Spatial Narrative and Guardianship

Demographic

In the future, Naenae will increase in population. Targeted interventions and community initiatives will work towards creating a stronger community and a safer environment. Sustainability Trust is Wellington’s energy specialists, focusing on providing the best for their customers, and the environment. Their vision is ‘An environmentally, socially, economically and culturally sustainable Wellington Region’. They work with households and communities across the Wellington Region to improve well-being and reduce our collective environmental impact. They focus on urban sustainability, particularly to do with housing and day to day lifestyle choices. They offer Education programmes delivering a range of workshops on sustainable urban living. They tailor these workshops for individuals, businesses, schools, and community organisations. Thereby, NaeNae will not only become a wealthier and safer suburb to live in, but also a sustainable urban living space http://sustaintrust.org.nz.

I will act as a guardian for the future resident of this home (whom will have a wealthy background), which is realistic in terms of my future clients. This house will cater for a small family of approx 3 people.

Targeted Issue: Heating

Lack of heating was problematic for a number of people living in NaeNae state housing, leading to serious health risks. Many informants in the NaeNae region reported that houses can get “cold and damp, not insulated, just basically your standard house" - Housing worker. 

The main issue is that many houses in New Zealand are simply too cold and damp, poorly oriented to the sun, and badly insulated. During winter, the temperatures of living areas and bedrooms of many New Zealand homes have been shown to be up to 6°C below the World Health Organisation suggested minimum indoor temperature of 18°C. The average winter temperature in New Zealand living rooms is 13.5°C in winter. More than 75 percent of New Zealand homes have insufficient ceiling insulation and 70 percent where the floor could be insulated, have no underfloor insulation at all.

What makes a healthy home? 

Adequate heating and insulation to ensure a warm, dry house and good ventilation that prevents toxic mould and moisture build-up and reduces allergens. Removing potential toxic substances such as lead paint and asbestos is important and the installation, maintenance, and consistent use of safety devices – along with good design – will eliminate potential health and safety hazards.

Energy-efficient heating systems 

Healthy heating systems go hand in hand with energy efficiency, but some systems also have significant health risks. Research has shown that unflued gas heaters generate significant amounts of moisture and nitrogen dioxide. However, modern flued gas appliances offer a fast and efficient heat source with a wide range of options from small heaters through to central heating.

Spatial Generator: Kotikoti (to cut to pieces, dice, divide, lay out boundaries)

KotiKoti is a mechanism in order to solve this heating issue. By using sustainable materials and methods, I aim to 'cut' and 'divide' several areas of the house (e.g. walls, roof, ceiling, property) so that I can address and solve this problem. Insulation, energy efficient heating, and harnessing the suns energy to heat a home efficiently are all methods to achieve this.

When I come to design the house, I will not only look into the heating aspect, I will also create a carbon neutral dwelling, addressing the quality of the existing housing, by transforming and modifying the space into a safer, more comfortable and sustainable area for the future occupants.

This State house is built in a spatially confined section. I will improve the original house by focusing on vertical elements, whereby previously, the house was horizontally spread. It is important to sufficiently use the space, both indoors and outdoors, and have a low carbon footprint. By employing vertical elements within the design, the future occupants of this house will have the ability to utilise the space to its greatest potential.

Key features to incorporate into the design:

- In relation to KotiKoti, rooms and walls will need to be relocated in order to harness the suns energy  to heat a home efficiently. 

- Create an open, spacious environment aiming to occupy a small family of 3 people.

- Houses in Naenae can get cold and damp; heating was problematic for a number of informants. I will use sustainable heating methods to create a comfortable, dry environment.

- Environmentally friendly, energy efficient products and materials will be used in both the interior and exterior structure of the house.

- Use safe, carefree, low maintenance resources.

- Reuse/reduce/recycle of materials from the existing house.

- Indoor/ outdoor flow.

- Multiple windows, allowing as much natural light into the house.