'TŪHONONGA: Co-occupying with Earth and Sky'
TŪHONONGA is a vertical papakāinga (cultural co-housing) design that explores the use of Māori narratives to create architecture that co-exists with more-than-human entities like Ranginui (sky), Papatūānuku (earth) and Tāwhirimātea (weather). The TŪHONONGA was developed within a mauri-centered postgraduate research studio, part of a National Science Challenge urban wellbeing research programme led by AUT’s He Puna Ora,Regenerative Action Lab. Iwi governance body Te Tatau o Te Arawa was the key research partner, while the projects were sited on Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands in Rotorua. Thesis projects were guided by Ngā Tohu Mauri Ora, a housing wellbeing compass and system change tool generated collaboratively from a He Puna Ora kitset compass.
“This fifth year Master’s project won the 2022 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Student Design Award. The long-standing and prestigious awards acknowledge and showcase the mahi from the four accredited architecture programmes in Aotearoa.”
Student: Matangireia Yates-Francis (Te Arawa, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki,Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Maniapoto)
Supervisor: Dr Amanda Yates (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Rongowhakaata).
Degree: Master of Architecture (Professional), Auckland University of Technology.
LINK: https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/items/d7e5d101-99da-4164-8bf1-a3893a6cb7dd
“If te ao Māori presents solutions to a sustainable future, this vertical pā could be the design blueprint that guides us in building homes that support successful co-occupancy with taiao (the natural world).“Through architecture grounded in tikanga Māori at the physical, spatial and spiritual levels, this proposition re-imagines people living in harmony with Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother). The vertical arrangement creates connection to both and recognises this space as essential for architecture to occupy. It also re-establishes star observation and celebrates Matariki.“Beautiful and elegant, this presentation considers architecture for all through co-occupancy. Architectural resolution – concept, structure and detailing are all well considered. There is an infusion and embedding of knowledge, living and being.“In successfully translating traditional narratives, they are brought to light in the Anthropocene age, dropping the veil dividing the physical and spiritual realms. In doing so, the project challenges current architectural thinking and presents boundless opportunity for potential.”
