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

 

Abstracts

 Masters of Landscape Architecture (Project) 

By Emma Tempest 

Student Id: 1549847 - UNITEC Supervisor: Sue Wake 

RESEARCH QUESTION: 

How can the postnatal wellbeing of wāhine/women be enhanced through their relationship with nature in Aotearoa New Zealand? 

WORKING TITLE: 

Wāhine/ Women: Embody postnatal wellbeing through your connection with nature. 

ABSTRACT: 

A loss of connection to nature (or disruption to a personal relationship with nature) can impact upon a woman’s ‘lived’ postnatal experiences. This research will examine how health and culture is embedded in place. The project will identify how an interconnectedness to nature (during postpartum) may contribute design strategies to urban and rural contexts (such as healthcare settings and community initiatives) within Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Mātauranga Māori will underpin the research, recognising this living body of knowledge offers the collective an opportunity for improving postnatal care in Aotearoa New Zealand. Research will explore the work of precedent projects and leading theorists, namely in the field of language revitalisation, therapeutic landscapes, placemaking for wellbeing, biophilia and Te Aranga Design principles (where contextually appropriate for mana whenua). A Narrative Research approach will collect and analyse 

‘lived’ postnatal experiences across Aotearoa New Zealand and specifically in a local context known to the researcher (Coromandel Peninsula). A group of nation-wide participants and multi-disciplinary specialists will act as credible reference for ‘lived’ postnatal experiences. 

An applied arts process will use drawing, photo montage and creative GSI mapping for site design to represent a solution for postpartum experience in a public realm. A Community-Up approach is hoped to have specific positive outcomes for Māori wāhine/ women, whānau and wider communities in this study. Evidence shows cultural, social and political factors can impact on a relationship with nature. This research seeks to find solutions to help alleviate and mitigate negative postnatal experiences that will also encourage postnatal intergenerational healing throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. It is hoped this research will contribute a positive exemplar through research, design strategies and  outcome for a biophilic approach to local and national public health. 

Aachna 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  

Title 

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

Abstract 

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. During urban expansion, consider the potential of future public park development in the future urban zone, 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 in the future urban zone 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.   

Critics

 Kamelia Haydon. Associate Urban Designer Isthmus

 

Kamelia is an Urban designer with thirteen years experience in the industry and qualifications in architecture (Registered Architect, ARBV + NZRAB) and urban design (Masters of Urban Design). Her project experience is based predominantly in Auckland and Melbourne. This includes large-scale public projects delivered in partnership with international practices such as Auckland’s City Rail Link and Arts Centre Melbourne.

 

Having worked on the regeneration of Glen Innes, Mangere and Mount Roskill she has learnt that community, local understanding and forward planning are essential to placemaking. She is experienced in residential masterplanning, planning constraint testing, development feasibility studies, framework plan creation and structuring technical reports such as Business Case documentation and Guidelines to support these.

 

Kamelia has worked in and led large multi-disciplinary teams, having to deliver under intense time pressure. As an urban designer and registered architect, she offers conceptual strength blended with the ability to follow a project through to completion, ensuring the concept is accurately translated into the built environment.

 

Matt Riley
Senior Urban Designer Barker and Associates. Matt completed a Master of Planning Practice degree (Auckland) in 2000, after working in law and spending time overseas. He worked as a planning consultant at Barry Rae Transurban for five years while studying for a Master of Architecture (Urban Design). After graduating in 2005, Matt moved to Auckland City Council as an urban designer. Matt’s work at council involved urban design input to development proposals and secondments to the Unitary Plan team and Housing Project Office. Matt joined Barker & Associates as a Senior Urban Designer in 2014.

Critics

 Zoe Avery 

Master of Landscape Architecture (by Design), Bachelor of Planning (Hons) and currently completing a Master of Urban Design.

Zoe is a principal at 4Sight Consulting Limited, a Board Member of Green Roofs Australasia, Director of Living Roofs New Zealand and member of the World Green Infrastructure Network.

Zoë has been working on sustainable development in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, including the encouragement of green infrastructure through design, planning and policy development for over twenty years. With a knack for managing multiple demands 

 

 

Charlotte Greive. Landscape Architect at Auckland Council.

 

Charlotte has worked both in the Auckland Design Office doing strategic design and in Community Facilities doing design delivery. Overall experience working mostly in community and public space design. Most recent experience seeing projects from initial concept design to built construction, overseeing small to medium projects, and supporting on larger ones. About 7 - 8 years working experience in total, including a year and a half working in Sydney, Australia as a graduate. Skilled in ArchiCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Programs. Graduated with an undergraduate and masters degree in landscape architecture, from Victoria University of Wellington, with a period of 6 months study abroad in Copenhagen.

Abstracts

  Ahlia-Mei Ta’ala

 

The Fires of Ambition: Te Awa Tupua 2040

Since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi the Whanganui river has actively been destroyed through legislative acts by the Crown. The Highways and Watercourses Diversions Act 1858, the Wanganui River Trust Act 1891, and the Coal Mines Act amendment in 1891 have all undermined the Treaty and the ability for Whanganui uri (descendants of the river) to care, protect, manage and use the river. This has diminished the mauri of the river and resulted in the loss of ancestral knowledge around tīkanga towards the river. 

The Te Awa Tupua Act that was passed in 2017 represents a significant turning point. A point where we acknowledge the people who championed the longest running legal battle in New Zealand’s history, through imagining the future of the river and its people through their eyes. Now that the river is legislated as a legal person through Westminster law, Whanganui uri can shift efforts towards restoring the mauri of the awa and rebuilding their relationship with the river to be what it once was. 

This research follows a process of decolonisation towards re-indigenisation within Kaupapa Māori Rangahau, specifically through Whanganuitanga and Te Awa Tupua. Within landscape architecture, this research situates itself within the context of tūpuna (ancestral) landscape mapping - as the researcher is a descendent of the river, and the river is her tūpuna (ancestor). This follows a site investigative process of visualising the socio-cultural layers of histories of the site of Pākaitore and its context within the Whanganui river and to Whanganui uri, in order to reimagine the future of the urban site of Pākaitore to be a site that reflects its people and its history, through the rebuilding of the indigenous knowledges that reside within the landscape. 

E Tempest - MLA (Project) 2021 - PROPOSAL - Supervisor: Sue Wake, Unitec, Aotearoa

RESEARCH QUESTION: 

How can the social, cultural, physical and spiritual wellbeing of postpartum women be benefitted through connection to the natural world in Aotearoa New Zealand?  

WORKING TITLE: 

Wahine/Women: Embody postpartum wellbeing (through landscape) in Aotearoa New Zealand 

ABSTRACT: 

A loss of connection with Nature and disruption to sense of place impacts upon the postpartum health of women in Aotearoa.  The experience of postnatal depletion, post-natal depression and the inequalities that exist between culture, narratives and statistics have long-term implications for family and community. 

This research will examine knowledge and experience of belonging and culture, health and value embedded in place. It will identify and demonstrate the interconnectedness of health and place during postpartum experience, as paramount to design strategy and solutions in an Aotearoa context. Mātauranga Māori and Te Aranga design principles will underpin and guide commitment to research. Recognising these offer opportunity for improving postpartum care in Aotearoa is significant to the outcome of the research, especially for Maori postpartum women.  

Research will explore the concepts and practises of therapeutic landscapes, the interconnection of women’s health, place and belonging, ecopsychology, and ecofeminism.  Women’s participation through narrative will act as a credible reference for postpartum 

‘lived’ experiences. An applied arts process will contribute an immersive in-situ installation to express, represent and support women’s postpartum experience in the public realm. The research will adopt a Community-Up approach to help navigate findings by a non-Maori seeking specific benefits for postpartum Maori women and their whanau.  

The social, cultural, physical and spiritual wellbeing of postpartum women (during and beyond the first year following childbirth) in Aotearoa can be benefitted through connection to the natural world. This relationship and awareness can alleviate and mitigate experiences of postnatal depletion/depression and encourage intergenerational healing. 

Aachna Acchal

URBAN FLOOD ADAPTATION PLAN 

Abstract 

As Aotearoa moves into the era of climate change our urban landscape 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. This method includes two parts; firstly, to create a sites’ specific design strategy that is adaptive to flooding and secondly, to increase housing that will be climate proof.

The urban flood adaptation design methods will be tested and applied to a case study site using combination of Rob Regma’s methodology, Geodesign tools, community consultation, and scientific data (from NIWA, LINZ & Auckland Council).

This design method will provide a resilient water landscape site for its community. This method will help preserve the good qualities of the existing landscape and build a new landscape which will enhance community participation and ameliorate flooding. 

Wenwan Zhang

Abstract 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, to avoid the spreading of the virus (spreading by confirmed COVID-19 cases, the contact of mucus or body fluid.), "work from home" and "social distance" are claimed as an effective way to stop the virus (the high risk to stay in a poorly ventilated office and the high density of people gathering).  

"Social distance" still determines how public space is used in different countries. Simultaneously, the remotely working style will be an intense reason for peoples to change their living places. Families move to small towns away from major cities has become a trend, accelerated the population growth and urban expansion in the town. 

As an essential role in people's daily lives, public green space needs to develop. The design of environments positively facilitates human life and is more resilient to epidemiological crises in the future. 

 

Fall Workshop

 

Critics

Mark Mismash

Mark Mismash is a registered architect with a background in construction, engineering, teaching, business, and management.  His diverse skill set adds value to design, budgets, schedules, and fostering relationships within my office, with consultants, clients, and communities.   

He excels as a team builder and leader. He empathizes with each stakeholder in large, complex projects, and understand their priorities.  He translates these interests between disciplines to form a cohesive, effective stakeholder team. 

He embraces innovation, recently leading a design team to a New Zealand first using C4R (now BIM360), and engaging consultants and other key stakeholders. 

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. 

STUART HOUGHTON 

ASSOCIATE PARTNER     URBAN DESIGNER | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Stuart is a qualified urban designer and registered NZILA landscape architect with more than fifteen years’ experience in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He has a breadth of experience in urban design and landscape architecture, for sites at a range of scales and for clients in both the public and private sector. His design work includes preparing urban design frameworks, structure plans, and site master plans as well as strategic and conceptual design proposals for streets and public spaces 

As an urban designer Stuart has proven experience of working collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary teams on complex urban development, infrastructure and public realm projects. He brings to each commission an open and inquiring mind, clear strategic design thinking and robust and considered analysis of issues and opportunities. He regularly undertakes design review and assessment roles in relation to complex mixed use and development projects, infrastructure and streetscape / public realm proposals. 

In addition to his design expertise Stuart has strong written communication and presentation skills that have enabled him to gain considerable experience in the areas of urban and landscape planning, including strategy and policy, design guidance, urban design and landscape assessment, and presentation of expert evidence at council hearings for plan changes and resource consents. Recently this experience has included being the urban designer for the Smales Farm private plan change to enable transit-oriented development and tall buildings on that site, a review of the urban development options for Maungawhau and Karangahape CRL Stations for City Rail Link Limited, and urban design assessments for the 277 Broadway redevelopment by Scentre Group, Auckland City Mission Homeground development and Auckland Waterfront Apartments at Wynyard Quarter.  Since 2014 Stuart has served as a panellist and chair of the Auckland Urban Design Panel that provides design review to large scale, complex and high-profile development projects across Auckland. 

Stuart naturally bridges professional and disciplinary divides between planning and design, strategy and implementation, and public and private interests, to deliver higher quality, more liveable cities and urban places. His work has received a number of awards including most recently the NZILA Charlie Challenger Supreme Award for the Auckland Transport City East West Transport Study, the 2018 Living Streets Aotearoa award for The Business Case for Walking: Investigating the Economic Value of Walking in the Auckland City Centre.as well as a visionary urban design award from the NZILA for his master’s thesis.  

Benoit Coppens 

Landscape Architect and Urban Design Consultant 

With a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech in Belgium & the University of Montreal in Canada. Benoit currently works alongside the Landscape and Urban Design team where his knowledge and industry experience, including previous work with a number of prestigious landscape & architecture firms in Europe, have made him an invaluable member of the team. 

His diverse range of field experience includes managing work sites, overseeing territorial strategy, supervising large-scale landscaping, garden and urbanism projects through to assisting with local neighbourhood and community projects. 

Hugely aware of improving the relationship between culture & nature, Benoit intends to utilise a holistic approach when it comes to considering, designing and implementing both living and non-living landscapes. 

Benoit is member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. 

Abstracts

Rob Small

How can matauranga Maori direct the development of a contemporary multi/purpose garden for Ngati Whatua Orakei

The aim of this project is to examine how to design a garden that will display the ethnobotany of the Māori people of Aotearoa. Importantly the design must reflect Māori thinking rather than a wider world view. There is no garden that I have been able to find that displays this traditional use of plants from our native bush or plants that were brought by the original Pacific Island settlers in an authentic and comprehensive way.

This project is important because it is connected inextricably to the language, customs, and art of Maori, and just as the revival of the Māori language (Te Reo) has become an urgent agenda in New Zealand, so too is the revival of those traditional uses of our native forests and our Maori gardening. It is important to reflect on the diminishing knowledge among our older Māori and the potential loss of these traditions and culture. The purpose that a garden designed in this way would fill, is to create a setting where these essential parts of Māori tikanga can come to life, a context within which the stories ,customs and practices can be revitalised and made relevant for future generations. While the project will be conducted for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei with the proposed site being Pourewa Reserve, it bears high relevance to other Iwi in Aotearoa and indeed will demonstrate a legitimate branch of botanic garden design that will speak to a New Zealand audience in a way that has never been done before. It will also be a model that could benefit the wider world’s understanding of a Māori perspective as the original settlers of Aotearoa. 

In order to achieve this project’s design outcomes, I will examine international models of ethnobotanic gardens to find design precedents. I will research the aspects of how a garden can reflect a Māori world view while exploring the history and practices of pre-colonial vegetable gardening and the aspect of Māori medicine or rongoā Māori, as well as the gathering of wild foods from the forests.  I will then use this information to inform my design.

Peter Raimondo 

Title: Tall Bricks 

Research question: How can brick veneer cladding be efficiently (or cost-effectively) and safely designed using NZ bricks and construction methodologies on new or existing mid- or high-rise buildings? 

Intro/Abstract: The purpose of this project is to create homegrown research on mid- and high-rise brick cladding using NZ materials and construction techniques on which to base a reference guide for designing brick veneer facades. While the design and construction methodology for one and two storey buildings with brick cladding has been tested and proven in New Zealand, methods for designing safe brick veneer facades for buildings three storeys and above are relatively unknown. I have been designing brick facades based on international standards and best practices, and often get pushback from project teams questioning how international standards can be appropriately followed in New Zealand. The opposition to my design methodology has come from two opposite camps, both of which seem to misunderstand the strengths and/or limitations of bricks.  

Firstly, some reference the Christchurch earthquakes as why brick should not be used in New Zealand. This group would likely have seen the damaged masonry buildings and decided that brick is inherently weak during seismic movement and therefore unsuitable for the local conditions without knowing that there are different ways to build a building with a brick exterior façade. Secondly, there are those that believe that brick veneers are very strong and therefore can be applied to mid- or high-rise buildings in the exact same way that they are applied to small 1- and 2-storey homes. This group attempts to “value engineer” or eliminate required items within the brick design to save money on a project without understanding that these deletions can and will compromise safety and durability.  

While the two groups opposing groups are opposite in perspective, they are similar in their lack understanding of how bricks behave, and of how to capitalise on their strengths and design around their weaknesses.  

Through my observation of brick veneers at recently constructed buildings around Auckland, I have found a spectrum of methods for resisting or accommodating seismic movement (or lack thereof), and a variety of movement damage/failure patterns. Clearly, a lack of NZ-based brick veneer research has led to this wide spectrum of techniques, with overly conservative at one end and unsafe/non-durable at the other. 

One commonality between all of the designs, however, is that almost all of them use traditional, one-part strap-style brick ties to laterally restrain the bricks. My hypothesis is that these strap ties secure the bricks rigidly to the substrate, and do not provide adequate seismic movement capacity between the brick veneer and the structure behind it. While this is acceptable for smaller buildings up to two storeys, taller buildings have larger seismic movements and higher forces, which need to be accommodated to avoid damaging the bricks and mortar within the veneer. 

The lab testing portion of my research will include building 2-storey mock ups of brick veneer facades with identical layouts, using multiple construction methodologies to observe whether traditional low-rise strap ties are acceptable for taller buildings. If not, will movement accommodation between the brick veneer and the structure is sufficient to accommodate the seismic movements expected in NZ. The interstorey joint and top of wall will be moved side to side to simulate seismic drift movements, and observations will be made. 

Jon Davies

The Parka Project.

The purpose of the research is to create architectural interventions to increase thermal performance in existing occupied as-built homes.  

The limitations are the walls, as few homes in New Zealand have insulated walls. 

What are the barriers that are preventing every architect/policy maker/housing provider/builder implement change that would result in a healthier population?  

Hypothesis: 

The hypothesis for this research is that we can externally insulate existing masonry buildings to internationally acceptable performance standards.  

In New Zealand there are major knowledge gaps in how we build thermally efficient homes. It is therefore possible to improve practical understanding of creating thermal performance for existing dwellings.   

The underlying barriers to implement the change are costs, both monetary and social and, practical understanding/knowledge in design and hygrothermal performance.  

Methodology/Approach:  

Case study & Design Research Project  

Literature and observation will drive the background research.  

The background research will inform the design and documentation of the architectural case study. 

Testing using industry standard NZS4284 plus EM7 will show viability and validity of design and create E2/VM2 compliance pathway. 

Findings: 

Literature: External insulation has been applied to walls since WWII. This has been successful in European Countries.  

Doing this the same way in New Zealand and in North America has resulted in leaky buildings. 

Observation: Cold houses cost New Zealand $7 Billion annually in respiratory healthcare alone. Case studies of attempted improvements using external insulation eg. EIFS, ETICS suggest it can easily result in a negative outcome with building damage (moisture, water) when misapplied. Precedents internationally have suggested positive outcomes when insulation has been applied as an external blanket.  

My initial research suggests architects, policy makers, housing providers and builders need to be given an understanding of what is possible and the tools to apply a measurable improvement approach in a sensible way for specific building typologies.  

Value: Improved housing stock. Improving the thermal efficiency of a building allows it to retain heat for longer. Increasing temperatures in homes will eventually result in lower respiratory illness. 

Guiding, educating, ‘how to do’ – implementing successful application within the NZ context. Promoting good practice to avoid further leaky home crises.    

Inform policy change at Community Housing Providers and MBIE. 

RAHELEH JAHANBANI

SAFER CYCLING NETWORKS IN AUCKLAND 

High-density cities worldwide are trying to reduce the amount of motorised transportation mode usage and use a sustainable alternative such as cycling. It is clear that cycling offers significant environmental, financial, and health benefits. This paper is set up to investigate how the cycling network can be made safer in Auckland.

Auckland is the largest urban region in New Zealand and has the challenges of a growing population and, accordingly, ongoing urban growth. A Snapshot of Cycling in Auckland (2017), released annually by the Ministry of Transport, shows the rate of cycling in 2016 was only two percent, in comparison to the other travel modes, such as motorised vehicles, public transport, and so on. In a recent report, The Stuff (Flahive, 2019) comments that Auckland riders had increased by 8.9 percent in a year, compared to the previous 12 months. The increasing trend in biking requires more facilities, safer cycleways, and convenient routes. As well, reducing car dependency can preserve Auckland’s green network and help keep future growth ecofriendly and sustainable.

This thesis concludes with pragmatic solutions to enhance the biking corridor’s safety and make cycling an irresistible option. In this paper, Auckland’s current characteristics and its future challenges and plans are investigated. The project method defines appropriate environmental, social, and technical criteria drawn from the literature relating to New Urbanism and Sustainable Mobility and tests three different case studies. Furthermore, relevant road codes and Te Aranga principles are studied. This paper offers a safe practical design that is evocative of interest in cycling as a prime form of transportation by retrofitting five high-risk zones including intersections, T-junctions, driveways, parallel parking, and bus stops. Moreover, an entertainment/ social zone is promoted to expand social willingness and economic growth.

Faizan Javed

Nature’s Prescription: Making room for green spaces in highly dense cities to combat urban stress 

Continuous urban growth and sprawling city development in the outskirts of Metro Manila means less and less areas to develop and thus the city is left with few open green spaces. Despite of being the nation’s major center for commerce and entertainment, the life’s value predominantly decreases. Causing a lot of problems on how the people respond to everyday life around, making them more stressed and deprived to the point that Metro manila is now one of the top 10 most stressful cities to live in the world.

The association between urban green space and well-being has been extensively studied and practiced in many parts of the world. However, in developing countries such as Philippines, there are few examples of such studies. This research looks at the effects of urban densification on green space and its planning. The researcher identified the problems, challenges, and strategies of urban green space planning during densification processes. Furthermore, this research also investigated the effect of urban green spaces in relation to public health. The project adopts the framework of research by design. This method visually shows the design model and the changing of the urban layout.   

Findings from this research suggests that while urbanization in Manila is rapid, there are still plenty of available sites which could be worked on and turned into green spaces. Base on the findings, there are underutilized idle lands located in prime areas within the city. Many of these Idle lands are in highly urbanized areas. So, creating urban green spaces on this type of setting, will not only address the problem of urban greening, but also enhance the quality of life within the community.

Pippa Sommerville 

Space for Zero 

This research explores how design of public space needs to respond to urban development’s greatest challenge of the 21st Century - a reduction in carbon emissions to zero by 2050. 

Climate change is bringing extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat waves, heavy rain, floods and landslides to the world. A rapidly changing climate will result in rising sea levels, ocean acidification and loss of global biodiversity (EU Climate Change, n.d.). 

The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) has advised that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is essential to reduce the extremity of weather events and avoid a collapse of essential ecosystems. To achieve that, being carbon neutral by the mid-21st century is essential.  

Urban public space provides multiple and diverse functions in a city. Public space contributes to the preservation of biodiversity, the reconciliation of people and nature and promotes the health and well-being of the population (Joana de Sa, 2013).  

Urban and public space design and development in the late 20th Century had its foundation in the burning of fossil fuels for energy. This led to suburban sprawl and as a consequence the human scale being designed out of the urban fabric.  

The drive for zero-emissions living will lead to more localised living, which will create an opportunity to bring the human scale back to our cities. To remain an integral and cohesive part of the urban fabric, public space must adapt to serve people living zero-carbon lives. To do this there needs to be a shift in the way it is designed, developed and maintained.  

Research question: 

How will zero-carbon living impact the design of urban public space? 

Methodology 

A quantitative approach will be used following data collection to calculate sources of emissions from the community. A participatory design and evidence-based approach will be used to inform research by design. 

The community will be involved in providing carbon footprint data which will be collated into evidence of the community’s carbon footprint. This will inform the design intervention possibilities that (when implemented) will support zero-carbon living. Design solutions will be developed in workshops with the community, who will own and implement the plan over 30 years.  

Using a quantitative, evidence-based approach will ensure the plan and model will lead to a reduction in emissions that will reach zero by 2050. A participatory design approach will be used to ensure workable solutions are proposed that will increase the functionality of public space as the community reduces their reliance on fossil fuels for energy.  

Princeton Motupalli

Water Reclamation.

This Dissertation aims to address a growing threat that remains unseen until it has reached the front lines, a water crisis. As our world continues through its Anthropocene, fresh clean drinking water is being abused and misused through negligence, the elixir of life itself is being depleted without repercussions. We see this in recent events as Auckland city broke its record of a 39-day drought early 2020 causing the front line of the water crisis to edge closer as the seasons’ pass. Auckland’s average rainfall per annum is around 1284mm which means that hypothetically, we get an average of 107mm if rainfall per month, now to be a city that is fortunate enough to get scattered rainfall throughout the year yet dumping that same water into our harbor is a huge waste. Through our highways and infrastructure, we have built yet utilized foundations.

This thesis will critiquing Aotearoa’s stormwater management system in terms of treatment and conservation, more specifically through our roading network and our rural medium to high-density housings. Auckland city already has the foundation laid to create a well-functioning stormwater circulation system; however, it is unfinished due to most of Auckland’s stormwater being dumped out into our harbour unfiltered, this is a huge waste, not to mention, very polluting. Auckland isn’t far away from becoming a well-functioning city of sails, with our public system and our transporting networks heading towards completion of its current stage a well productive city is looking promising, however during this process a lot of focus is being taken out of critical needs such as water mitigation and climate change, are we ready for the upcoming challenges that are heading towards our direction?

 

 

Summer Workshop Timetable

 

three minute thesis

 Rahele and Rob enter the three minute thesis comp, with Rob bringing home the big prize !!!! well done

RESULT!!!!

 A great day of presentations with all students passing , y to many highlights to mention but congratulation to all the students and many thks to our excellent review panels

 

Spring Programme