood, or a direct view of a building’s mechanical systems can be awe-inspiring in their authenticity and lack of artifice.

The complexity and beauty of biomorphic forms can also inspire awe. A large, spiral staircase mimicking a seashell or a structure with branching columns like a tree can create a sense of wonder and connection to the vast patterns of life.

Raw exposure: nudity amplifies the experience

Nudity in these spaces doesn’t just add to the experience; it can fundamentally change it, making the sensations of risk, peril, and awe more intense and immediate. It is easier to achieve in a natural environment, but could be possible in the built environment – perhaps through out-of-hours naturist tours of places like a grand botanic garden or architectural masterpiece.

Being unclothed removes a primary layer of social protection and concealment. It makes the risk of being seen more palpable and immediate, which in turn makes the safety of the trusting environment even more profound. The body’s immediate vulnerability to temperature changes and textures also heightens the sensory peril and the confidence in a safeguard.

Nudity creates a direct and unmediated experience. Being naked removes the physical and psychological barrier between the person and the environment. You are not just observing the space, you are directly interacting with it through your whole body. This unmediated connection enhances the feeling of aletheia, as there is no concealment between you and the truth of the space.

The experience of awe becomes embodied. Instead of just a mental concept, you feel the smallness of your body in a vast space or the intricate complexity of a natural pattern against your skin. This can lead to a deeper, more visceral sense of wonder and connection to the world around you.

The integration of nudity in an aletheic, biophilic space is not just about personal preference but about a deeper philosophical alignment with the patterns themselves, a move towards total non-concealment and an authentic experience of the world.