MAKEing: A New Zealand tiny house as an exploration of research by making within architecture.

Making within architecture encompasses many definitions and modes, but these are often at some distance from the production of buildings. IE architect’s ‘make’ drawings and models, but a builder makes a building. This thesis explores the benefits and liabilities of bridging between imagining and enacting architectural production thought the design and build of a ‘tiny house’. Via an analysis of craft, symbol, processes and experience, the research begins with the activities of ‘the hands’ in architectural production. From here the mode of micro-architecture – specifically, a client driven ‘tiny house’ - is investigated and implemented as an example of research-by-making. A theoretical and model-based concept for the design of the ‘tiny house’ was developed, from which research by-making could be conducted. The Build Phase, comprising the most significant aspect of this research, was then implemented, with commentary and reflection. Although this approach is not without its limitations as a proxy for practice based making, it facilitates a greater range of making considerations than conventional studio-based production. In this way this project makes and advances an alternative design-research while advocating for learning by making.