TY - JOUR

T1 - Memorials as Healing Places

T2 - A Matrix for Bridging Material Design and Visitor Experience

AU - Wagoner, Brady

AU - Brescó, Ignacio

PY - 2022/5/31

Y1 - 2022/5/31

N2 - Memorials are increasingly used to encourage people to reflect on the past and workthrough both individual and collective wounds. While much has been written on the history,architectural forms and controversies surrounding memorials, surprisingly little has been done toexplore how visitors experience and appropriate them. This paper aims to analyze how differentmaterial aspects of memorial design help to create engaging experiences for visitors. It outlinesa matrix of ten interconnected dimensions for comparison: (1) use of the vertical and horizontalaxis, (2) figurative and abstract representation, (3) spatial immersion and separation, (4) mobility,(5) multisensory qualities, (6) reflective surfaces, (7) names, (8) place of burial, (9) accommodatingritual, and (10) location and surroundings. With this outline, the paper hopes to provide socialscientists and practitioners (e.g., architects, planners, curators, facilitators, guides) with a set ofkey points for reflection on existing and future memorials and possibilities for enhancing visitorengagement with them.

AB - Memorials are increasingly used to encourage people to reflect on the past and workthrough both individual and collective wounds. While much has been written on the history,architectural forms and controversies surrounding memorials, surprisingly little has been done toexplore how visitors experience and appropriate them. This paper aims to analyze how differentmaterial aspects of memorial design help to create engaging experiences for visitors. It outlinesa matrix of ten interconnected dimensions for comparison: (1) use of the vertical and horizontalaxis, (2) figurative and abstract representation, (3) spatial immersion and separation, (4) mobility,(5) multisensory qualities, (6) reflective surfaces, (7) names, (8) place of burial, (9) accommodatingritual, and (10) location and surroundings. With this outline, the paper hopes to provide socialscientists and practitioners (e.g., architects, planners, curators, facilitators, guides) with a set ofkey points for reflection on existing and future memorials and possibilities for enhancing visitorengagement with them.

U2 - 10.3390/ijerph19116711

DO - 10.3390/ijerph19116711

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35682295

VL - 19

JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

SN - 1661-7827

IS - 11

M1 - 6711

ER -