Dela ni yavu = The foundation
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Authors
Korovakaturaga, Ratu Epeneri Raudreudre Ganilau
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Architecture (Professional)
Grantor
Unitec Institute of Technology
Date
2021
Supervisors
Hall, Margot
Schnoor, Christoph
Schnoor, Christoph
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Suva (Fiji)
Fiji
iTaukei
Fijians
cultural centres
cultural identity
iTaukei Design Principles
indigenous methodologies
Fijian architecture
indigenous architecture
Pasifika
decolonisation
Fiji
iTaukei
Fijians
cultural centres
cultural identity
iTaukei Design Principles
indigenous methodologies
Fijian architecture
indigenous architecture
Pasifika
decolonisation
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Korovakaturaga, R. E. R. G. (2021). Dela ni yavu = the foundation. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional)). Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10652/5365
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION:
How can architecture be used as a medium for reconnecting iTaukei (indigenous Fijians) with their culture?
ABSTRACT:
Dela ni Yavu is a project that intends to reconnect and strengthen the relationship of iTaukei urban communities with their culture. iTaukei cultural values and traditions are in danger of disappearing in urban areas, impacting the cultural education of future generations of iTaukei. This project focuses on celebrating and integrating cultural education by providing a Cultural Centre for iTaukei urban communities and all Fijians within the capital city, Suva.
In order to design a Cultural Centre that recognises and promotes iTaukei design it was first necessary to understand the iTaukei culture and develop a design framework to guide the process. The project effectively became two projects. Inspired by the Te Aranga Māori Design Principles a preliminary framework, the iTaukei Design Principles, was developed. This was then used to inform the design process.
The research began by investigating and understanding the sociocultural challenges iTaukei people face in urban centres, and the reasons iTaukei communities struggle to sustain their culture. This led to researching and learning more about iTaukei culture and the core values that underpin the traditions and customs. Exploratory studies, including interviews, were conducted. These confirmed the anxiety around the loss of culture and also confirmed some of the cultural values highlighted in the literature. These core cultural values informed the development of the iTaukei Design Principles.
The developing iTaukei Design Principles, in turn, informed the design of the Cultural Centre. Other cultural centre precedents from the wider Oceania region were analysed through drawings and diagrams, an architectural techniques observed during this analysis also informed the design of the facility.
The final design, the Dela ni Yavu Cultural Centre, provides spaces for urban iTaukei to practice and learn about their culture and embraces the concept of consolidating iTaukei identity and heritage in an urban environment.
Site: Suva, Fiji
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