Wilderness Revisited; Designing to Dwell in Conservation Parts of New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealanders have an inherent relationship to land and conservation, with the Department of Conservation (DOC) being at the forefront of helping to engage people with these isolated parts of New Zealand, often through walking tracks and huts. However, these conservation parts of New Zealand are becoming increasingly underutilised as the current DOC huts lack architectural intention. Furthermore, they lack experiential connection to the unique sites in which they are constructed.

This project proposes the design of a series of three huts that will be experienced over the period of a six-day walk through New Zealand’s West Coast, alternating on a nightly basis with three existing DOC huts in the area. Architectural and aesthetic integrity is eminently important as a continuation of the profound New Zealand landscape. The new hut designs act as an attraction to these isolated conservation areas and enable the occupants to gain a richer experience of the place in which they are tramping. This series of three huts over three unique site conditions will be explored in detail. The design response becomes exemplary of how we can seek to dwell in a temporary location and enrich our experience of site through architectural consideration.