Architectural Settings Which Facilitate Transcultural Understanding

Abstract

To understand how a space can promote trans-cultural understanding, it is imperative to understand transculturalism. It is defined as seeing one's self in the other (Cuccioletta, 2002). This means finding aspects of, or similar to, one's own culture in a different culture. Transculturalism is a tool for creating understanding, and therefore bridging cultural gaps. Transculturalism seeks to remove the us versus them attitude by eliminating the concept of the other. There is an important distinction to make between the ideas of transculturalism and multiculturalism. They are parallel ideas, encouraging the mixing of cultures, but in differing applications. Multiculturalism seeks to identify and celebrate the differences of cultures. Often, multicultural is commonly used to discuss diversity. A culture's unique identity creates unique individuals within the culture and forms stronger bonds between members.