"Visual integration of medium density housing"

Abstract

This study began out of a personal interest in the topic, and the need to check overseas trends in medium density housing, here in New Zealand. My concern arose from the design guidelines adopted by New Zealand architects, from studies done overseas by Clare Cooper Marcus and others. I believe there is always a danger of enforcing a set of rules without having first tested them in the location in which they are to be applied. Admittedly, a 'visual study' addresses only one aspect of medium density housing design, but it is a start. Seven hypotheses were established from the existing literature or my own observations (refer 1.3). These related to the ways in which architects and non-architects perceive medium density housing schemes, and what they each consider appropriate. Other participant groups were residents and neighbours of the six medium density housing schemes which I selected for the study from around the Wellington area. The schemes selected display a variety of approaches to providing medium density housing in the suburbs, and were therefore helpful to compare. A detailed account of the research method is contained in Appendix 1. Three questionnaires were designed to test the hypotheses established by means of conducting interviews with the participants involved (refer Appendix 2). On analysing the data obtained, the results were then compared with the hypotheses to determine whether they were supported or rejected. In summary, both architects and non-architects did agree on what was visually integrated and appropriate, with similar visual clues noticed by each. The non-architects were more analytical and able to justify their opinions of medium density housing schemes than I anticipated. As expected, most people are concerned about the appearance of medium density housing schemes, with the preference being for a 'home-like' image rather than an 'institutional' one. Although it is viewed positively if a medium density housing scheme blends-in to the surrounding visual environment, this is not true in terms of colour; where the majority of resisdents and neighbours were against schemes camoflaging into the neighbourhood. While some degree of complexity should be displayed in any scheme, there is a limit beyond which chaos will result. The two most common methods of expressing complexity are through colour and building form.