Abstract:
This thesis was an attempt to address the critical question of how the notion of share economy can be architecturally reflected to benefit the environmental sustainability. In order to understand and investigate the share economy's potential contribution towards the environmental sustainability, relevant literature, which surrounds the topics of sustainability, the current obstacles and the share economy and its potential, was reviewed. It was found that the core environmental potential of share economy is to match and host more programs with less resources. For instance, the internet service 'Airbnb' allows users to find and match private supplies of under-utilised bed rooms and houses with traveller's temporary accommodation demands. It can be seen as win-win for both suppliers and users. However, the real winning is also for the environment. The more it matches under-utilised private resources with private demands, the less the commercial supply is needed. In other words, the less resource extraction is needed to construct corporate commercial supplies, such as massive hotel chains. Same logic could apply to other resources, such as offices, cars and so on. The found environmental benefit is about resource utilization efficiency. To implement the found ideas architecturally, the site next to the new Otahuhu interchange and train station was strategically chosen. One of the most significant propositions was to design 'Park and ride' facility with 'On demand community centre' that sits above the parking. Unlike conventional static single functioned space, proposed 'Park and ride' and 'On demand community centre' were designed to utilise resource and space better by hosting different occasional and seasonal programs. This thesis has answered the critical question by capturing potential aspect of share economy and applying it architecturally. Developed architectural reflection was to become better hosting structure to accommodate and adapt continuously changing demands and programs. Along with the value of this thesis as a whole, the literature review has got its own separate value. It has connected relevant literature together to initiate the ground for further research, in the similar fields, to be developed in the future.