At the meeting on thursday we discussed the idea of a design - build type studio at Vic. We threw round some ideas about what and where, as well who would be involved to make it a possibility (lecturers, Diane Brand etc).
I think some of the key themes were -
1. Agenda - humanitarian? - funding for a small, local community project could be obtained relatively easily / we will get mad warm fuzzy vibes if we actually do something meaningful whilst at school.
2. Scale - if we build under 10ms^2 we can negate the resource consent process...do I have that right? this could be shelters, seating etc.
3. Integration with VUW - this could be achieved relatively easily under the guise of a lecturer supervised research paper, however this would also make the paper an elective and it could be hard to put in as much of a sustained effort as we would like.
Another option would be to integrate the project with a construction paper (the project would potentially have design + professional practice integration possibilities too). Judging by the feedback from my 3rd yr construction paper which has been integrated with the solar decathlon house (as much as I love the solar decathlon project), I think this latter option runs the risk of us removing ourselves from the 'discourse'. VUW is an acedemic body and as a university differs from a polytech type course. This is particularly relevant now that in fourth + fifth year we will be doing a research based masters degree. It's ultimately the lecturers who know about and decide on such things though.
I missed the first meeting but apparently Guy Marriage has been very supportive about this idea - awesome - great lecturer to have on board.
4. Where -some options: A school, Karori Sanctuary / Wilton's bush, Homeless people in Mt Vic, Lower Hutt.
We decided that if we're pro-active and seek out opportunities it is far more likely that this kind of project will be endorsed by the school.
( I'll post some information and an update about a possible site, Te Aro primary school, soon)
5. If none this works out we'll collectively migrate to illegal treehouses in the greenspace in aro valley as part of a radical architectural protest /anarchistic social housing experiment.
A discussion forum for the students at the school of Architecture and Design of VUW.
Agreed on all counts ben, and thanks for summarising that for everyone. Really looking forward to hearing more about Te Aro school, potentially such a perfect situation if we can do something mutually beneficial.
ReplyDeletePlus I'm always always down for 'mad warm fuzzy vibes', and possibly illegal treehouses come summertime. Aro's chilly enough this time of year with a real house!
How fuzzy are we talking?
ReplyDeleteSeems like we're trying to pursue the Te Aro school project, was wondering what steps we should take next?
Also I think Mount Vic is much better suited for these illegal tree houses. Such hideous trees in Mount Vic, would anyone notice if a couple of them fell.
I think that maybe a summer elective might work best as there wont be other work loads to worry about and hopefully the weather would be warmer?
ReplyDeleteThe Te Aro School project sounds good! It would be great to help out the younger members of our community.
I also agree that Mt. Vic would be better suited to illegal tree houses. However the pine trees there are not hideous! I think the stark nature of them makes the area all the more magical, especially when the wind washes through them. The perfect place for illegal tree houses!