New Zealand : Dave Strachan

Dave Strachan, SGA, Auckland, New Zealand : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2002
Motu Kaikoura Lodge Building , Kaikoura Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Completed April 2018
[community, conservation, remote, pre-fabrication, design-build, women building workshop]

Motu Kaikoura is a protected scenic reserve north-west of Great Barrier Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand. It is managed by the Motu Kaikoura Community Trust. The lodge area is located on the southern side and accommodates research workers, education inititiatives, volunteers and public visitors to the unique island. In 2013 the communal building was destroyed by arson. Strachan Group Architects were approached due to their experience in prefabrication that the remote location demanded.

The facility, which houses a kitchen, dining and indoor/outdoor living, is conceived with flexible spaces, with strong connection to the environment, through framed apertures and plentiful natural light. The directional breezway draws one towards the hypnotic view with decks either side, to be utilised depending on weather conditions. In response to the existing buildings, services and various directions of approach, the new saw-tooth form reaches up to access the northern sun and echo the natural bush form. Materials are robust, the pre-finished exterior blends into the surrounding bush, contrasted by the warmth of the timber interior.

Due to a major shortfall in funding SGA concieved a creative solution to get the project off the ground. A partnership was formed with ‘Architecture+Women NZ’ to deliver the building contract as an educational program in which 16 architects and graduates would gain invaluable hands on experience. Due to this unique collaboration the project was also supported by many industry partners who generously donated/discounted building supplies.

The construction system was devised with transport limitations of land, sea and sky in mind, as well as buildability for the apprentice team and the Trust’s environmental policy. The panelised building components were constructed in the SGA Workshops in Kingsland and then flat-packed and heli-lifted on to the foundations from a barge in the passage below. The method of construction and story of assembly are proudly expressed in the detailing and finishing.

Architect team – Dave Strachan, Maria Hosking, Joanna Jack

Building team – Architecture+Women NZ Workshop participants –

Yenegh Badimayalew, Aishwarya Basur, Anna Boow, Katie Corner, Gaynor Eade, Terese Fitzgerald, Elspeth Gray, Georgina Gray, Katharine Hebden, Nicola Herbst, Pip Newman, Krupa Patel, Divya Purushotham, Lauren van Tiel, Jane Waldegrave, Lily Wong.

Crate Innovation Ltd : JR Hosking & Co. Carpenters : SGA Ltd

Photo Credits – Ross Keane, SGA Ltd

www.sgaltd.co.nz

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston25 June 2018

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org