NATURE | BEING | CONTEMPLATION: Framing Human Experiences in Zion National Park

Abstract

For almost two centuries, people have traveled to America's National Parks to experience the majesty and grandeur of nature. In a physical search for renewal and truth, many people turn to the American landscape to reap the benefits of nature's revitalizing qualities. These spiritual and enlightening experiences unite humans to a particular place and invite them to perceive their environments through all their senses harmoniously. This analysis will characterize the contributing perceptual systems and natural phenomena to explore new ways of instigating powerful experiences in Zion National Park in order to create a set of architectural principles that can improve the transcendent experiences in the splendor of nature. Through the introduction of a welcoming interpretive center in the Kolob portion of Zion, this thesis will set a framework for future generations of artists and architects to continue to enhance the phenomena of the park with minimal disruption.