Abstract:
The aim of this thesis is to gain an understanding of the role
and value of a view of landscape with respect to the interior of
New Zealand houses. It explores the all-or-nothing manner in
which contemporary architecture presents surrounding scenery.
Through a translation of New Zealand landscape paintings, it
presents alternative approaches for connecting the interior
and exterior of a house in such a way that can enhance both
the experience of a view and a house. In doing so this thesis
contends that artistic themes and techniques can enrich views
of landscapes, especially of nature, through the architecture of
New Zealand houses.
This thesis employs three research approaches to achieve its
aim. The first research section, a literature review, provides an
examination of historical and contemporary western attitudes
towards a view. This confirms that much of western society
has learnt to appreciate and benefit from, a view, and that the
nature of people's response is deeply ingrained. The second
section focuses on domestic views in both international and
Wellington houses. Each study is analysed to gain understanding
of the design strategies in respect to architectural presentations
of a view. The last section pursues a more integrated designresearch
approach, separated in two parts. Firstly, it explores a
possible connection between the artistic treatment of landscape
paintings and architectural treatments of houses. Four spaces
are presented as studio residences for artists, focusing on four very different characteristics of land. Secondly, two further house
designs are developed which employ techniques produced
from the first design part as well as research from the previous
sections. It aims to present two opposite spatial approaches to
a depiction of surrounding landscape in an architectural design,
one that presents a single view to look at and one that presents
a series of views to engage with.
This final design section explores the above contention.
It presents how a connection between landscape art and
architecture can offer guidance to the way in which a view is
experienced from New Zealand homes. This is achieved on
a theoretical as well as practical level, generating a range of
techniques for further exploration.
