Summer Workshop

 

Abstracts

 Jon Davies

Abstract 

Currently, there is limited research to improve an estimated 830,000 homes in New Zealand that have no insulation within the external walls. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive policy, standard or best practice guideline to housing providers and homeowners for retrofitting external walls that are not insulated. Therefore, this research aims to understand how practitioners can design and implement building interventions over existing wall claddings to increase thermal performance in existing occupied as-built homes.  

While retrofitting homes have underlying barriers to implementation, the research will primarily focus on application technique and practical knowledge while considering thermal and hygrothermal performance. Aspects of construction and social costs will be acknowledged within the research but is out of scope. 

The thesis is divided into seven chapters. Chapters one and two outline the research purpose and define the research question. They are followed by review of key background literature in chapter three and case studies within the subject field in chapter 4. These lead to the evaluation of testing methodologies and the design of experiments in the fifth chapter which also describes the software simulations of proposed materials and assemblies. 

Chapter six describes actively tested iterative scaled sections of building walls within a controlled environment. The knowledge gained from scaled testing is analysed and applied to a typical New Zealand bungalow wall and tested with wind, water and seismic pressures to provide insight into the process of retrofitting homes. The final chapter will review the value of the research and conclude with next steps.  

International research and practice show an existing building’s walls can be retrofitted externally. In New Zealand, cold houses cost New Zealand $7 Billion annually in respiratory healthcare, however there are major knowledge gaps in how to retrofit to create thermally efficient homes without causing harm to the building’s durability. Case studies of attempted improvements using external insulation suggest it can easily result in a negative outcome with building damage (moisture entrapment) when available building science is ignored or misunderstood. Precedents internationally have suggested positive outcomes when the insulation has been applied as an external blanket; however, specific material combinations are critical to this success or failure. 

Modelling the implementation of the proposed Parka Wrap system to existing buildings shows a 60% reduction of energy required to maintain 20 degrees inside a typical house where insulation already exists in floor and ceiling. Physically testing existing walls pre-retrofit shows they are leaky for both air and water as water is driven through existing cladding by wind pressure. The effects of wind alone contributes to cold internal environments. The addition of water requires either drainage and/or significant drying potential to avoid damage to structural framing.  

The subsequent physical testing for water penetration in NZS4284:2008 test rig included seismic racking, and repeated water penetration testing has shown evidence of successful development of a robust weathertight assembly with predictable thermal performance. Further software based analysis of proposed design ensures avoidance of predictable moisture accumulation. 

Junxiang Liang

Buildings and roads have covered urban areas, increasing numbers of vehicles and the population there has also rapidly grown at the same time. Those changes are the leading causes of the urban heat island effect because of the lack of green space, especially in high-density cities. As a result, the small-scale park could be a strategy for the city with limited space. From previous research, a small green space could also contribute cooling effect, and the shape and vegetation should be considered the main factors for design. This study will investigate how to use small/pocket parks to deal with urban heat effects in a high-density area with limited space. It is based on Research by design methodology and concentrates on Ecological Urbanism and Urban Acupuncture as two main theories. The design part of this case is also referenced from Landscape Ecology, which is patch – corridor – matrix. In other words, thinking about how to create an ecological connection is one of the main objectives. This workshop aims to analyse the site in Lanzhou, China, and deepen the pocket park as the core of the design scheme.

Abstract----Qi Yang, MLA

Due to changes in the world's climate, residents of Napier, on the west coast of New Zealand, are facing problems with rainwater pollution. Studies have shown that some of Napier's rainwater flows through surface runoff, residential areas, industrial areas and finally into Ahuriri and the surrounding harbour. In addition to this, rainwater collected from the roads flows into the estuary along with pollutants. As a result, the Health Authority in Hawkes Bay warns people against any contact with the water in Ahuriri. In particular, untreated rainwater can pose a more severe risk to the environment and people's health.

The study aims to use green infrastructure to help improve water quality in Napier. Setting a series of objectives based on the current situation, including assessing and analysing existing problems with the Napier stormwater system and development around the Ahuriri River. Research existing theories, analyse case studies and collect data relating to land use, natural conditions and infrastructure around the city. Conduct site surveys to analyse specific sites, their conditions, problems and opportunities for future development.

Building on existing issues, the question was posed: How can we use green infrastructure to improve the stormwater quality in the suburb of Ahuriri?

Based on a literature review of Water sensitive urban design and Low Impact Urban Design and Development. The creation of rain gardens, depressions, roof gardens, permeable facilities and artificial wetlands throughout the catchment area can help to purify stormwater. A site analysis of the entire catchment area was also carried out using ArcGIS. The results show that stormwater problems will become more of a problem in the future. However, the creation of wetland parks at the perfume point, rain gardens, permeable pavements and green infrastructure throughout the catchment can effectively reduce the impact of stormwater pollution. In addition, it is also essential to provide a space for residential activities at Perfume Point.

Aachnal Aachal

THE URBAN FLOOD ADAPTION PLAN 

Abstract 

As Aotearoa moves into the era of climate change, our urban landscapes are becoming more vulnerable to flooding. Along with climate change aggravating the flooding, additionally, Aotearoa is short of housing (“45,000 dwellings” (Johnson et al., 2018)). The loss of land by flooding means the loss of potential to accommodate the housing needs of New Zealand. 

This project strives to develop a climate-adaptive design method for Maybury Street, Glen Innes. The site is at risk of pluvial flooding in the next 100 years. Therefore, the sites’ design will include two parts; firstly, to create a flood adaptation strategy for the Maybury Reserve and its surroundings, and secondly, to safely plan new housing development along Maybury Street.  

The urban flood adaptation design methods formed will be tested and applied to the site using alternative methods and methodology. For example, Rob Regma’s – Research by Design methodology will be used to execute the project, and Geodesign combined with scientific data (from NIWA, LINZ & Auckland Council). Also, community consultation with Glen Innes community professionals will be used to make decisions about the site and further, Geodesign will be used to apply them to the site as practical design solutions.  

This design method will provide a resilient water landscape site for the Glen Innes community. This method will help preserve the existing landscape’s good qualities and build a new landscape to enhance community participation and ameliorate flooding.  

Wenwan Zhang

After COVID-19, investigation into how to create a new public park design. 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it became hazardous for people to stay in poorly ventilated office and gather together in high numbers. To avoid spreading the virus, “social distance” was encouraged to stop the virus effectively.  

“Social distance” still determines how public space is used in different countries 

As an essential role in people’s daily lives, the design for public park needs to develop. Create the design of environments that positively facilitate human life, and be more resilient to epidemiological crises in the future. 

My research will choose a public park to address the problem, use the knowledge from theory studies, case studies to develop a design. The methodology is designed by research. The research outcome will be to establish a healthier public park. Suitable for public park design in the future at the same time provide the ideas for existing park development.

Piyush Verma

How living in Auckland CBD be made more affordable?

Aim: 

Design a Self-contained well-designed unit placed anywhere intending to go in a vertical direction giving a chance to expand the dwellings helping to meet the required numbers by the year 2048. Recreating the residential neighborhood by proposing improved recreational and communal spaces to make the relations between people working and living much stronger.

Objectives:

Analyzing the different housing typologies and design strategies of the megastructure affordable social housing examples and implementing them with a minimalistic approach to accommodate more than the feasible capacity specified for the area. This can happen only by promoting the redevelopments of underdeveloped and underutilized sites to enhance and form opportunities for residential developments.

1. To analyze different criteria for case studies including the number of people housed in the project; density; communal spaces; nature; climate; and topography.

2. Considering green spaces as crucial factors and ways to incorporate with the design solutions to create recreational and communal spaces.

3. To determine the location of the specific site to analyze the local plans and conditions.

4. To validate the possibility of the new housing typology designs that can help solve the crisis. 

Critics

 Claire O'Shaughnessy

Associate Principal - Senior Landscape Architect Landscape Architecture Jasmax 

BArch (Hons) - University of Auckland BAS - University of Auckland MLA - Unitec Member, New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Auckland Permaculture Certificate 

Claire’s core experience as a landscape architect centres on high profile, large scale public projects which integrate streetscapes, plazas, parks and podium decks with architectural developments. 

Claire has worked in architecture and landscape architecture in both New Zealand and the UK. Her background in architecture and current role as a landscape architect has provided a platform to contribute well-resolved detail to her projects and a practiced understanding of the role of landscape and architecture in the urban environment. Her contributions to the creative and technical design of these projects has proven invaluable to the success of many integrated Jasmax projects. Working in these multidisciplinary teams has meant she has had the rare ability as a landscape architect to see many projects at Jasmax through from inception to completion.

Claire’s approach to her work is theoretical, experimental and social at heart, giving her projects a distinctive richness. Her graphic abilities are strong, giving her the ability to communicate effectively through visual content. Key project examples include the award-winning VXV Plaza associated to Fonterra’s global headquarters in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, City Rail Link public realm reference designs for Aotea Station and Victoria St Linear Park, and the Gilbert Islands Coastwatcher’s Memorial and Plaza associated to NZ Post’s headquarters in Wellington.

Claire is extremely passionate about making places for people, and draws together specialist teams in order to deliver high quality, socially responsible urban landscapes.

Benoit COPPENS

Benoit has a  Master degree in Landscape Architecture, he has collaborated with Coloco office & Gilles Clement for 5 years in landscape projects & studies, and  4Sight in Auckland. He is now working  as a Landscape Architect consultant for Suzanne Turley

Ben van Bruggen Principal - Senior Urban Designer Urban Design Jasmax

BA (Hons) Town & Country Planning - Oxford Brookes University PGDip Urban Planning - University of Westminister  Master of Urban Design (Maud) - University of Westminister 

Committee Member, New Zealand Urban Design Forum Founding Member, Placemaking Aotearoa 

Ben has over 20 years’ urban design experience with a proven track record of city-shaping infrastructure, urban regeneration and housing projects in New Zealand, his native London, and in Europe and China. Currently a Principal and Senior Urban Designer in Jasmax, Ben thrives on using design thinking to solve complex urban problems. The results are places that are inviting, stand the test of time and reflect the client and community’s identity.

Ben’s understanding of the connection between design policy and projects makes him an exceptional advocate for clients. His background in the UK’s Commission for Architecture and Built Environment, extensive design review experience and as Auckland Council’s strategic design lead, enable a deep understanding of the elements that need to interact and align to create exciting, thriving cities. His skillset and passion lie in aligning diverse stakeholders, including iwi, central and local government, planners and architects to realise infrastructure, housing and urban regeneration projects that unlock value. These include social, health, wellbeing, cultural, and environmental benefits as well as commercial value.

In leading and designing large scale and transformational projects, Ben distinguishes himself. He has worked on several in New Zealand already, including Auckland’s City Centre Masterplan, the Light Rail proposal, the Let’s Get Wellington Moving initiative and several spatial planning projects. He brings insights and proven technical know-how in design review, design codes, master plans and frameworks, townscape assessments and design strategy to the table to enhance value for clients and communities.

JANE Park 

Jane is a multidisciplinary designer with qualifications in classical music, graphic design, spatial design, and landscape architecture.She brings insight from 10 years of experience in the creative industry having co-directed a cultural community space on Karangahape road, managing a high-end glass design studio and currently working as a Designer in the Urban design & Masterplanning team at Eke Panuku.She is involved in several regenerative urban design projects across Tāmaki including Henderson, Takapuna, Avondale, and the Auckland Waterfront. Her special interests include the urban soundscape and innovative collaboration between disciplines to find new solutions and ways of thinking. 

Richard Mann

Landscape Architect of Ngāti Kahugnunu, Ngāi Tūhoe and Tongan descent.  I have worked in private and public sector organisations in the field of public open space planning, design and development.  My range of completed works include various coastal public walkway & foreshore developments, beach upgrade programmes, cemetery design & planning, wahī tapu & heritage site planning, green & brown field development and residential design.  I have coordinated and taught onto the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programme at Unitec and represent Nga Aho on the Auckland Urban Design Panel.

Spring Workshop Timetable

Abstracts

 The Parka Project.                           Abstract. 2.9.21 

Jon Davies – ID:1209701                  MArch (proj)           

 

Currently, there is limited research to improve an estimated 830,000 homes in New Zealand that have no insulation within the external walls. Unfortunately, there is no policy, standard or comprehensive best practice guideline to housing providers and homeowners for retrofitting external walls that are not insulated. Therefore, the research aims to understand how practitioners can design and implement building interventions over existing wall claddings to increase thermal performance in existing occupied as-built homes. 

 

While retrofitting homes have underlying barriers to implementation, the research will primarily focus on technique and practical knowledge in design thermal and hygrothermal performance. Aspects of construction and social costs will be acknowledged within the research but is out of scope.

 

The thesis is divided into five chapters. A review of key background literature and case studies within the subject field will begin the research. This exercise will lead to the evaluation of testing methodologies and the design of experiments. The third exercise actively tests iterative scaled sections of building walls within a controlled environment. The knowledge gained from scaled testing will be analysed and applied to a typical New Zealand bungalow to provide some insight into the process of retrofitting homes. The final chapter will review the value of the research and conclude with where to go next. 

 

International research and practice showcase an existing building’s walls can be retrofitted without the need for occupants to relocate for the duration of the works. 

In New Zealand, there are major knowledge gaps in how to retrofit thermally efficient homes without causing harm to the building’s durability. 

 

Cold houses cost New Zealand $7 Billion annually in respiratory healthcare alone. Case studies of attempted improvements using external insulation suggest it can easily result in a negative outcome with building damage (moisture, water entrapment) when available building science is ignored or misunderstood. Precedents internationally have suggested positive outcomes when the insulation has been applied as an external blanket; however material combinations are critical to this success or failure.

 

Software analysis of proposed design ensures avoidance of moisture accumulation, the subsequent testing for water penetration in NZS4284:2008 test rig including seismic racking and repeated water penetration testing has shown evidence of successful application of both thermal and weathertightness layers.

 

Results of research

existing walls are leaky for both air and water  - testing has shown water is driven through existing cladding by wind pressure. The effects of wind alone contributes to cold internal environments. The addition of water requires either drainage and/or significant drying to avoid damage to structural framing

 Parka Project theme – software modelling of intervention conservatively shows a 60% reduction of energy required to maintain 20 degrees inside a typical house where insulation exists in floor and ceiling

 Parka Project interventions are: adding -a. weathertightness layer, b.mineral wool insulation and c.new cladding - over the existing building fabric, and replacing existing windows with thermally improved frame and double glazing.

 

Improving the thermal envelope of a building allows it to retain heat for longer. Improving indoor environment (temperature) in homes will eventually result in lower rates of respiratory illness. The value is in promoting good practice to avoid further leaky home crises. It is intended that this research can inform policy change at MBIE through providing options for measurable housing stock improvement.

Junxiang Liang

Abstract 

With the development of urbanism, many cities have expanded the land for more space for human needs. For example, buildings and roads have covered urban areas, increasing numbers of vehicles and the population there has also rapidly grown at the same time. Those changes are the leading causes of the urban heat island effect because of the lack of green space, especially in high-density cities. As a result,the small-scale park could be a strategy for the city with limited space. From previous research, a small green space could also contribute cooling effect, and the shape and vegetation should be considered the main factors for design. This study will investigate how to use small/pocket parks to deal with urban heat effects in a high-density area with limited space. It is based on Research by design methodology and concentrates on Ecological Urbanism and Urban Acupuncture as two main theories. The design part of this case is also referenced from Landscape Ecology, which is patch – corridor – matrix. In other words, thinking about how to create an ecological connection is one of the main objectives. This workshop aims to analyse the site in Lanzhou, China, and deepen the pocket park as the core of the design scheme. 

Qi Yang ------Abstract

 

My topic is Using green infrastructure to help improve water quality in Napier. The research site is located in the Ahuriri suburb in Napier. The research question is How can we use green infrastructure to improve the stormwater quality in the suburb of Ahuriri? And how many areas would benefit from a constructed wetland in Ahuriri?

 

In these Workshop 2. I will present the site analysis in Napier and Ahuriri Suburb and share the local situation. Besides that, I will discuss the potential solution to reduce the stormwater pollution from the basin source.  And finally, I will design a multifunctional wetland park in Ahuriri.

Wenwan Zhang

After COVID-19, investigation into how to create a new public park design. 

 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it became hazardous for people to stay in poorly ventilated office and gather together in high numbers. To avoid spreading the virus, “social distance” was encouraged to stop the virus effectively.  

“Social distance” still determines how public space is used in different countries 

As an essential role in people’s daily lives, the design for public park needs to develop. Create the design of environments that positively facilitate human life, and be more resilient to epidemiological crises in the future. 

My research will choose a public park to address the problem, use the knowledge from theory studies, case studies to develop a design. The methodology is designed by research. The research outcome will be to establish a healthier public park. Suitable for public park design in the future at the same time provide the ideas for existing park development.

Aachnal Aachal

THE URBAN FLOOD ADAPTION PLAN 

Abstract 

As Aotearoa moves into the era of climate change, our urban landscapes are becoming more vulnerable to flooding. Along with climate change aggravating the flooding, additionally, Aotearoa is short of housing (“45,000 dwellings” (Johnson et al., 2018)). The loss of land by flooding means the loss of potential to accommodate the housing needs of New Zealand. 

This project strives to develop a climate-adaptive design method for Maybury Street, Glen Innes. The site is at risk of pluvial flooding in the next 100 years. Therefore, the sites’ design will include two parts; firstly, to create a flood adaptation strategy for the Maybury Reserve and its surroundings, and secondly, to safely plan new housing development along Maybury Street.  

The urban flood adaptation design methods formed will be tested and applied to the site using alternative methods and methodology. For example, Rob Regma’s – Research by Design methodology will be used to execute the project, and Geodesign combined with scientific data (from NIWA, LINZ & Auckland Council). Also, community consultation with Glen Innes community professionals will be used to make decisions about the site and further, Geodesign will be used to apply them to the site as practical design solutions.  

This design method will provide a resilient water landscape site for the Glen Innes community. This method will help preserve the existing landscape’s good qualities and build a new landscape to enhance community participation and ameliorate flooding.  

Piyush Verma

How living in Auckland CBD be made more affordable?

4. Aims and Objectives  

Aim: 

Design a Self-contained well-designed unit placed anywhere intending to go in a vertical direction giving a chance to expand the dwellings helping to meet the required numbers by the year 2048. Recreating the residential neighborhood by proposing improved recreational and communal spaces to make the relations between people working and living much stronger.

Objectives:

Analyzing the different housing typologies and design strategies of the megastructure affordable social housing examples and implementing them with a minimalistic approach to accommodate more than the feasible capacity specified for the area. This can happen only by promoting the redevelopments of underdeveloped and underutilized sites to enhance and form opportunities for residential developments.

1. To analyze different criteria for case studies including the number of people housed in the project; density; communal spaces; nature; climate; and topography.

2. Considering green spaces as crucial factors and ways to incorporate with the design solutions to create recreational and communal spaces.

3. To determine the location of the specific site to analyze the local plans and conditions.

4. To validate the possibility of the new housing typology designs that can help solve the crisis. 

 

 

 

Critics

 Tommy Honey

Tommy Honey is a director, designer, educational manager, architectural critic, cultural commentator and occasional architect. He has worked in the theatre, taught architecture and design, directed a Film School and been CEO of an Art & Design college. Tommy was for a long time the resident urbanist on Radio New Zealand’s Nine-to-Noon and he is currently undertaking a Masters in emergent and disruptive technology at the Tech Futures Lab where he is investigating disruption in housing

 

Sara Zwart

I have over 18 years of experience in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design. Since graduating with an honours degree in architecture, I have worked on a wide range of projects across these disciplines in Wanaka, Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland.

My projects seek to engage and align multiple internal council and external stakeholders around a common purpose and vision for urban regeneration of green infrastructure. I specifically work on the Awataha Greenway in Northcote and the Puhinui Stream in Manukau.

Prior to joining Panuku, I was Studio manager and a Landscape Design Lead at Jasmax for ten years. During this time, I worked on a range of landscape architectural projects. In recent years focusing largely on the areas of transport, green infrastructure and campuses.

I have an ongoing passion for sustainable and regenerative urban and landscape design and am actively involved in promoting this both through my project work and involvement with a network of regenerative design practitioners.

I believe that effective integrated design practice, and early stakeholder engagement is instrumental to the success of place-based and regenerative design outcomes. This interest has been further enriched by my understand and respect of Te Ao and Te Reo Māori. I value close collaboration with mana whenua and believe we all share a role of kaitiakitanga for this precious land.

 

 

John Bentley Chapman           

Consulting Engineer & Timber Building Researcher

Most of my research has been in the field of timber structures and their environmental benefits.

A big challenge for NZ is to find new ways to add value to pinus radiata timber before it is exported. To this end I have joined with Industry and investigating possible new areas of use for pinus radiata.  Recently, my work has been looking into various new ways that radiata timber can be considered as the main structural elements in commercial and industrial building.  Even though this is a new field of research in New Zealand, it is well under way in Europe. The challenge to researchers is to develop sufficiently strong and reliable joints using the timber and technologies available in New Zealand. 

 

Winter Workshop