Abstract:
How can housing be designed to fit the specific cultural needs of an indigenous society and still comply with the Western building rules and practices?
Architecture plays an essential role in shaping the face of a city. Auckland is the largest and most populous of the New Zealand cities and as such is its financial capital. Given a large number of tourist attractions, the city and its buildings should also reflect its location: its people, culture and acknowledge the cultures of the large number of immigrants that have stayed and contributed to the economy.
This thesis explores how a space can be designed in Auckland that is much denser and is culturally sensitive to the needs of both the occupant and the designer while working within the specifications of the building design rules.
This thesis delves into the values and design principles of two cultures- Indian and Māori - to explore the common grounds on which our ancestors have developed and practised these design principles . The amalgamation of these ideas has then been studied and transformed to meet modern needs while still representing the ideologies and thought processes behind each rule.
I have tried to keep in mind the population density of Auckland City to design a space that would house about 126 homeless people and create an example for the future. This would help organisations and communities come together and grow as individuals and as a community. It will be a landmark in itself to signify and glorify the intermingling of two cultures and to show respect and appreciation for each other.