The Master by Project 2014 / Matthew Bradbury and Mike Austin.

The Master by Project programme had a successful year in 2014. Six new students enrolled in the MLA; Rithy Heng, Raewyn Davie-Martin, Xu (Alex)Gao, Yan (Gemma)Gao, Xinxin Wang, Junjie (Terry)Xu, joining Betsy Kettle,  Jack Haldane-Willis, James Walker, Zoe Cooper, Grace Warne, Helen Frances, Henry Crothers, Jillian Rice, Kieran Dove, and Grace He. And five in the MARCH; Mat Brown, Peter McPherson, Kelly Henderson, Eloise Veber, and Maurits Kelderman. The students were joined by an outstanding group of supervisors; Penny Cliffen, Nikolay Popov, Hamish Foote, Renee Davis, Sue Wake, Daniel Irving, Peter Griffiths, from the DLA and Prof. Branko Mitrovic, Prof. Mike Austin, and Kerry Francis from the DA.

The year saw six successful examinations, all with high grades and two distinction.  Congratulations to, Betsy Kettle, Grace Warne, Helen Frances, Mat Brown, Peter McPherson, and Maurits Kelderman.

Workshops

The first workshop kicked off with Master of Landscape Architecture candidate Betsy Kettle successful exam. Betsy’s research work explored the ways in which waste recycling could become part of our everyday lives. These tools are about to be tested by Betsy with the initiation of a joint Unitec /Auckland Council research project in to innovative waste recycling techniques. Special thanks to our distinguished examiners; Dennis Scott, past president of the NZILA and Will Thresher, fellow of the NZILA, and convenor, architectural historian Kerry Francis. Thanks also to Betsy’s supervisory team, Daniel Irving and Renee Davies for their fanatic work in helping Betsy shape and focus the work. Three Master of Architecture presentations followed. Maurits Kelderman, Eloise Veber, and Matt Brown presented their research work to a panel of critics drawn from practice and academia. Albert Refiti, a senior lecturer in spatial design at AUT University, Juan Molina, a senior architect and urban designer at CPRW Fisher, John Coop, regional director of Warren and Mahoney’s Auckland studio, and John Walsh, communications manager of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Maurits presented his design project; Te Whare Wananga o Haoni Waititi. Eloise presented her project; Meeting at the edge, how would we design Te Papa today? Followed by Mathew Brown project, a way of looking: The architecture of Rudolph Schindler, through an alternate lens. We launched into the afternoon session with two new candidate presentations from Raewyn Davie Martin and Rithy Heng, followed by presentations by Master of Landscape Architecture students; Grace He, Grace Warne, and Helen Frances. They were quizzed by Russell Baikie, senior principal, Harrison Grierson, Stuart Houghton, urban designer, associate principal, Boffa Miskell, Steve Mason, marketing specialist, and Juan Molina a senior architect and urban designer at CPRW Fisher.

Grace Warne started the second workshop day’s events with the presentation of her research project, ‘The Sustainable Industrial Landscape’. The morning critics included; Neil Donnelly, Manager of Strategic Planning, Todd Property Group Limited, Richard Harris, Chairman, Jasmax Limited, and Richard Mann, principal policy analyst for open space with Auckland Council, lecturer in the BLA programme at Unitec, and principal of Mann Landscape Architecture Ltd. Raewyn Davie-Martin presented her project asking the question, ‘How can potable and non-potable decentralized water networks re-image cities? Helen Frances followed with her research project, “At the confluence: heritage, rivers and walking.” The last project of the morning was presented by Kieran Dove;” How could landscape architects utilize digital design in the design process?  The afternoon session started with Eloise Veber project, ‘Meeting at the edge. How would we design Te Papa today? This presentation was followed by Kelly Henderson research project, “The Body is a Temple, and The Suburb is a Crack House.” A distinguished group of critics included; Dr. Charlotte Šunde, Research Development Manager, in the Transforming Cities: Innovations for Sustainable Futures, University of Auckland. Garth Falconer, founder and director of Reset Urban Design, Bill McKay, Senior Lecturer and Associate Head (Student Relations) in the School of Architecture and Planning and Jeanette Budgett a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture, FCIB Unitec, commented on the projects.

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. The  week started with four exams 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. 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.. Gary Marshall, Senior Associate and Design Manager at Jasmax 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.

Friday was a  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? Raewyn Davie-Martin followed with a presentation of her research work; Mountain to Sea - Water for 21st Century Resilient Cities. 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? The 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? Zoe Cooper followed with her project; Living Roof Urbanism, How can living roofs be approached urbanistically? Rithy Heng finished the early afternoon presentation with his project; Urban Renewal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The last four presentations of the day were candidature proposals. Xinxin Wang started by presenting her proposal for a green network for a regional city. 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? 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.

The end of year Masters by Project programme concluded with a great workshop showcasing the new research emerging from the MLA programme. Helen Frances started the day with a final exhibition and examination. Helens research work explored how could a riverside walkway in Waipu be designed to meet the needs of multiple stakeholders in a site that is rich in heritage. Helen’s work received a searching but supportive exam from two distinguished landscape architects, Will Thresher and Claire O'Shaughnessy. Helens project was awarded an A grade ensuring that she passed with distinction. Special Thanks to Helens supervisor, Hamish Foote, who helped Helen to develop and master her research work with consummate skill.

After morning tea, Raewyn Davie-Martin presented her research project that looks at how new potable and non-potable decentralised water networks can reimagine parks and surrounding neighbourhoods. Raewyn was followed by Gemma Gao who is looking at how to make Auckland resilient from earthquake through the design of multifunctional public space. Grace He, an experienced landscape architect working with the Isthmus group, presented her research project that questions how urban designers can work with the insights of multiculturalism to create a new kind of inclusive public space . To critique these three projects we were joined by a number of distinguished critics, Kate Healy, Chief Operating Officer Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited, Juan Molina, senior architect and urban designer at CPRW Fisher. Orson Waldock, Work Group Manager for Opus International Consultants, and Yoko Tanaka Landscape Architect, Associate Principal, Boffa Miskell, Auckland.

We resumed the afternoon session with Rithy Heng presenting his research work that looks at ways sustainable urban renewal can be generated in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Xu Gao followed with his project looking as Auckland re framed as a coastal city between Whangarei and Tauranga. Junjie Xu presented his research project which explored how a study of landscape ecology can assist in achieving a sustainable outcomes for a brownfield development. The last three projects of the day were presented by Xinxin Wang and two Master of Architecture by Project students; Kelly Henderson and Eloise Veber. Xinxin Wang presenting her research into developing a green network for Auckland as a regional city. Kelly followed by presenting her project; the body is a temple; the suburb is a crack house. Eloise finished a long but very stimulating day with the presentation of her research project; Meeting at the edge. How would we design Te Papa today? The afternoon critics; Dr Johnson Witehira Matauranga Maori Advisor at Unitec Institute of Technology, Tommy Honey Dean of Collage, Whitcliffe Collage of Art, Juan Molina senior architect and urban designer at CPRW Fisher, Andrew Patterson, director of Patterson Associates and Alan Gray, Senior urban designer for Waterfront Auckland

Seminars

We also held two writing seminars in the year. Simon Nash took the Master by Projects new students through the basics of research proposal writing. Students worked with Simon to workshop their ideas, the group helping each other to sharpen up the focus of their research. Simon helped the group start to untangle the mysteries of the proposal including the difference between methodology and methods.  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.

Tikanga Maori.

Research Opportunities

The Pl visited Tainui Group Holdings in Hamilton in August 2015 and discussed collaborative research opportunities. The PL held discussion with Kate Healy, Chief Operating Officer Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited about collaborative research opportunities. Kate joined us as a critic for the November 2013 masters workshop The PL invited BLA post graduates to attend a presentation by Mele Wendt, the executive director of Fulbright at Unitec Institute of Technology at 1:00-2:00pm, Friday 23 May Ahimura, Penman House (B055), Mt Albert campus about the different awards that they offer. Phil Wihongi and two undergraduates; Nat Couch and Tosh Graham attended.  

Maori Engagement with MbP workshops

The August and November workshops have included practicing Maori landscape architects planners and artists as critics. These guests include; Dr. Diane Helen Menzies, Phil Wihongi Landscape Architect/Planner, Raukawa Charitable Trust. Richard Mann, Tongan, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāi Tūhoe descent.  Principal policy analyst for open space with Auckland Council, Lecturer, BLA programme Unitec,. Principal of Mann landscape architecture ltd, and Dr Johnson Witehira, Matauranga Maori Advisor at Unitec Institute of Technology

PL engagement with Matauranga Maori, Unitec.

The PL has meet with Dr Johnson Witehira, Matauranga Maori Advisor and Katherine Poi. Kaihautu Matauranga Maori  on several occasions to discuss how the  MbP can embodied Matauranga Maori

PL engagement with Matauranga Maori, outside Unitec.

The PL attended a workshop on Urban Mauri : Designing Tamaki Makaurau (Monday the 10th of November). The workshop was to explore ways in which to support sustainable development of Maori outcomes, leadership, community and partnership. And to acknowledge that people and nature are inseparable. The workshop-included contributions from Bill Reed, an international thought leader architect and systems specialist, Nga Aho, the Koanga institute, and Caroline Robinson. The PL attended the Kaipara Moana workshop on the 16 th of November at the Te Ao Marama Maori Cultural Centre Te Hana. This workshop was organised by the Integrated Kaipara Harbour management Group. An initiative foundered by Ngati Whatua Hapu, Te Uri O Hau and Nga Maugnga Whakahii.  The two day conference canvased a number of aspects of the Kaipara including; the existing ecosystem, the Maori view of the harbour, the relationship of farming practice to the harbour both past and present, and an extensive discussion for what the future holds for the Kaipara. This was a good opportunity for the PL to network with the many stakeholders in the future of the Kaipara and to discuss future research collaborations.

Engagement with practice

The programme has continued to engage with landscape and architectural practice and to make them aware of the opportunity of working with a senior research student at Unitec. Meeting have been held with a number of leading architectural practices.  We have also established a number of specific research projects that this group of architects would be interested in collaborating with a MARCH student. Discussion has also been had with John Walsh Communication Manager of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and Justine Harvey editor of Architecture NZ.

Meeting were also held with a number of leading landscapes architectural practices in Auckland. We established a number of specific research projects that would be of interest for a MLA student. Discussions were had with the editor of Landscape New Zealand, Clare Chapman. Meetings and discussions were also had with representatives from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, and Waterfront Auckland, exploring ways in which students from the MbP could work with these agencies on collaborative research projects.

Engagement with Industry

Grace Warne presented her latest research finding/design work to Mike Gibson, manager of the Harbourside Business Park and the Geoff Nightingale managing director of the Rosebank business association. Graces MLA project, ‘Making a Sustainable Industrial Landscape’ asks: “How can landscape architects advance sustainable industrial practice through social engagement?” Grace is using the Harbourside Business Park, part of the industrial precinct of Rosebank Peninsula, Auckland as a case study to develop a research project that aims to explore how social behavior in design can advance sustainable industrial practice for light and medium industrial sites. Graces research is leading to the development of a design methodology focused on shaping sustainable industrial practice through social interactions. Social interactions, engagement and behavior have been demonstrated to affect personal well-being, environmental awareness and care, and aesthetic perception. Mike and Geoff were impressed with Graces work, especially the research into the connections between improved social ecology and workplace happiness. They commended her ability in finding unexpected sites for greater social interaction to take place. This work in conjunction with a programme to improve the stormwater quality of the site offers larger strategies for the improvement of industrial sites along the Rosebank peninsula.

2013 Master by Project Grad Show

The 2013 MLA MARCH Grad show was a great success, curated by recent MLA graduate Helen Frances, the show assembled a comprehensive display of work ranging from initial investigations to full blown projects.

The Fred Tschopp Senior Scholarship

This year we had a record number of applicants for the Fred Tschopp Scholarship. The aims of the scholarship are;

1. Research that will contribute to new knowledge in the discipline of landscape architecture through design research

2. Research that has the potential to make a challenging, exciting and significant difference to our world, cities and landscapes

3. Research that will honor the legacy of Fred Tschopp Snr., as characterized by his creative and innovative expansion of the traditional boundaries of the Profession of Landscape Architecture as represented in his "Pioneering work in Rotorua".

After much deliberation we managed to whittle the applicants down to three; Shayne Noronha, Michael Sun and Xinxin Wang. After further painful deliberation we decided to award Xinxin Wang the scholarship for 2015. The panel and the family of Fred Tschopp jnr. felt that Xinxins research work showed the most potential to fulfil the three aims of the scholarship. As part of the award ceremony, the 2014 award recipient, Grace He, gave a heartfelt speech about how the award had helped her to develop her research work. 

Student Success

2013 MLA graduate Jennifer Parlane, is a Planner/Landscape Architect at Boffa Miskell. Boffa Miskell is a leading New Zealand environmental planning and design consultancy with offices in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Shanghai. BM works with a wide range of local and international private and public sector clients in the areas of planning, urban design, landscape architecture, landscape planning, ecology, cultural heritage, graphics and mapping. While Jennifer had a Bachelor in Planning from the University of Auckland she wanted to move into the discipline of landscape architecture to fulfil her design ambitions. Through the MLA Jennifer was able to explore contemporary issues that are of concern to the landscape architecture practice, particularly around the design of the public realm,  and doing so gained a position at Boffa Miskell.

2014 MARCH graduate Maurits Kelderman is director of Design Tribe a collaborative architectural design practice. Design Tribes intention is to provide Māori and wider community groups with access to high quality architectural services.

2014 MARCH graduate Mathew Brown is a Senior Architect at Warren and Mahoney. Warren and Mahoney is an insight led multidisciplinary architectural practice. The practice has over 200 people, comprising of specialists working across the disciplines of Architecture, Workplace, Masterplanning, Urban Design and Sustainable Design.

2014 MARCH graduate Peter MacPherson is Programme Director of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies at Unitec Institute of Technology. Peter has continued his interest in research-led design practise, in particular design theory, research into architectural geometry and its  application to architecture and urban design.