Anti-Static: Overcoming Suburbia through Kinetic spaces

Problem: Anti-Static critiques economically driven development that is exclusive of the natural environment creating uninspiring places comparable to low density urban environments. It proposes a new system of building, using motion of traditionally static elements, that encourages flexibility of space, sharing, and achieves higher densities and better connections to the natural context.   Location: A strong reliance on vehicular transport and the ‘Pavlova Paradise’, or quarter-acre dream mind-set has created a sprawling built environment and inflexible building stock that threatens to engulf the landscape. Queenstown is an extreme example of this condition; intense pressure to develop is resisted by a need to protect the beautiful environment that attracts nearly two million visitors annually. Current solutions look to satellite towns, but this poses many issues regarding increased infrastructure use and environmental degradation.  Aims and Objectives: This thesis applies the system to propose new standards for upwards and inwards development that focuses on sequestering integrated public open space. The theoretical component of this thesis argues for the intertwining of an objective and subjective theory: ‘Biophilia’ and ‘Picturesque Beauty’. It is argued that ‘picturesque beauty’, a visual style that appreciates natural composition, is strengthened by the contemporary theory of Biophilia, which states that people are intrinsically drawn to natural processes.  The aims of this thesis are to develop a way of improving density, desirability and environmental performance of the suburban environment. It also aims to encourage an effective engagement with, integration into and connection to the natural environment. These aims are achieved by firstly establishing a case for environmental reintegration, understanding the benefits, requirements and visual theory so that it may be integrated effectively, secondly by researching and interrogating current systems from dense environments that improve efficiency through motion within buildings, establishing their context, intention and effectiveness, thirdly by designing and implementing a system that improves the spatial variety, environmental connection and efficiency through an iterative process, finally by testing the design in a comparative masterplan to an existing development and commenting on the success based on the established criteria.