A home today, designed for tomorrow : a home which can be added onto, subtracted from, and adapted as our lives change over time

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A home today, designed for tomorrow : a home which can be added onto, subtracted from, and adapted as our lives change over time

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Authors
Kostiuk-Warren, J. Max
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Architecture (Professional)
Grantor
Unitec Institute of Technology
Date
2015
Supervisors
Schnoor, Christoph
Turner, David
Budgett, Jeanette
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
residential accommodation
prefabrication
adaptive design
modular architecture
domestic architecture
do-it-yourself (DIY)
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Kostiuk-Warren, J. M. (2015). A home today, designed for tomorrow : a home which can be added onto, subtracted from, and adapted as our lives change over time. Explanatory Document. An unpublished research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional). Unitec Institute of Technology.
Abstract
This project asks the question: ‘How can the home be redefined, in the New Zealand context, to integrate a high level of adaptability into the design scheme once the initial construction of the home has been completed?’ This question was chosen as a result of looking specifically at first home buyers and how a scheme like this could potentially benefit them. What if a homeowner could build small to save money initially, then easily be able to expand when needed later? The theoretical review looks into the history of prefabrication and includes a review of different types of prefabrication methods (component, panel, module, hybrid, and complete buildings). It also looks into the benefits and drawbacks of prefabrication in the building industry today. By examining historic precedents such as the Hivehaus, Boxus, ZipUp Enclosures, and the Nakagin Capsule Tower, it was possible to gain a greater understanding of what has been designed in the past and why it may not have been as successful as possible. Three main prototypes were explored through a highly detailed level of digital modelling. Digital modelling was chosen as it is the only medium to provide the level of detail required in order to really test how the building and all of its components would work in unison, to explore the full extent of the adaptability. The conclusion of this research project is a building that operates as an adaptable form to accommodate changes that reflect the changing needs of the occupants. This project will not look into creating and developing entirely new methods of construction in the New Zealand building industry. It will instead look at ways to utilise, expand on, and adapt methods of prefabrication which have already been developed (and proven to work in the New Zealand context) in a new way that will allow a high level of flexibility in the design/layout once the building has been constructed and is being occupied.
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