Ready to Assemble: Design for DIY Assembly of Small Buildings

New Zealand's long-held DIY tradition plays an active role in creating and maintaining our built environment. Light timber frame (LTF) construction dominates residential construction; consequently, DIY practices rely on the wealth of information and skills generated through this building method. This basis of common knowledge and community support has enabled occupant engagement in the ongoing renovation and maintenance of housing without the assistance of skilled tradespeople, becoming a unique characteristic of the Kiwi identity. However, challenges such as climate change and a growing population have necessitated a pivot to modern building systems and methods, primarily prefabrication. The role of DIY practices amid this shift has largely been absent from the discussion.

In response to the identified knowledge gap, this design-based thesis aims to design a prefabricated construction system with an accompanying instruction set that enables the unskilled, on-site assembly of small buildings. The research was undertaken through a qualitative, iterative design process, informed by precedent research and subsequent critical reflection.

The resulting design proposal is a user-assembled, closed panel system that enables self-realised, spatially flexible small residential buildings. Assembly of easily handled panels is simple and repetitious, minimising the need for prior learning or complex documentation. Connections are observable and expressed in the architecture, allowing easy user access, and promoting future modification. Standardisation minimises the number of components to improve on-site assembly efficiency.

This research project aims to contribute to the discussion surrounding the future of DIY construction in New Zealand. It serves as a case study, offering insight into what that future could look like based on a prefabricated, closed panel system geared towards the unskilled builder.