Abstract:
In some ways Western society is more mobile than ever before, but continues to disapprove of the itinerant lifestyle adopted by the homeless. This thesis examines whether a design solution can be found that allows for the lifestyle of the itinerant homeless while also reflecting the past history of an indigenous itinerant way of life on the Auckland isthmus. This thesis researches the pre-European Maori way of life, including community, construction and movement around the land. It seeks to unravel definitions of home and homelessness and to explore intentional itinerancy. It researches case studies of available accommodation for the homeless and critiques them in the Auckland context. Explorations of material re-use and recycling inform design decisions, bringing attention to this important issue as resources on the planet become more scarce. This thesis finds that itinerant and semi-nomadic lifestyles were once common in New Zealand and that some choose a homeless lifestyle. Given definitions of home and homelessness, this thesis concludes that it is better to define those who choose this kind of living as 'intentional itinerants'. The design aspect of this thesis uses information gained about intentional itinerancy to begin catering for their needs, acknowledging the differing lifestyles people choose to live and highlighting the need for policy makers and NGO's to reflect these lifestyle choices in their support for such people. The current 'Mission-in-the- City' proposals will not meet the needs of the intentional itinerant, so it is proposed that a series of camp like spaces around the city will help facilitate the intentional itinerant lifestyle. The design focuses on communal camp like spaces, rather than individual shelters, on a series of sites, as this is felt to better reflect and cater to the needs of those intended to use them and also the historic habitation of the isthmus. The design makes particular use of reused materials to reflect a number of issues; economic, social and political.