Abstract:
This thesis explores the unrealised potential within medium-density residential development and the role it can play in instigating a sense of community and sustaining this over time through adopting co-housing and contemporary Māori design principles. In demonstrating a more discerning consideration the towards the impact our housing has on one’s wellbeing, the role of the design proposal seeks to test the social, cultural, environmental and economical limitations of housing and investigates how we can move from a Eurocentric to a Whaunaucentric design model. To implement a strong approach towards the site, commonalities between both Māori and Pākehā have been drawn in order to holistic view towards living within a community, their cultural requirements and reception to higher density living. This is an effort which seeks to unite the two cultures, where both have the ability to identify, take ownership and exercise pride across the site. The design project reimagines the Papakāinga model in a vertical sense, steering away from its established low density subur- 3 ban model. Its response has resulted in the culmination of a series of domestic typologies, each seeking to incite diversity, instigate connections and sustain communities. The design proposition challenges which arise seek to alleviate cross-cultural tensions and instead provides the opportunity to unite through common principles than to divide. The early investigation into European theorists and writers acted as catalysts, with later research into Māori cultural practices and rational forming a solid framework for this proposed project to thrive in its local context. Through applying a series of principles to the design process of the development, the desire is to ultimately provide an answer to the research question: How can reimagining our housing typology propel the relationship between our sense of place and community, through aligning both Māori and Pākehā design principles within the post-earthquake context of Christchurch?