Homing together
2020
A housing proposal for extended families in an aging and multi-cultural society in Manukau.
Senior Care in Diverse Culture
New Zealand is an aging society. According to a demographic report, the senior population of Māori, Oceanian, and Asian would see a significant growth in the next decade, which means the older generation will become more culturally diverse. Unlike the western culture where seniors would like to go to retirement villages or aged houses, Māori and Pacific people tend to live with their elder generation and taking care of the elderly is a merit, that is respected.
Manukau is a diverse society that is composed of many ethnicities, therefore, learning how to take different culture into account on senior care design is the main challenge.
Puhinui Stream & Greenway Network
The significant feature of this site is Puhinui stream. Puhinui stream is now hidden and forgotten behind the large retail buildings. The reserve protects a variety of ecosystems and habitats, and also contains a historical context. Pollution has been identified and a regeneration project is ongoing. It is planned be an entertainment area where people can enjoy nature.
The east part of the site is a commercial, shopping and educational centre. The bridge leads the public from Hayman park to this site and to Puhinui stream.
Family Care & Community Support
In Māori culture, Whanau, means extended family and the composition in their society. They have a strong connections of communities and families, and they would live together and help each other. Whānau (family) care and community support would play a bigger role rather than other facility care.
The practical solution would be extended family housing. Here, the extended family could mean the multi-generational family, relatives and friends. They can live closely and take care of each other.
The solution for senior care for Māori & Pacific people -
Not any caring facilities
But extended family housing programs !!!
1. Independent Unit (Left)
In a contemporary society, multi-generational housing requires separated-family units, so each household would be able to live independently. Units are composed of flats with 2-5 bedrooms and studios, which can house single elders or couples.
2. Combined Unit
The independent units are easy to be combined together to create a bigger unit, which can house more family units. They can share the common space or have a partition wall. It is a flexible arrangement, which could be adjusted depending on the needs of residents.
3. Small Cluster-Community
The combined units constitute the small cluster-community, not very big, around 3-6 storeys. Each side has 2 or 3 combined units. They all share a private garden in the middle, which has a width from 15m to 25m (friendly scale).
Project Layout
GF Plan
Sections