Abstract:
New Zealand was once considered one of the least environmentally damaged countries in the world. Heralded for its pristine landscape, and its ‘Pure’ moniker, New Zealand was promoted, perhaps unintentionally, as an environmentally
conscious country. However, despite this image New Zealand, like other Westernised countries, suffers from the residual effects of agriculture and industry which have left a legacy of damaged and contaminated sites.
This thesis investigates how increased built development and regeneration of damaged environments can be achieved through architectural development, incorporating creatively and sensitively designed buildings. It seeks to adapt and translate technologies and resources to act not only as an environmental cleanser, but also provide for urban regeneration to go beyond the rhetoric of green and sustainable building principles.
The research finds that a change in focus is required; away from monetary focus and instead to environmental focus. This needs to occur immediately to avoid further environmental damage and to begin remediation of existing
damage. This can be resolved by incorporating existing remediation techniques further into development.
The change also needs to incorporate the way in which we live. Urban responses and architecture play very important
roles. The creation of mixed use sites with green space allow for localised consumption and recreation. Inhabitation patterns have been poorly addressed by New Zealand developers and a different rationale and process
needs to be undertaken. It is time for New Zealand to stop appearing green and start taking significant steps to reducing environmental impact.
The project successfully investigates and addresses the issues of regeneration, both of site and urban conditions. It sits between the two streams of thought, technological and theoretical and extracts the positives of these two elements to create an informed solution that recognises past, present and future use.
