Intertwining Cultural Lifestyles

Abstract

This thesis examines the architectonic factors required to develop a social housing model suitable to accommodate large extended pacific families, specifically within Mangere, Auckland. Focusing on the current redevelopment in Mangere which requires additional medium-density housing options, and is moving away from the existing single detached State house dwellings. This research enhances upon one of the planned sites to be redevloped within the proposed Mangere development. This site is to be the foundation for a new housing alternative outcome reflective of my research to reflect the diverse cultural lifestyles residing within Mangere. This thesis draws upon pacific village settlements, spatial typologies, social interaction, shared facilities, and cultural origins. Community housing has been widely explored as a way of addressing issues of social engagement, identity, and housing affordability with large numbers moving into social housing environments where these issues have not been addressed. There is a distinct absence of diverse architectural developments to suit the population of pacific families within New Zealand. Auckland is home to majority of New Zealand’s pacific population. More specifically, with a significant number of Pacific families living within social housing communities, characteristics of these developments become crucial when Supporting and reflecting their personal identity, uniqueness, and connections into the broader community. Implying lessons from Samoan village living and co-housing living environments to create a framework that will explore the extent to which this development can create connections to community lifestyles, cultural values, and pacific identity. Imposing a sense of community and affordability through community housing with the importance of flexibility, openness, courtyards, cultural values, and shared spaces to benefit the re-development of social housing. This thesis grasps at the opportunity to explore what architectonic factors need to be considered to define social housing and neighbourhood developments suitable to accommodate large extended pacific families?