Introducing a civic heart to Mt Roskill

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: Can a civic heart regenerate the suburb of Mt Roskill with informed design decisions based on architectural psychology?

ABSTRACT: Auckland is rapidly progressing. Improvements have been made to transport infrastructure, new and vibrant urban developments are being built, and support for youth development has been increasing. However, some suburbs have been left behind from the progress around them. One such suburb is Mt Roskill. The present research aims to help the suburb of Mt Roskill catch up to the progress made around it and re-instill a sense of community.

Three significant issues arise when confronting this problem. The first is the lack of robust public transport infrastructure, in comparison to the rest of Auckland. The second is the lack of a vibrant and connected town centre. The Te Puketāpapa (Mt Roskill) council brief identifies these problems, along with the third and most pressing issue; a lack of support for local youth and their career pathways.

The solution to these problems suggested in this project was a community complex, incorporating architecture that directly addresses the issues outlined above. To create a lively, inviting and connected town centre, the research proposed integration of architectural psychological principles that would ensure a streamlined design process and enable a deeper understanding to design decision-making. To create a solution that is unique to Mt Roskill, the Te Aranga Principles were utilised to set the architecture in its context and enhance the prominent features of the site.

The question arises: Can a civic heart regenerate the suburb of Mt Roskill with informed design decisions based on architectural psychology? When breaking down the state of knowledge in the field of architectural psychology for this project, three design drivers to investigate arose. An efficient circulation scheme that connects the various functions of the site, the promotion of a safe and inviting atmosphere, and the methodology to encourage interaction. Architectural psychologist David Canter described how mental mapping could be used to create and influence circulation. Architect Grant Hilderbrand embeds the instincts associated with a safe and inviting atmosphere in psychology, and urban designer Vikas Mehta outlined theories on how to manipulate the street to allow for social interaction; these three theorists together informed the process of the present project.

These techniques and approaches outlined in the texts and reinforced by precedents informed a logical design process. The method of site orientation, forming the circulation of a transport hub/community centre and developing a methodology for the functional layout of the complex, was learned and applied through these areas of knowledge. Producing a final design through a streamlined process that could be replicated in other ‘left behind’ suburbs.

Site: Mount Albert Road and Dominion Road intersection.