Glance Vs. Gaze

Abstract

This research investigates the phenomenology of vision in response to the following question: What is a way of looking through architecture that can cultivate a positive connection with the landscape? Two modes of vision the glance and the gaze are explored. This research argues that the glance allows one to see more of the landscape than the gaze. The predominance and negative implications of the gaze are highlighted and the position of the glance as an overlooked act of vision is established. This research proposes that the visual act of glancing, through strategically placed and sized window frames, is capable of creating an image that can connect the tourist with the landscape. The glance can then be used to promote landscape regeneration and tourist wellbeing. These ideas are tested in the design of a tourist retreat. The design of the tourist retreat provides the conditions necessary for seeing in particular ways. The visual performance of the tourist is carefully considered in the design. The tourist is treated as the subject and the landscape as the object. This research proposes the tourist’s relationship to landscape can be manipulated through a variety of frames. A comparison between horizontal and vertical frames is made that demonstrates the vertical frame can connect better with the landscape. The proportions of the frames are altered to suit the programme of the tourist retreat. In doing so the tourist retreat transforms the visual performance of the tourism, the tourist and the landscape.