Challenges of the Muisca Cultural Revival: Lessons from Māori architectural resilience
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Authors
Nieto, Pablo Vanegas
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Architecture (Professional)
Grantor
Unitec, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Date
2025
Supervisors
Francis, Kerry
Bradbury, Matthew
Bradbury, Matthew
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Bogotá, (Columbia)
Columbia
Muisca culture
cultural centres
indigenous architecture
architecture and culture
resilience
decolonisation
Māori architecture
ethnoarchaeology
cultural identity
Columbia
Muisca culture
cultural centres
indigenous architecture
architecture and culture
resilience
decolonisation
Māori architecture
ethnoarchaeology
cultural identity
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Nieto, P. V.(2025) Challenges of the Muisca Cultural Revival: Lessons from Māori architectural resilience (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional)). Unitec, Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/7208
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION
How can Māori architectural experiences inform actions to revive Muisca culture in Columbia through architecture as an act of resilience?
Sub-question:
How to translate this information into an architectural design for a cultural centre Muisca's ancestoral territories?
AIM:
This research aims to study the measures that Māori continue using in their architecture as a form of resilience to inspire actions that could have the same effect on the Muisca communities. The development of such a project will include the architectural design of a cultural centre in Bogotá, Columbia.
ABSTRACT
This research project investigates how architectural practices can empower the Muisca Indigenous community in Bogotá, Colombia. By analysing Māori historical, cultural, and social contexts, this study focused on identifying their architectural strategies that functioned as a form of resilience, preserving their culture and reclaiming their land. These insights aim to inform the revitalisation of Muisca Indigenous culture. The methodology follows a Research by Design approach. Multiple methods were employed to achieve the study’s aims and objectives, such as compiling the Literature Review to analyse the cultural, historical, and social context, emphasising the role of architecture in shaping and preserving identity. Analysed Case Studies from Aotearoa uncover strategies that Māori used and continue using to integrate their culture into the architectural landscape of Aotearoa. However, other Case Studies from Colombia identify local strategies relevant to the specific context of the Muisca.
Ethical considerations from Unitec’s Ethics Committee guided engagements with both Māori and Muisca communities throughout the research process, ensuring respectful and responsible practices. Specifically, conducted interviews with Muisca participants and Focus Groups with Māori participants.
By synthesising these findings with an understanding of Muisca dynamics, the study proposes innovative design approaches for developing a Cultural Centre in Bogata. Inspired by the City Council’s ‘Centros de Felicidad’ program, this project will be strategically located within the core of Muisca ancestral territories in El Porvenir municipality, formerly known as Bosa.
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