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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Expecting the unexpected: Redefining the home to adapt to the lifetime requirements of its occupants

10.26686/wgtn.17064425 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Sarah Groom

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Housing Stock ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Increase ◽

Modular System ◽

Design Solution ◽

Efficient Production ◽

Medium Density ◽

Property Market ◽

The Government

What happens when the home expects the unexpected? Since the beginning of the current housing price rise in 2012, homeownership in New Zealand has become increasingly difficult. The desire to enter the property market has been impeded by the unsuitability of current housing stock that no longer meets the needs of the modern household. While it is widely accepted by economists, yet denied by politicians, New Zealand is amid a housing crisis. The government is addressing the issue by introducing a means to allow housing to be produced more quickly. This new housing is expected to mitigate the issues surrounding a shortage of land and population increase, by developing a large proportion of new developments in the classification of medium density housing. With a shortfall of 10,000 houses per annum, the current situation presents an opportunity to reassess how medium density housing (MDH) is configured in New Zealand. To break the cycle of housing stock rendering itself unsuitable in the future, this thesis aims to investigate how housing could be designed to allow for change over time. All age groups stand to benefit from a home that is carefully planned and considers their lifetime needs. An established design framework enables the prefabricated modular system to adapt, reflecting the lifetime requirements of its occupants. The outcome is an innovative, alternate design solution that considers the wellbeing of occupants through a lifetime design approach, offering adaptability and efficient production through prefabrication. A home that expects the unexpected.

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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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Half a Good House: Flexible Housing For Wellington Home Buyers

10.26686/wgtn.17019830 ◽

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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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.

Download Full-text

Expecting the unexpected: Redefining the home to adapt to the lifetime requirements of its occupants

10.26686/wgtn.17064425.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Sarah Groom

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Housing Stock ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Increase ◽

Modular System ◽

Design Solution ◽

Efficient Production ◽

Medium Density ◽

Property Market ◽

The Government

What happens when the home expects the unexpected? Since the beginning of the current housing price rise in 2012, homeownership in New Zealand has become increasingly difficult. The desire to enter the property market has been impeded by the unsuitability of current housing stock that no longer meets the needs of the modern household. While it is widely accepted by economists, yet denied by politicians, New Zealand is amid a housing crisis. The government is addressing the issue by introducing a means to allow housing to be produced more quickly. This new housing is expected to mitigate the issues surrounding a shortage of land and population increase, by developing a large proportion of new developments in the classification of medium density housing. With a shortfall of 10,000 houses per annum, the current situation presents an opportunity to reassess how medium density housing (MDH) is configured in New Zealand. To break the cycle of housing stock rendering itself unsuitable in the future, this thesis aims to investigate how housing could be designed to allow for change over time. All age groups stand to benefit from a home that is carefully planned and considers their lifetime needs. An established design framework enables the prefabricated modular system to adapt, reflecting the lifetime requirements of its occupants. The outcome is an innovative, alternate design solution that considers the wellbeing of occupants through a lifetime design approach, offering adaptability and efficient production through prefabrication. A home that expects the unexpected.

Download Full-text

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.

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‘To unite as one’: resisting slum clearance in Freemans Bay, 1951–1968

Race & Class ◽

10.1177/0306396817702790 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 54-72

Author(s):

Cybèle Locke

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Local Government ◽

Racial Discrimination ◽

Employment Status ◽

City Council ◽

Cultural Good ◽

The Face ◽

Reclamation Area ◽

Clearance Process ◽

Community Centre

This article examines the activities of the Freemans Bay Residents Welfare Association, which formed to promote residents’ welfare and to retain the neighbourhood’s integrity in the face of slum clearance during the 1950s and 1960s in Auckland, New Zealand. The Association’s objective was: ‘To combine socially for the cultural good of all people in the area. To unite as one, regardless of race, colour or creed, for the peaceful and fruitful existence of our residents.’ John (Johnny) James Mitchell, secretary of the Association, invoked working-class solidarity – to unite as one – to bring together residents who could also be classified by race, religion, political belief, employment status, ‘respectability’ and housing occupancy. This solidarity was assisted by the Auckland City Council who zoned the Reclamation Area for clearance, affecting all residents within its bounds. However, racial discrimination practised by private landlords, local government and state departments meant that Māori were more likely to occupy condemned housing to begin with and were the last to be assisted by the state in the slum clearance process. As a result, race remained a more potent signifier for Māori residents and they organised through the Māori Women’s Welfare League and the Māori Community Centre, in alliance with the Association.

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Another elderly lady to be knocked down: Heritage discourse and the protest to save the Missions to Seamen building, 1986

10.26686/wgtn.17071973.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Alexander Gordon

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

City Council ◽

Historical Case Study ◽

Historical Case ◽

Considerable Difficulty ◽

Documentary Sources ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

History Of ◽

Heritage Discourse

Through a specific historical case study, Another Elderly Lady to be Knocked Down applies discourse theory and the Authorised Heritage Discourse (AHD) to the context of urban built heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand. Previously, only limited work had been done in this area. By examining an underexplored event this dissertation fills two gaps in present literature: the history of the event itself and identification of the heritage discourses in the country at the time. Examination of these discourses in context also allows conclusions about the use of the AHD in similar studies to be critically examined. In 1986 the Missions to Seamen building in Wellington, New Zealand, was threatened with demolition by its government owners. In a remarkable display of popular sentiment, individuals, organisations, the Wellington City Council (WCC) and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) worked together to oppose this unpopular decision. This protest was a seminal event in the history of heritage in New Zealand. This study relies upon documentary sources, especially the archival records of the Historic Places Trust and the State Services Commission, who owned the building, to provide the history of this watershed moment in New Zealand’s preservation movement. The prevalent attitudes of different groups in Wellington are examined through the letters of protest they wrote at the time. When analysed in context, these discourses reveal the ways in which heritage was articulated and constructed. The course of this dissertation has revealed the difficulty of identifying an AHD in this context. The level of collaboration between ‘official’ and ‘unofficial’ heritage perspectives, and the extent to which they shaped each other’s language, creates considerable difficulty in distinguishing between discreet discourses. To better explore the ways that heritage meaning is constructed and articulated, heritage must be recognised as a complex dynamic process.

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An Architectural Dialogue with the Eleatic Stranger

10.26686/wgtn.17000326 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Christian Jacob Squire

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Design Research ◽

Urban Life ◽

Architectural Theory ◽

Architectural Form ◽

State Of Mind ◽

Eleatic Stranger ◽

A Site ◽

The Mind ◽

Theory Of Forms

Reports throughout New Zealand have highlighted a chronic and growing problem in our urban centres – the effects of alcohol abuse and binge drinking leave our youth vulnerable and unprotected. The results can sometimes be catastrophic. Makeshift paramedic tents have recently been erected in Wellington to provide aid and retreat, but these are temporary structures and only available two nights per week. The vulnerability of New Zealand’s youth occurs not only on nights with too much alcohol, but also in response to the daily stresses brought on by contemporary urban life. New Zealand youth suicide rates are the highest out of 30 OECD nations and more than twice the OECD average (Chapman). Likewise the secularization of contemporary urban society has resulted in the loss of spiritual retreats previously found within churches and religious centres. This thesis examines the need for a permanent urban retreat for all those who are temporarily vulnerable. The thesis investigates how architectural form can provide a new approach to urban retreat by critically engaging analogous theories found in the writings of Plato and Louis Kahn. Both Plato’s theory of Forms (discussed in Plato’s “Dialogues”) and Louis Kahn’s 1961 essay “Form and Design” are centred on the idea of achieving an enlightened state of mind, freeing the mind from the physical realm. Plato’s theory of Forms posits that the universe is separated into two realms: an intelligible realm and a sensible realm. All objects that exist in the sensible realm – perceivable to us by our senses – are merely imperfect shadows of their essences or Forms. By understanding this, we can free our minds from the distractions of life which so often lead to stress and despair. Plato’s theory of Forms has many parallels with the architectural theory of Louis Kahn, as evidenced in Kahn’s “Form and Design”. Kahn describes the ‘measurable’ and ‘immeasurable’ realms, which are analogous to Plato’s sensible and intelligible realms. This thesis critically engages these analogous theories of Plato and Kahn – achieving an enlightened state of mind, freeing the mind from the physical realm – to establish how architectural form can provide urban retreat for those who are temporarily vulnerable. The site for the design research investigation is the nameless alleyway in the Courtenay Place precinct which separates Wellington’s historic St James Theatre from The Mermaid bar and brothel – a site which symbolizes the conflicting stimuli to which our urban residents are now continually exposed.

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