Thin Places

Thin places, characterized by their ability to evoke self-transcendent experiences beyond everyday life, are identified as significant sites for spiritual and emotional responses. These locations, found in both natural and built environments, offer new perspectives that challenge conventional human experience. The study explores the physical characteristics of thin places, such as the role of 'the veil' as a spiritual threshold, and examines seminal works by scholars like Rudolf Otto, William James, and Edward Casey to understand concepts like serenity, awe, and the numinous. Thin places are shown to provide measurable benefits, including reinvigorated conceptual language for planning and design, with practical recommendations for architects and designers. The research integrates pre-Christian origins of thin places in Ireland, such as Skellig Michael, with modern theoretical frameworks.

Tabb, P. J. (2023). Thin Places. Thin Place Design, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003354888-1