Back to society
Date
2019Citation:
Saturi, P. (2019). Back to society. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional)). Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10652/4858Permanent link to Research Bank record:
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/4858Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION:
How can homelessness and social isolation be helped through community architecture in Mt Roskill?
ABSTRACT:
Homelessness is an international crisis. The last time a global survey was attempted – by the United Nations in 2005 – an estimated 100 million people worldwide were homeless. Moreover, it was estimated that as many as 1.6 billion people lacked adequate housing. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Housing has identified there to be more than 41,000 homeless people in New Zealand and almost half of these (20,296) are in Auckland itself. Homelessness has devastating effects on people and communities Furthermore, the suburb of Mt Roskill located on the Auckland city fringe, in particular has a significant number of homeless people. Whilst there is a community of homeless people, they are often isolated from society in general. Mt Roskill has around 61,000 residents 49 percent of whom were born overseas. Cultural diversity of the suburb is evident wherever you look.
The design of a space that accommodates both the growing homeless population and functions as a meeting and workplace for the community is the primary objective of this research project. It is hoped that this architectural intervention will help integrate both the homeless population and the population of the wider community who are finding it hard to integrate into society, by allowing them to work together via a community garden and soup kitchen.
The investigation is comprised of four phases. The first focuses on establishing best practice through literature review and case studies. Phase two involves design research on the histories and current architectural responses to the problems at hand. The third phase focuses on site survey, selection and analysis. The first three phases establish a brief which provides the framework for the final design phase. The design outcome is a community centre with a soup kitchen. Accommodation for people who are transitionally homeless in Mt Roskill is also provided. The inclusion of a soup kitchen and community centre is intended to work as a catalyst to promote social interaction and operate as a means of reintegration for the homeless members back into society.