New Architectural Forms in the Landscape as a Response to the Demand for Beauty in 21st-Century Tourism and Leisure
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21974817 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rafał Blazy (0000-0002-0466-8855, Cracow University of Technology, corresponding author), Hanna Hrehorowicz-Gaber (0000-0002-1567-6172, Cracow University of Technology), Alicja Hrehorowicz-Nowak (0000-0002-4664-9740, Cracow University of Technology), Wiktor Hładki (0009-0000-3762-7761, Cracow University of Technology), Jakub Knapek (0009-0003-5085-5314, Cracow University of Technology) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 18 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-15 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Arts (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2076-0752 • E-ISSN: 2076-0752 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/arts15010018 |
| OpenAlex | W7124478940 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 10 |
The architecture of spas and recreational complexes is increasingly being analyzed not only through the prism of its formal diversity but also through its functional, technical, and esthetic responses to evolving societal expectations. This article descriptively examines the context of evolving user needs and select examples representing new architectural forms integrated into the landscape, responding to the growing demand for beauty (understood subjectively), experiences, and emotional value in 21st-century tourism and recreation. The most diverse and characteristic examples were selected and described in order to maintain a broad context of analysis and illustrate contemporary changes as faithfully as possible. The descriptive approach enables a systematic and comprehensive representation of phenomena, identifying recurring patterns, spatial trends, and contextual relationships. Rather than being limited to numerical data, it provides a structured analytical framework that supports the objective documentation of architectural and urban processes. The aim of this study is to systematize selected design trends that reflect contemporary cultural aspirations and environmental concerns, and to illustrate the evolving relationship between architecture, nature, and users. The results indicate a consistent shift toward landscape-integrated, experiential, and esthetically driven architectural solutions, demonstrating that contemporary tourism facilities increasingly prioritize atmosphere, immersion in nature, and sensory engagement over traditional utilitarian design. This study concludes that beauty, understood as subjective esthetic experience, has become a key determinant in shaping new architectural forms, reinforcing the role of architecture as both a cultural expression and a tool for enhancing well-being in tourism and leisure environments
Architectural design · Beauty · Documentation · Recreation · Tourism · Landscape and Cultural Studies · Urban Development and Cultural Heritage · Urban Green Space and Health · Architecture
| Highly cited | No |
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