Wellington Fiji-Hindus and their housing and architecture

Abstract

The aim of the Research is to identify how Wellington Fiji-Hindus are or are not accommodated within the housing forms in which they are now living. The Report is in two parts: PART 1 Describes the Generic cultural characteristics of Wellington Fiji-Hindus. This has been further broken down into four aspects that made one a Fiji-Hindu from a cultural point of view – 1.00 - Family Rituals 2.00 - Religion 3.00 - Festivals 4.00 - Social Only those cultural apsects with 'space-forming' implications have been looked at. The descriptions in regard to the generic cultural characteristics are based on the Hindus' Fiji location, as the majority of them settled in Wellington only over the past two years. PART 2 Four housing types were undertaken for study - Category A - Single-family, sub-urban Category B - Single family, urban Category C - Housing above stores Category D - Multi-unit, walk-up housing Analyses of various spaces and aspects, as affected by the Hindu cultural concepts of dwellings is made and discussions presented. The Research is not intended to compare the Hindu housing with Wellington houses. The idea is to see - to what extent the new living environment is accomodating the Hindus. The analyses of the findings should serve as an important reference point from Design aspect, for the New Zealand Architectural profession. A better perception of prospective Fiji-Hindu community clients will help in attempting to provide them with housing environment in sympathy with their cultural living patterns.