Monuments to Memory: Walls that Resonate, Spaces that Speak

Abstract

How can an archaeological exploration of an intergenerational New Zealand state home inform the 21st century domestic? Inspired by the personal experience of losing the family home, this thesis explores the bonds we form with architecture. It seeks to find a means of recreating and encouraging these bonds through residential design, and what this might look like in a rapidly changing and often transient environment. Place attachment, narrative and memory are identified as the basis of an individual’s identity, which highlights the importance of home in cementing a strong sense of self. Research indicates that a strong sense of self improves resilience and confidence in children and adults alike. Abundant evidence for engaging practices that encourage place attachment is explored in order to justify investment into congruent design solutions. Improving connection and place attachment is of significant benefit to the inhabitants of a space. Accepting and acknowledging what makes us ‘us’ is a key aspect of this research. The design proposed in this thesis draws heavily on these ideas; residential architecture that is provocative in its richness, it’s humanity and in its innate appeal are key when considering the future of New Zealand residential architecture, particularly in areas that are transitioning from quarter-acre homes of yesteryear to high density housing. Here, a suburban site once home to a well-loved, intergenerational bungalow is reimagined. Homage is given to the history of the land and past occupants, highlighting the importance of acknowledging our pasts and how memory impacts our ideas of place and of ourselves. Evidence-based design is paired with narrative and poetic intent in order to weave together a design capturing the memories and personalities of the former dwelling and occupants, while encouraging the formation of new ones through engagement with architectural moments. The design proposes four stand-alone residences of varying sizes, each designed with a life-phase and personality. The residences are punctuated with courtyards which define the limits of each property, with a wall of each adjacent dwelling forming the boundary. The design attempts to recreate the original intergenerational bungalow but now reimagined as a series of smaller, suited dwellings designed with the needs of each client in mind. The clients are the author’s own family members, and the design considers their changing needs through the passage of time and into the foreseeable future.