August workshop Roundup

The August workshop was probably the biggest event we have had in the Master by Project programme with four exhibitions and successful examinations, a successful writing seminar and a full day workshop with four new research proposals. Exhausting but very satisfying.

 The week kicked off with four by Maurits Kelderman, Mathew Brown, Peter McPherson, and Grace Warne.

Maurits Kelderman kicked of the first examination at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae. Maurits research project is titled, Te Whare Wananga o Haoni Waititi, Maurits asks how Whare Wananga differ from ‘mainstream’ institutions in terms of education forms, styles and delivery, and, how does the Pedagogy of Tikanga Māori influence the planning style and form of architectural design. Maurits presented a passionate defence of his proposed building for the Haoni Waititi Marae. Associate Professor Marcus William from Unitec and Associate Professor Dr Deidre Brown from Auckland University examined Maurits with the able assistance of Professor Mike Austin.

Next up was Mathew Brown, his research project was entitled, A way of looking: The architecture of Rudolph Schindler, through an alternate lens. Mathews research project explores the nature of architectural representations by carrying out an experiment using comics to represent a building that incorporates the spatial composition found in Schindler’s work. The design work proposes a way of emphasising those aspects of architecture that Schindler believed were important and therefore looks to encourage an understanding, development and perhaps a demand for his approach to building design. Mark Southcombe Programme Director, Senior Lecturer – Architecture at Victoria University and Graeme McConchie, Senior Lecturer,  Department of Architecture, Unitec examined Mat. Supervisor and distinguished heritage architect Adam Wild helped Mat to successfully pass.

Peter McPherson’s examination; The Art of Geometry: Extending Knowledge of Architectural Geometry and the Shapes We Create. Peters research project investigates how the computer and Computer Aided Design software has influenced architecture in the past twenty years; from the influence the digital has had on design thinking, to the production of buildings not before thought possible. Bojan Tepavčević, visiting Professor, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, and Elvon Young Senior Lecturer and Head of Spatial Design AUT, examined Peter. Professor Branko Mitrovic and Nikolay Popov ably supervised Peter.

Grace Warne was the sole Master of Landscape Architecture by project examination. The title of Graces  project was, The Sustainable Industrial Landscape. Grace’s research work has been concerned with how can landscape architects advance sustainability within industry through the use of social interaction and behaviour.  Grace chose a real world project, the Harbourside Business Park to test the design methodology. The proposed Harbourside Business Park design aims to generate social interaction by encouraging visual and physical connections and providing opportunities for engagement between both people and people and their environment. Grace believes that the proposed design elements aim to improve and increase the level of social interaction on the site and generate awareness of others and the environment as a means to increase the level of sustainable behaviour. Gary Marshall, Senior Associate and Design Manager and Dr. Diane Menzies, Director of Undergraduate Programmes School of Architecture Victoria University examined Grace. Special thanks Peter Griffiths for helping Grace put together a convincing and compelling exhibition and exegesis.

Disseminating research through writing and presentations through a wide variety of media is an important part of the programme. To help graduates present their work to the wide world, Catherine Mitchell, from Te Puna Ako Unitec and Justine Harvey, editor of Architecture NZ presented a writing workshop. Catherine concentrated on writing for conferences, how to write an abstract, a paper and for a refereed publication, while Justine concentrated on the elusive art of journalism.

Friday saw the workshop for both architecture and landscape architecture candidates. The day kicked off with Kieran Dove presenting his research work, How can landscape architects utilize digital design in the design process? Kieran is interested in the way parametric design has been widely used by many professions, but not landscape architecture. Raewyn Davie-Martin followed with a presentation of her research work; Mountain to Sea - Water for 21st Century Resilient Cities. Raewyn’s research investigates precedents from water infrastructure projects for potable and non-potable water network systems. The research considers the use of reclaimed water infrastructure and new technologies. This exploration will define how hybrid green and blue infrastructure can be designed for future resilient industrial and residential community needs in Auckland. Grace He followed Raewyn with her latest research work entitled, Multi Culturalism in the Urban Landscape, How can urban designers work with the insights of multiculturalism to create a new kind of inclusive public space in a city? Grace is interested in how to transfer cultural diversity into an urban design methodology The research intends to seek linkages between diverse cultural values and urban landscape and explore the opportunities to integrate and represent those values in the urban landscape though design practice. The research work was critiqued by distinguished critics; Grant Duncan, School of People, Environment and Planning Massy University, Euen MacKeller, Principal, Jasmax, and Clare Chapman editor of Landscape New Zealand,

After lunch Helen Frances presented her penultimate research work titled; At the confluence: heritage, rivers and walking, How can a river-side walkway be designed to meet the needs of multiple stakeholders, in a site that is rich in heritage? The project aims to generate a designed walkway for a particular community that responds to the ways in which people forge their sense of place and belonging. Zoe Cooper followed with her project; Living Roof Urbanism, How can living roofs be approached urbanistically? Zoë’s research is an investigation of living roof urbanism Zoe believes that living roof design and incorporation into our landscape has not successfully maximized potential benefits, nor are these collective benefits acknowledged widely.  Rithy Heng finished the early afternoon presentation with his project; Urban Renewal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Rithy is looking at a former landfill that will need to be restored to make way for development. Because of its location within the city, it has the potential of becoming a more affluent area by using green space and water as amenities. This project aims to provide alternative design approach by balancing livability, sustainability, and profitability to make it more appealing to developers and government.

The last four presentations were candidature proposals. Xinxin Wang started by presenting her proposal for a green network for a regional city. Xinxin wants to rethink the Auckland plan as a regional city to 2100. Xu Gao followed with his project on Coastal Cities, How can we develop the coastaline as an urban area for the future through increased tourism. Gemma Gao’s research question is, How to achieve multifunctional public spaces in central Auckland in order to become resilient from earthquakes? Gemma believes that the location of recovery public spaces needs to be identified before earthquakes happen. Junjie Xu finished the day with the presentation of his project, A Brownfield Park. The Sustainable Landscape - A Practice in Transformation of Brownfield Site.

The students were joined by a lively and engaged panel that included; Dr. Lee Beattie Deputy Head – Urban Planning School of Architecture and Planning University of Auckland, Phil Wihongi Landscape Architect/Planner, Raukawa Charitable Trust, David Irwin, founding director Isthmus Group, Associate Professor Sarah Treadwell, Architecture & Planning University of Auckland and Lisa Mein Principal Urban Design Boffa Miskell.