Architectural Design 5 : The Experimental
ORAKEI COMMUNITY CENTRE is a site of celebration and gathering to reflect on the traditions and narrative of the past. The centre is built on Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s iwi values of well-being and education. The architecture observes Māori celebratory events such as Pōwhiri and Hakari, and imitates hand gestures to personify its structure. In Maori belief, the architecture is not just seen as a building but an ancestor who lives and tells the past.
The iwi also greatly value the land by focusing on giving back to Papatūānuku. In the present, our earth is continuing to experience damage from human materialism and our harmful actions to our environment. In light of the earth's environmental concerns, we must create architecture that respects and restores the land.
Site
The Orakei community centre is located in Taurarua/ Judges Bay, a historical meeting point between Pakeha and Maori. In relation to the meeting point, the land & water becomes a symbol of their assemblage as the architecture is placed at a node that openly intersects the land & water.
Site Visit: Over time, the land has been through changes such as an added motorway that divides the park from the sea. The Motorway emits loud noises from the train and the cars. In response, I positioned the building in the middle of a road that connects the park and the Parnell Baths. This location also allowed me to introduce a decked pathway that will enable people to walk and view the water.
In conclusion, the design shares New Zealand's culture and values in hopes of reminding us to be thankful to the land and the narratives that teach & celebrates peace.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei: https://ngatiwhatuaorakei.com/
Pōwhiri: “the traditional ceremony welcoming people onto a marae.” What is a Pōwhiri? (2021). The University of Auckland.
Hākari: “ is a feast; it plays an important role in Māori culture as a demonstration of hospitality and mana.” Story: Māori feasts and ceremonial eating (Basil Keane, 5th Sep 2013) Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
Pōwhiri: “the traditional ceremony welcoming people onto a marae.” What is a Pōwhiri? (2021). The University of Auckland.
Hākari: “ is a feast; it plays an important role in Māori culture as a demonstration of hospitality and mana.” Story: Māori feasts and ceremonial eating (Basil Keane, 5th Sep 2013) Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
Taurarua/ Judges Bay History: http://content.aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/resources/case-studies/judges-bay reserve/Documents/Case%20study_Judges%20Bay%20Reserve.pdf
Pre-Design
MIND MAPPING/ 6 MARCH 2021
This was an initial abstracted sketch beginning on the concepts of wellness mechanisims. I interpreted the mechanism in relation to community through the idea of understanding one’s self you can understand others better. My wellness mechanism was therefore self-reflection; the organisation of though that creates an apprechiation of our journey of life and experiences. The box arrangement is drawn on the idea of the duration of a thought such as lengthy decision making. However, the subject is open for interpretation of the space and dimension of each though.
MEDITATIVE DRAWING
