The house as a refuge

Abstract

The notion of refuge in relation to house refers to the provision of shelter from a particular condition. Notions of refuge have been used in relation to house but have seldom been adequately defined by reference to the specific conditions from which refuge is sought. As such the notion of refuge has remained general, requiring further definition if it is to be used, or referred to, productively. This paper attempts to show that specific notions of refuge, and their architectural definitions, are provisional, dependent upon the context from which refuge is sought. The Venetian Villa, the Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier, and the 'Electronic Shadow' conceptual house project by Peter Wilson all articulate specific definitions of 'refuge' that arise from their respective contexts. From these examples, it follows the notion of 'refuge' - in its specificity - can only be meaningfully understood through the vehicle of this 'defining with respect to context'.