scholarly journals Revisiting the Hillside: Organic, Aggregative Medium Density Housing in a Wellington Hillside Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Matthew Wenden
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Early Experiment ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
External Input ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Land Use Pattern ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Development Approach

<p>The ‘Conzen School’ of Urban Morphology identified by Kostof in his book The City Shaped, is a western way of looking at parcels of land, lots, and the street grid from above in a geometric manner imposed on the land, then analysing this in terms of land use pattern, town plan, and building form. This model of analysis and development lends itself to flat sites, and separated, isolated developments, and forms the basis for the existing model of development in western colonial nations. This thesis investigates whether an alternate development approach based on aggregative design can provide a viable alternative to the standard model of Medium Density Housing found in New Zealand. Investigation in the frame of Christopher Alexander’s New Theory of Urban Design, Lucien Kroll, and The New Urbanists addresses a new way of approaching these sites through the use of organic geometries and accumulative principals. Accompanying and informing this approach is a case study of vernacular Cycladic Architecture.  In balance with the Cycladic case study the thesis addresses the acceptance of this model of development in a New Zealand context. In particular, with reference to the physical aspects of privacy, view, shared space as well as perceptions of ownership, individuality and identity in a higher density environment. The aggregative approach is similar to that explored through Ian Athfield’s Home in Khandallah; Athfield House. This housing and office complex is an early experiment into the same principles that this thesis addresses. The thesis develops a methodological approach to testing the aggregative nature of development and simulates this through the use of in studio design exercises. These exercises will be a combination of external input from other designers and internal; single author input. The final design outcome will be addressing the results of this simulation, the design principals, guidelines and rules, rather than producing a stand-alone design artifact.</p>

scholarly journals Revisiting the Hillside: Organic, Aggregative Medium Density Housing in a Wellington Hillside Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Matthew Wenden
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Early Experiment ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
External Input ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Land Use Pattern ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Development Approach

<p>The ‘Conzen School’ of Urban Morphology identified by Kostof in his book The City Shaped, is a western way of looking at parcels of land, lots, and the street grid from above in a geometric manner imposed on the land, then analysing this in terms of land use pattern, town plan, and building form. This model of analysis and development lends itself to flat sites, and separated, isolated developments, and forms the basis for the existing model of development in western colonial nations. This thesis investigates whether an alternate development approach based on aggregative design can provide a viable alternative to the standard model of Medium Density Housing found in New Zealand. Investigation in the frame of Christopher Alexander’s New Theory of Urban Design, Lucien Kroll, and The New Urbanists addresses a new way of approaching these sites through the use of organic geometries and accumulative principals. Accompanying and informing this approach is a case study of vernacular Cycladic Architecture.  In balance with the Cycladic case study the thesis addresses the acceptance of this model of development in a New Zealand context. In particular, with reference to the physical aspects of privacy, view, shared space as well as perceptions of ownership, individuality and identity in a higher density environment. The aggregative approach is similar to that explored through Ian Athfield’s Home in Khandallah; Athfield House. This housing and office complex is an early experiment into the same principles that this thesis addresses. The thesis develops a methodological approach to testing the aggregative nature of development and simulates this through the use of in studio design exercises. These exercises will be a combination of external input from other designers and internal; single author input. The final design outcome will be addressing the results of this simulation, the design principals, guidelines and rules, rather than producing a stand-alone design artifact.</p>

Localising Global Norms: The Case of Family-Friendly Parliaments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Palmieri ◽  
Kerryn Baker
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Institutional Context ◽  
Norm Diffusion ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Family Friendly ◽  
Global Norms

Abstract In this article, we extend empirical understandings of feminist institutionalism by outlining a new methodological approach to the study of parliament as a gendered workplace. We argue that while a localised approach to studying institutional change allows a more nuanced appreciation of the role of local cultural context, internationalised norms can be an interesting starting point to work back from. A case study of the New Zealand parliament’s ‘family-friendly’ workplace practices illustrates this methodological approach. By tracing the establishment of family-friendly practices in this parliament, our study shines a light on the intractable nature of local institutional context in global norm diffusion and hints at the next phase of work required to further the agenda of transformational gender-sensitive parliaments.

scholarly journals The Ecological Touchstones of Our Identity : Confronting Native Landscapes with the Cultural and Ecological Identity of New Zealand's Society

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jaime Macfarlane
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Educational Opportunity ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Colonial Era ◽  
True Nature ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Final Design

<p>‘Ecological Touchstones of Our Identity’ explores the ways in which the language of New Zealand’s landscapes have been transformed by colonisation as New Zealand undergoes transition into a post-colonial era. This thesis identifies how three uniquely native New Zealand landscapes, the Beach, the Swamp and the Bush, have become lost to New Zealanders, both physically and conceptually, through the gradual transitions of time and contested histories. Although these landscapes are perceived within New Zealand’s culture as uniquely native to New Zealand, their true nature is somehow lost on many. Such unique landscapes coalesce into one very important landscape - the transect of the lowland forest - which has been all but lost from the fabric of our landscapes. This thesis uses a methodological approach wherein a range of dualities are explored in opposition to each other. The concept of biculturalism between Māori and Pākehā; the orientation between the vertical and horizontal, the gaze versus the object; wetland and bushland versus pastureland; and, most importantly, the perceived duality of nature versus culture. This latter point will be challenged through the theory and design concepts presented in this thesis. The final design outcome deals with the practicalities of generating a strong knowledge base of eco-sourcing and regeneration of national importance by creating a functioning seedbank between the two sites selected: the Museum of New Zealand -Te Papa Tongarewa and Lake Waiwiri (Lake Papaitonga). The vision is to regenerate the lowland forest transect between Lake Waiwiri and the coastal edge back into the functioning ecosystem once present, while structuring this regeneration to act as a cultural tool for strengthening New Zealand's sense of ecological cultural awareness, and thereby, identity. The role that landscape architecture and architecture play within this system of regeneration is critically explored through form and conceptual process, cumulating to a scheme which presents the educational opportunity of integrating these two different sites into one functioning ecosystem of regeneration.</p>

scholarly journals The humane co house

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Chloé Coles
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Private Space ◽  
Common Space ◽  
Design Case ◽  
Communal Living ◽  
Design Case Study

<p>The Humane Co-house design-led research project presents a new typology for shared medium-density housing sited in a city-fringe Wellington suburb. The research argues communal living can be utilised to achieve smaller dwellings, a high medium-density grain, a humane living environment and a new form of social interaction that home buyers will find desirable. Buying a home is difficult throughout New Zealand and Wellington is no exception. Inner-city apartment blocks lack individuality, space for growing families and a sense of community and autonomy. While research shows houses in outer suburbs are perceived to provide these, they come at a high price and there are low amounts of available stock. There is potential for city-fringe suburbs adjacent to the inner city to accommodate more dwellings, creating available housing stock that is appealing to buyers who would otherwise be looking at expensive suburban houses. The research begins with the current attitudes and preferences within the New Zealand housing context, and suggests that the appeal of the traditional detached suburban house is intertwined with a desired balance of private space to common space. The research designs and develops a new typology that attempts to achieve this balance, but with smaller dwellings at a high medium-density. Through design-led research an architectural definition and manifestation of a humane dwelling is formed. This focuses on a balance of private space and common space. Qualities of common and private spaces within a dwelling are explored through literature and design tests. Evaluation of design case studies produced from research, tests and iterations draws conclusions about how communal living can be utilised by different demographics to achieve a new type of social interaction, and a basic level of affordability that will resonate in the current context. The final design case study was critically reflected upon in terms of a theoretical client that over time might transition through three demographic groups – a working young person or couple, a family and a retired person or couple. In this way the design case study produced was considered as a flexible and long-term dwelling, resulting in a humane and appealing home for occupants at different stages of life.</p>

scholarly journals The humane co house

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Chloé Coles
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Private Space ◽  
Common Space ◽  
Design Case ◽  
Communal Living ◽  
Design Case Study

<p>The Humane Co-house design-led research project presents a new typology for shared medium-density housing sited in a city-fringe Wellington suburb. The research argues communal living can be utilised to achieve smaller dwellings, a high medium-density grain, a humane living environment and a new form of social interaction that home buyers will find desirable. Buying a home is difficult throughout New Zealand and Wellington is no exception. Inner-city apartment blocks lack individuality, space for growing families and a sense of community and autonomy. While research shows houses in outer suburbs are perceived to provide these, they come at a high price and there are low amounts of available stock. There is potential for city-fringe suburbs adjacent to the inner city to accommodate more dwellings, creating available housing stock that is appealing to buyers who would otherwise be looking at expensive suburban houses. The research begins with the current attitudes and preferences within the New Zealand housing context, and suggests that the appeal of the traditional detached suburban house is intertwined with a desired balance of private space to common space. The research designs and develops a new typology that attempts to achieve this balance, but with smaller dwellings at a high medium-density. Through design-led research an architectural definition and manifestation of a humane dwelling is formed. This focuses on a balance of private space and common space. Qualities of common and private spaces within a dwelling are explored through literature and design tests. Evaluation of design case studies produced from research, tests and iterations draws conclusions about how communal living can be utilised by different demographics to achieve a new type of social interaction, and a basic level of affordability that will resonate in the current context. The final design case study was critically reflected upon in terms of a theoretical client that over time might transition through three demographic groups – a working young person or couple, a family and a retired person or couple. In this way the design case study produced was considered as a flexible and long-term dwelling, resulting in a humane and appealing home for occupants at different stages of life.</p>

scholarly journals In Search of a New Zealand Populism: Heresthetics, Character and Populist Political Leadership

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ben Thomas McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Choice ◽  
Political Theory ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
Political Context ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of

<p>Populism, an academically contested political theory, has been subject to few thorough studies in the New Zealand context. With a history of strong, successful leaders, and fervent political rebels, New Zealand provides a useful political context in which the theoretical platform for what constitutes populism can be explored. While the current pre-eminent model of New Zealand-centric populist leadership is Barry Gustafson’s six point framework, this thesis will posit that adopting a multi-methodological approach is able to explain the nuances of New Zealand populism more effectively. Traditional international approaches to populist theory, such as those of Panizza and Laclau, are introduced to provide context on the wider literature on populism. In a challenge to Gustafson’s model, which closely matches the definitions of Panizza and Laclau, the social choice theorems of Riker’s heresthetics are introduced to provide a counter-explanation for populist leadership. The study applies the theories of traditional populism and heresthetics to three case studies of New Zealand leaders; John A. Lee, Winston Peters, and Richard Seddon. Through application of Gustafson’s model to these leaders, we see that his criteria are only significantly met in the cases of Lee and Peters, while the criteria are only partially met in the case of Seddon. In regards to Seddon, Riker’s heresthetics and the theorems of Panizza and Laclau equally explain his populism. After classifying the populism of each case study, an attempt is made to explain why each selected leader was drawn to a particular style of populism, and it is posited that Renshon’s construct of relatedness, a dimension of his over-arching theory of character, can provide a qualitative answer to this question. These case studies demonstrate that populist leadership in New Zealand needs to be seen as a continuum, in which populist leaders vary in the degree to which they fit within particular theoretical classifications, and that a multi-methodological approach is necessary to explain the nuances of each case. The study posits that this approach will aid further study, particularly when analysing modern leaders that employ a milder variant of populism.</p>

scholarly journals A Life Cycle Assessment of Medium Density Houses in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sanjeev Ganda
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Design Decisions

<p>This study develops an analysis method that designers can use to undertake a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on multiple building designs to inform design decisions and trials this on Medium Density Housing (MDH).  Measuring the environmental impact of a building is a time and resource-intensive process requiring multiple analysis tools, numerous inputs and quality assurance steps. Together with a lack of knowledge from designers, this makes it an unattractive task. Therefore, a method was needed to remove these barriers so that an LCA could be integrated into a designer’s workflow to inform design decisions. To simulate issues designers would face in the early design stages when undertaking an LCA, an LCA was performed on three MDH houses using selected designers’ Building Information Modelling (BIM) models in a warm and cool climate (Auckland and Christchurch). The LCA impact of changes to the insulation levels above the New Zealand Building Code minimum was examined to test the utility of the process.  Unique in the literature, this study includes multiple LCA indices: material impacts, resultant operational energy use, change in materials, multiple environmental indicators, the rationale behind the selected buildings, quality assurance of the results, presentation of model inputs and all results in sufficient detail for the methodology to be tested and replicated.  The case study research methodology developed three MDH houses that were representative of a broad range of MDH houses currently for sale in New Zealand. The goal was to evaluate whether the research method can identify differences between buildings that might inform design choices.  In theory, a single BIM model eliminates the need to have three building models: the designer’s construction model; the LCA analysis model; and the energy performance model saving time and complexity for the designer. This methodology identified that it was not possible to have a single BIM model in Revit and use this for both an energy simulation and LCA using LCAQuick. Each house was recreated in OpenStudio for simulation in EnergyPlus to generate the energy performance of each house.  A database of inputs for the energy models was created, which was quality assured for use by designers. A visual assessment diagram was created to allow designers to interpret the output to help inform design decisions.  The case study analysis determined that the design of the houses had a more significant effect on reducing environmental impact compared to increasing insulation levels above the minimum required by the building code. Changes to the buildings’ insulation levels resulted in an average change in environmental impact across the seven environmental indicators ranging from -1 to 7% in Auckland and -2 to 2% in Christchurch, whereas differences in the design resulted in a change in environmental impact of 21 to 22% in Auckland and 22 to 23% in Christchurch.   The research has demonstrated that LCA can be integrated into a designer’s workflow. Designers can assess the environmental impact of multiple houses and construction changes in different climates and with multiple construction changes to each. However, the process requires further refinement. There is still a need to develop the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modelling methods and their integration with the analytical tools.</p>

scholarly journals A Life Cycle Assessment of Medium Density Houses in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sanjeev Ganda
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Design Decisions

<p>This study develops an analysis method that designers can use to undertake a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on multiple building designs to inform design decisions and trials this on Medium Density Housing (MDH).  Measuring the environmental impact of a building is a time and resource-intensive process requiring multiple analysis tools, numerous inputs and quality assurance steps. Together with a lack of knowledge from designers, this makes it an unattractive task. Therefore, a method was needed to remove these barriers so that an LCA could be integrated into a designer’s workflow to inform design decisions. To simulate issues designers would face in the early design stages when undertaking an LCA, an LCA was performed on three MDH houses using selected designers’ Building Information Modelling (BIM) models in a warm and cool climate (Auckland and Christchurch). The LCA impact of changes to the insulation levels above the New Zealand Building Code minimum was examined to test the utility of the process.  Unique in the literature, this study includes multiple LCA indices: material impacts, resultant operational energy use, change in materials, multiple environmental indicators, the rationale behind the selected buildings, quality assurance of the results, presentation of model inputs and all results in sufficient detail for the methodology to be tested and replicated.  The case study research methodology developed three MDH houses that were representative of a broad range of MDH houses currently for sale in New Zealand. The goal was to evaluate whether the research method can identify differences between buildings that might inform design choices.  In theory, a single BIM model eliminates the need to have three building models: the designer’s construction model; the LCA analysis model; and the energy performance model saving time and complexity for the designer. This methodology identified that it was not possible to have a single BIM model in Revit and use this for both an energy simulation and LCA using LCAQuick. Each house was recreated in OpenStudio for simulation in EnergyPlus to generate the energy performance of each house.  A database of inputs for the energy models was created, which was quality assured for use by designers. A visual assessment diagram was created to allow designers to interpret the output to help inform design decisions.  The case study analysis determined that the design of the houses had a more significant effect on reducing environmental impact compared to increasing insulation levels above the minimum required by the building code. Changes to the buildings’ insulation levels resulted in an average change in environmental impact across the seven environmental indicators ranging from -1 to 7% in Auckland and -2 to 2% in Christchurch, whereas differences in the design resulted in a change in environmental impact of 21 to 22% in Auckland and 22 to 23% in Christchurch.   The research has demonstrated that LCA can be integrated into a designer’s workflow. Designers can assess the environmental impact of multiple houses and construction changes in different climates and with multiple construction changes to each. However, the process requires further refinement. There is still a need to develop the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modelling methods and their integration with the analytical tools.</p>

scholarly journals Half a Good House: Flexible Housing For Wellington Home Buyers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Joshua Dubbeld
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Housing ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Design Studies ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Sustainable Housing ◽  
Suburban Sprawl ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Future Growth

<p>Increasing population and changing family demographics are driving the need for new and more sustainable housing solutions. Medium-density housing is recognised as a sustainable approach to accommodate future growth within urban centres, challenging suburban sprawl and creating efficient, affordable dwelling. This thesis explores a process to generate a more progressive approach to medium density housing, favouring individual personalisation over inflexible environments that package the occupier.  Through the review of precedents, successful principles were used in a series of design studies that examined the potential for gridded spaces to satisfy flexibility and variation, opportunities for community interaction and integration beyond the site. The design resolution was reached through applying those principles on a residential site in Wellington New Zealand. The final design proposes a new approach to housing through the ‘half a good house’ mantra where the bounds of the home are defined volumetrically (the first half), but the internal spaces and walls are free for the occupier to continually adapt depending on their unique and changing needs.  The general principles of the design can be applied to other Wellington sites and contexts. They can also be applied in other cities with similar urban housing problems in New Zealand and Australia. If successful, the principles could be developed into a viable solution to the varying and changing needs in future housing.</p>

scholarly journals In Search of a New Zealand Populism: Heresthetics, Character and Populist Political Leadership

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ben Thomas McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Choice ◽  
Political Theory ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
Political Context ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of

<p>Populism, an academically contested political theory, has been subject to few thorough studies in the New Zealand context. With a history of strong, successful leaders, and fervent political rebels, New Zealand provides a useful political context in which the theoretical platform for what constitutes populism can be explored. While the current pre-eminent model of New Zealand-centric populist leadership is Barry Gustafson’s six point framework, this thesis will posit that adopting a multi-methodological approach is able to explain the nuances of New Zealand populism more effectively. Traditional international approaches to populist theory, such as those of Panizza and Laclau, are introduced to provide context on the wider literature on populism. In a challenge to Gustafson’s model, which closely matches the definitions of Panizza and Laclau, the social choice theorems of Riker’s heresthetics are introduced to provide a counter-explanation for populist leadership. The study applies the theories of traditional populism and heresthetics to three case studies of New Zealand leaders; John A. Lee, Winston Peters, and Richard Seddon. Through application of Gustafson’s model to these leaders, we see that his criteria are only significantly met in the cases of Lee and Peters, while the criteria are only partially met in the case of Seddon. In regards to Seddon, Riker’s heresthetics and the theorems of Panizza and Laclau equally explain his populism. After classifying the populism of each case study, an attempt is made to explain why each selected leader was drawn to a particular style of populism, and it is posited that Renshon’s construct of relatedness, a dimension of his over-arching theory of character, can provide a qualitative answer to this question. These case studies demonstrate that populist leadership in New Zealand needs to be seen as a continuum, in which populist leaders vary in the degree to which they fit within particular theoretical classifications, and that a multi-methodological approach is necessary to explain the nuances of each case. The study posits that this approach will aid further study, particularly when analysing modern leaders that employ a milder variant of populism.</p>

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