Javani Govender from Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau, Huri Te Ao Hoahoanga, Auckland University of Technology, School of Future Environments is a finalist in the 2023 Student Design Awards for project 'Rotu Whakaora: Re-Indigenising Healthcare Environments: A Design Proposal for an Infusion and Wellbeing Clinic at Greenlane Clinical Service Centre in Tāmaki-makau-rau'.
Project description
Rotu Whakaora delves into the re-indigenisation of healthcare spaces, particularly through the design of a new infusion/wellbeing clinic. It contemplates how these re-indigenised spaces can contribute to positive urban futures and environments.
Implemented within a papakāinga (village) architectural typology, Rotu Whakaora comprises two critical components: an architectural design project and a whenua revitalisation strategy. This proposal aims to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space, fostering a profound sense of belonging and cultural reverence within the landscape. The proposed infusion/wellbeing clinic embodies a transformative approach to community health and wellbeing. It seeks to seamlessly integrate Indigenous wisdom, cultural heritage and contemporary medical expertise.
The core vision of this project is to create an infusion facility that seamlessly integrates Indigenous wisdom, cultural heritage and modern medical expertise. This vision is rooted in the commitment to embed the clinic’s design in the rich tapestry of Indigenous knowledge systems and Māori cultural values. Beyond its medical function, the facility aspires to be a nurturing space, addressing the holistic wellbeing of its occupants – encompassing their spirits, minds and bodies.
Rotu Whakaora is rooted in the rich tapestry of Indigenous knowledge systems and Māori cultural values. This aspiration encapsulates the fusion of health, culture, environment and community with an intergenerational focus on holistic vitality and mauri.
Brief description: Implemented within a papakāinga (village) architectural typology, Rotu Whakaora comprises two critical components: an architectural design project and a whenua revitalisation strategy. The project delves into the re-indigenisation of healthcare spaces, particularly, through the design of a new infusion/wellbeing clinic. It contemplates how these re-indigenised spaces can contribute to positive urban futures and environments.
Jury citation
The intersection between healthcare, culture and how architecture can support positive outcomes has been summed up beautifully. What is clear in making this project special is all the spaces in between – they have been considered and brought to life. They are the glue, the connection, and are present in the plan.
The design of the healthcare centre reads as a village and the placement of buildings and their scale demonstrate a measured hand.
The design provides vulnerable people with a meaningful experience within a healthcare setting. Words such as comfort and understanding have been applied to their situation and the architectural outcome. It’s an approach needed in practice now.
By taking a methodical solutions-based approach, providing health services in a spatial setting has been considered with sensitivity. All people within the setting have been treated equally – staff have the same access to experience delight that everyone else has been afforded.
There are moments of beauty in reaching the built outcome.
