The guardian to self-empowerment: influenced through experiential interior architecture

Abstract

This thesis explores the idea of interior architecture as a guardian, to optimistically influence occupant experiences. The aim of this thesis is to engage with the sphere of tikanga Māori; how Māori beliefs, principles and values will support the narrative of the environment and therefore the experiences of those inhabiting the space to holistically increase one’s self-hood and wellbeing. This research uses the programme of a boarding school, for Māori female juvenile delinquents, because this is a project where the occupants would considerably benefit, from interior architecture performing as an influential supporter or guardian. To propose that interior architecture can perform as a guardian, is to acknowledge that interior architecture possesses invisible powers, namely that interior environments can operate and act as a: (1) provider: providing the necessary environment to give the desired experiences needed, (2) a supporter: using interior architecture to support the occupants’ experience, (3) a protector: allowing occupants to feel safe and secure, (4) a place of nourishment: using interior architecture to nurture the development of the occupants, and (5) an encourager: encouraging positive experiences or performances needed, all throughout a wā kāinga (home) environment within this boarding school. To understand the idea of interior architecture performing as a guardian for the selected group: Māori female juvenile delinquents, this thesis engages how Māori visualize the world and, in effect, live their everyday lives, as a method to distinguish and articulate the ‘guardian’ characteristics of interior architecture suitable for the selected group. Using interior architecture to act as a guardian, in particular for Māori women, is important because Māori have a strong spiritual connection to the physical built environment. The thesis will examine the issues and propose an iwi-specific design for reconceptualising facilities provided for Māori female delinquents of Ngati Kahungunu descent in Wellington.