PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Fiji is the economic capital of the South Pacific, centrally located within the region it is a multi-racial and multi-cultural society. It’s capital Suva is the largest urban area in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand and like many Pacific island nations is facing a modern day crisis - Urbanisation.
The majority of the residents of greater Suva live in squatter settlements. This number has been increasing yearly for the past fifteen years. Many of those living on the urban edge are indigenous Fijians who through the course of modern history have become dislocated from traditional lands and villages.
The existing Raiwaqa Apartments due for imminent demolition were constructed 20 yrs ago as temporary accommodation for displaced - yet they are still occupied today.
Our interest was to take this real life situation and to offer an improved architectural solution. We have taken this site and designed a cost effective medium density-housing development.
Our aim is to create a sustainable model that could be easily and affordably replicated throughout Fiji, and the pacific. We have called this model Vakabauta Village.
Vakabauta means ‘I believe’ in Fijian.
The traditional Fijian village offers many attributes that we strive to replicate today.
Sustainability – respect for and awareness of the resources available.
Community – an acknowledgement that much can be achieved when working together and sharing.
Vakabuata Village draws on these traditional values to help create a model sustainable urban community for developing pacific nations.
Bamboo creates the focus of the community activity, provides a sustainable economic base and empowers residents to engage with the wider community in a productive way.
While the village model aims to reduce wastage through close loop recycling, it also interconnects with global issues to play its’ part in a sustainable world.
Fiji is the economic capital of the South Pacific, centrally located within the region it is a multi-racial and multi-cultural society. It’s capital Suva is the largest urban area in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand and like many Pacific island nations is facing a modern day crisis - Urbanisation.
The majority of the residents of greater Suva live in squatter settlements. This number has been increasing yearly for the past fifteen years. Many of those living on the urban edge are indigenous Fijians who through the course of modern history have become dislocated from traditional lands and villages.
The existing Raiwaqa Apartments due for imminent demolition were constructed 20 yrs ago as temporary accommodation for displaced - yet they are still occupied today.
Our interest was to take this real life situation and to offer an improved architectural solution. We have taken this site and designed a cost effective medium density-housing development.
Our aim is to create a sustainable model that could be easily and affordably replicated throughout Fiji, and the pacific. We have called this model Vakabauta Village.
Vakabauta means ‘I believe’ in Fijian.