Present-moment awareness, also known as mindfulness, is the practice of focusing entirely on the present. In this meditative practice, worries about the past and future give way to a heightened awareness of the *here and now*, which includes awakening a space-mediated self-awareness through the perception of feelings, sensations, and the surrounding environment.
In this context of awakening to self-awareness, the power of the built environment to serve as a refuge cannot be overlooked. While social interaction is vital for maintaining human health, privacy and spaces of retreat are equally essential.
