Voids of war : an exploration of memorial culture & veteran support

Abstract

Voids of War, is an examination of the human cost of war beyond the battle field. New Zealand subscribes to a rules based international order. Given that this order is under increasing pressure New Zealand’s continued and active support is more important than ever. “New Zealand’s relative geographic isolation from other countries no longer affords the protection it once did.” Recent decades have seen unprecedented levels of operational activity, with the frequency and complexity of these operations placing increasing pressure on the New Zealand Defence force capability to meet operational commitments. Despite an increase to New Zealand’s operational obligation, our veteran community continues to decline and, as a result fewer personnel are completing multiple operational deployments within their career.

Recognising the stresses these commitments place on veterans and their families is critical to providing a veteran centric approach to the support and well-being of the veteran community. This veteran community has to deal with shifting age demographics, as well as the physiological challenges of war, challenges that were only recognised as recently as the 1970’s. These challenges require the agencies involved to pursue a more holistic approach to the support and wellbeing of contemporary veterans. There is a need for an Architectural approach, which can assist organisations such as the Returned and Services Association, (RSA) with a veteran centric model of architecture offering services for veterans of contemporary conflicts.