Project description

The construction industry is regulated through ever-tightening building codes as governments attempt to manage urban development. Financially disadvantaged groups unable to meet the expectations of such codes are forced to compromise living conditions which reinforces cyclical poverty. Architectural disobediences emerge in informal settlements, as homes that comply with regulatory frameworks become inaccessible for the low-income demographic.

Kaikohe, located in New Zealand's Far North District, is a small town of limited affluence. Its residential fabric has been victim to an architectural apartheid, meaning the supply of quality housing has been unfairly distributed across the country according to wealth. Despite this, an overwhelming respect for tapu and a profound celebration of indigenous culture, reveals an eager community. The mauri of this project is summarised in a design and construction process allowing people to reclaim mana over their own living spaces through incremental self-build practice.

The project situates itself amidst a current issue, responding to the many Auckland homes being demolished as the city prepares for high-density living. Architectural solutions are delivered by instead relocating these suburban houses, dismantling them, and reusing the salvaged structure in a new context. The fragmentation and subsequent reconstruction of these dwellings is done by the residents themselves, meaning inhabitants become active contributors in the construction of their housing. This application of self-building engages construction professionals to upskill the local community, reduce costs and foster participatory design.

The project creates a unique opportunity for meaningful and emotional investment in housing, leading to a true sense of ownership. This is necessary for those burdened by financial and social pressures, as it affirms responsibility and introduces accountability while simultaneously delivering low-cost housing solutions.

Jury citation

A scheme to relocate, dismantle and reinvent houses from Auckland as self-built homes in Kaikohe is the bold proposal made by this project, which is concerned with finding ways to unburden the residents of the Far North town from housing deprivation through a process of incremental self-build practice. Using a community workshop as a starting point for a new self-built community, Rachael has formulated a plan for a neighbourhood shaped by learning, sharing, sustainable reuse and self-determination.

Early engagement with the Kaikohe community has demonstrated the value of building relationships with communities for mutual benefit of the architect and the community they serve, and Rachael’s project has clearly been enriched by this experience. Further enhancing the value of this project is her decision to include a programme for upskilling and empowering residents during the self-build process, which helps to give dignity to those housed as a result.

An honest and detailed understanding of codes and regulations has provided a firm basis for this project, which is enlivened by a clear desire to uplift those in need and provide practical solutions to their problems. This quality is inspiring to see in a young future architect, especially in a way that provides tools, but does not presume agency.