Half a Good House: Flexible Housing For Wellington Home Buyers

10.26686/wgtn.17019830.v1 ◽

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

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.

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

10.26686/wgtn.17019590.v1 ◽

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

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.

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Get Wavy: Introducing irregularity into modular timber housing

10.26686/wgtn.17139602.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Brittany Irvine

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Design Research ◽

Urban Housing ◽

City Council ◽

Modular System ◽

Medium Density ◽

Specific Test ◽

Design Language ◽

Construction Methods ◽

Housing Complex

The construction industry accounts for 23% of global CO₂ emissions each year¹. Coupled with contemporary pressures of urbanisation, there is demand for increased density construction². To improve the relationship the industry has with the environment it must reconsider its construction methods and material choices. Engineered timber is a sustainable and structural solution for these issues. Commonly when building with engineered timber, traditional construction methodologies are applied. The material is simply used as a replacement for steel and concrete and does not explore the tectonic opportunities available. This results in the same monolithic multi-story buildings. This research portfolio offers a new approach to flexible modular housing using cross-laminated timber (CLT). It is researched through an adaptable urban housing complex. It explores the tectonics of CLT and develops a diverse design language that offsets how the material has been traditionally used. The design research was conducted through a series of design-led experiments comprised of four key phases; the problem, the exploration, the parts and the test. The problem researched key issues around CLT. This highlighted current deficiencies in the design of timber medium-density housing in New Zealand. The research explores the specific tectonics of CLT as an engineered timber product. Developing a series of components that can be assembled on various urban sites. This process translated into a singular site-specific test in Te Aro, Wellington. The implications of this research are to provide an alternative approach to urban medium-density housing using engineered timber technology. The result of this process is the design of a modular system of interlocking dwellings that can be optimized to site and that optimise the visual and spatial opportunities of engineered timber. Offsetting the current design language of medium-density timber buildings and proposing visual and spatial improvements to inner-city living in New Zealand. ¹ (Huang, Krigsvoll, Johansen, Liu, & Zhang, 2018) ² (Wellington City Council, 2015.)

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Medium Density - Adaptable Amenity: A flexible housing system to facilitate change and maximise production efficiencies

10.26686/wgtn.17067677 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Tom Robertson

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Urban Housing ◽

Housing System ◽

Medium Density ◽

Positive Health ◽

Current Crisis ◽

Private And Public ◽

Housing Typology ◽

Production Efficiencies

Medium-density Group Housing (“MDH”) has been defined as “a number of horizontally attached (or directly related) dwellings which are normally of one or two stories and rarely exceed three stories above the ground” (Judd 8). In the context of the New Zealand built environment, this housing typology is widely perceived as being a ‘cheaper’ form of construction, providing a lower standard housing environment. This perception has arisen for a number of reasons. Specifically, MDH is often regarded as lacking appropriate ‘fit’ with the existing urban character and is seen as giving rise to a number of problems associated with close visual and acoustic living proximities, inadequate privacy and daylight, insufficient outdoor private and public spaces and lack of design flexibility. These issues have resulted in MDH being viewed as an urban housing typology that, while accepted as being necessary to meet space and budget constraints, is very much ‘second best’, problematic and not as being particularly desirable. With shortages of suitable land and existing housing, intensification is a growing issue for policy planners and developers, and a growing focus of residential development. This research investigation looks at how design and construction of MDH could be enhanced through use of prefabrication in order to provide an inspirational and affordable housing alternative that promotes efficient land use, positive health outcomes and social wellbeing and which can generally enhance the lifestyles of occupants. In this context MDH may offer a possible part solution to what is viewed by many as a current crisis in New Zealand housing. Modular and panelised technologies offer possible solutions to the challenge of providing housing that is efficiently produced, provides flexibility and adaptability in terms of spatial configurations and functionality, offering high levels of customisation and personalisation. These solutions are explored in this thesis through research of theory, literature and precedent studies which inform a design framework. This framework is developed under the following subject areas, namely; • density and amenity; • environmental fit; • flexibility and adaptability and • production efficiencies and are used as a basis for design and project evaluation.

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Get Wavy: Introducing irregularity into modular timber housing

10.26686/wgtn.17139602 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Brittany Irvine

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Design Research ◽

Urban Housing ◽

City Council ◽

Modular System ◽

Medium Density ◽

Specific Test ◽

Design Language ◽

Construction Methods ◽

Housing Complex

The construction industry accounts for 23% of global CO₂ emissions each year¹. Coupled with contemporary pressures of urbanisation, there is demand for increased density construction². To improve the relationship the industry has with the environment it must reconsider its construction methods and material choices. Engineered timber is a sustainable and structural solution for these issues. Commonly when building with engineered timber, traditional construction methodologies are applied. The material is simply used as a replacement for steel and concrete and does not explore the tectonic opportunities available. This results in the same monolithic multi-story buildings. This research portfolio offers a new approach to flexible modular housing using cross-laminated timber (CLT). It is researched through an adaptable urban housing complex. It explores the tectonics of CLT and develops a diverse design language that offsets how the material has been traditionally used. The design research was conducted through a series of design-led experiments comprised of four key phases; the problem, the exploration, the parts and the test. The problem researched key issues around CLT. This highlighted current deficiencies in the design of timber medium-density housing in New Zealand. The research explores the specific tectonics of CLT as an engineered timber product. Developing a series of components that can be assembled on various urban sites. This process translated into a singular site-specific test in Te Aro, Wellington. The implications of this research are to provide an alternative approach to urban medium-density housing using engineered timber technology. The result of this process is the design of a modular system of interlocking dwellings that can be optimized to site and that optimise the visual and spatial opportunities of engineered timber. Offsetting the current design language of medium-density timber buildings and proposing visual and spatial improvements to inner-city living in New Zealand. ¹ (Huang, Krigsvoll, Johansen, Liu, & Zhang, 2018) ² (Wellington City Council, 2015.)

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Re-socialising Aotearoa New Zealand Housing

Counterfutures ◽

10.26686/cf.v9.6774 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 47-75

Author(s):

Mark Southcombe

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Production Systems ◽

Home Ownership ◽

Urban Housing ◽

Social Contexts ◽

Sustainable Housing ◽

Common Space ◽

Cooperative Housing ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand

Urban housing in Aotearoa New Zealand is predominantly unit-titled, individualised dwellings whether the housing is owner-occupied or a rental investment. As housing increases in density, the provision and management of common space becomes necessary. In Aotearoa New Zealand, when this occurs, the extent of privately owned housing space is typically privileged, and shared common space minimised. In contrast, cooperative housing integrates housing, economic factors, and social contexts to create long-term socially and economically sustainable housing. Since the 19th century, cooperative housing has provided evidence of internationally awarded and recognised, self-help, community-generated housing that includes shared components. Cooperative housing offers a third way of achieving affordable housing security, one that lies between home ownership and renting. Legislatively mandated and protected cooperative housing is needed in Aotearoa New Zealand to augment our existing housing production systems and types, and to help address the need for enduring, affordable, and socially sustainable housing.

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Medium Density - Adaptable Amenity: A flexible housing system to facilitate change and maximise production efficiencies

10.26686/wgtn.17067677.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Tom Robertson

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Urban Housing ◽

Housing System ◽

Medium Density ◽

Positive Health ◽

Current Crisis ◽

Private And Public ◽

Housing Typology ◽

Production Efficiencies

Medium-density Group Housing (“MDH”) has been defined as “a number of horizontally attached (or directly related) dwellings which are normally of one or two stories and rarely exceed three stories above the ground” (Judd 8). In the context of the New Zealand built environment, this housing typology is widely perceived as being a ‘cheaper’ form of construction, providing a lower standard housing environment. This perception has arisen for a number of reasons. Specifically, MDH is often regarded as lacking appropriate ‘fit’ with the existing urban character and is seen as giving rise to a number of problems associated with close visual and acoustic living proximities, inadequate privacy and daylight, insufficient outdoor private and public spaces and lack of design flexibility. These issues have resulted in MDH being viewed as an urban housing typology that, while accepted as being necessary to meet space and budget constraints, is very much ‘second best’, problematic and not as being particularly desirable. With shortages of suitable land and existing housing, intensification is a growing issue for policy planners and developers, and a growing focus of residential development. This research investigation looks at how design and construction of MDH could be enhanced through use of prefabrication in order to provide an inspirational and affordable housing alternative that promotes efficient land use, positive health outcomes and social wellbeing and which can generally enhance the lifestyles of occupants. In this context MDH may offer a possible part solution to what is viewed by many as a current crisis in New Zealand housing. Modular and panelised technologies offer possible solutions to the challenge of providing housing that is efficiently produced, provides flexibility and adaptability in terms of spatial configurations and functionality, offering high levels of customisation and personalisation. These solutions are explored in this thesis through research of theory, literature and precedent studies which inform a design framework. This framework is developed under the following subject areas, namely; • density and amenity; • environmental fit; • flexibility and adaptability and • production efficiencies and are used as a basis for design and project evaluation.

Download Full-text

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

10.26686/wgtn.17019590 ◽

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

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.

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A new approach to accounting examinations: The Final Qualifying Examination in New Zealand

Journal of Accounting Education ◽

10.1016/s0748-5751(97)00003-1 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 169-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

David Hay ◽

Harry Maltby

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

New Approach

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A Quarter Acre Pavlova Paradise Lost? The Role of Preferences and Planning in Achieving Urban Sustainability in Wellington, New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.17059838 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Nadine Dodge

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Carbon Emissions ◽

Urban Form ◽

Path Dependency ◽

Regulatory Regime ◽

Medium Density ◽

Stated Choice ◽

Travel Mode ◽

Unmet Demand ◽

Compact Development

This thesis investigates the scope for compact development to accommodate population growth in Wellington, New Zealand. The topic is particularly significant for New Zealand as the great majority of the population lives in urban areas, historical development has been dominated by low density urban form, and transport and urban form are two of the main domains in which the country can reduce its carbon emissions. The influence of urban planning and residents’ preferences on achieving sustainable outcomes is investigated. Historical and current planning rules and transport policies in the City are analysed to determine their influence on the provision of compact development. Wellington’s transport policy shows a pattern of path dependency: historical decisions to favour car oriented investment have driven subsequent transport investments and influenced the ease of using different transport modes. Planning policies show a similar pattern of path dependency: planning rules enacted in the 1960s endure in present planning despite being packaged with different justifications and regulatory regime. Current planning rules severely restrict infill development in most existing neighbourhoods, which reduces the availability of housing in accessible medium density neighbourhoods and likely increases the cost of this type of housing. A stated choice survey was conducted of 454 residents of Wellington City to investigate the extent to which there is an unmet demand for compact development and alternatives to car travel. The survey held presentation mode constant across two completion modes (internet and door to door with tablet completion), allowing the impacts of recruitment and completion mode to be examined. Survey recruitment mode appeared to influence both response rates and the representativeness of the survey, while completion mode appeared to have little or no impact on survey responses. Using the stated choice survey results, a latent class model was developed to examine the preferences of residents and the trade-offs they are willing to make when choosing where to live. This type of model allows for the identification of preference groups as a means of understanding the diversity of preferences across the population. The study found that there is an unmet demand for medium density, accessible housing, but that affordability is a barrier for households to choose this type of housing. There was also an unmet demand for walking and cycling, with more residents currently driving than would prefer to use this mode, and more residents preferring to walk and cycle to work than currently use these modes. The ability to use a desired travel mode appears to be related to the neighbourhood in which a person lives, with residents of medium and high density neighbourhoods being more likely to use their preferred travel mode. This study also modelled future development trajectories for Wellington based on demand for housing, neighbourhood and transport attributes. This preference based growth model was contrasted with the City’s plan for development over the next 30 years. Comparing the two scenarios, the planning based trajectory performed better than the demand based scenario in terms of both carbon emissions and achieving compact development.

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