The simple life : the bach enters the 21st century: a proposal for the evolution of a cultural icon

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the kiwi bach with the purpose of determining whether it had the potential to evolve and thus remain a current cultural icon in the 21st century. This required analysing the history and development of the bach typology to the current day. It was important to gain a knowledge of the bach's cultural standing in the national psyche, both now and in the past, and to identify the direction in which the bach would need to go, were it to evolve. Essential characteristics of the bach needed to be defined, to understand how a building could be made 'bachy.' Environmental technologies - in particular those relating to solar energy conversion - that were supportive of this evolution needed to be investigated. The research method utilised both primary and secondary sources to obtain the necessary information. Books and national academic publications such as Fabrications and UME provided theories and histories of bach development. Bach users were interviewed on their thoughts and experiences of the family holiday home, and contemporary bach designs featured in New Zealand architectural magazines were analysed to understand the lifestyle, routine and spatial characteristics related to such a typology. An internet study provided the majority of information on current, available solar and environmental technologies. It eventuated that the bach, although no longer experiencing the construction boom it did in earlier times, is still an important concept in the national culture. New Zealanders like to 'get away from it all.' This was much easier in the past than it is presently, as cities like Auckland and Christchurch continue to sprawl into the countryside, absorbing rural settlements, and taking advantage of countryside and coastline that was previously out of reach to everyday holiday-makers. Nowadays, to 'get away', kiwis are travelling further and delving deeper into the country's wilderness. As frequently happens with tourism, the country's natural beauty is its own worst enemy, for beautiful spots, once discovered, do not stay untouched for long. To avoid further environmental degradation and to secure the opportunity for future generations of New Zealanders to enjoy this same unspoilt wilderness, the bach must become autonomous.