Redefining Rehabilitation

Mental health within the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) is a critical and growing issue, with limited resources available for serving and retired military personnel. Rehabilitation facilities for veterans in New Zealand are extremely scarce, despite alarming statistics indicating that one in three personnel are experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Hoge et al., 2014). This thesis proposes a redefinition of rehabilitation design, treating both the occupants suffering from PTSD and the site itself as equal clients. By prioritizing the healing and recovery of both the human and the landscape, this research highlights the synergy that can be achieved through dual-purpose design.

This thesis aims to shift the design mindset to integrate and highlight the landscape, fostering restoration and protection of the whenua (land). Focusing on unutilized wasteland areas, specifically the Rangipo Desert, neighbouring Waiouru Military Base. The site was chosen for its proximity to the NZDF but, more importantly, for its extreme environmental conditions. This barren landscape provides an ideal canvas for investigating dual-purpose recovery. The outcome of this research is a speculative exploration of how rehabilitation accommodation can be designed to promote healing for both human occupants and the physical landscape. The proposed solution advocates for an evolution in rehabilitation design, one that balances the purpose of human recovery with the guardianship and regeneration of the land. Through simple yet impactful design interventions, this research aims to redefine rehabilitation spaces as tools for both personnel and environmental restoration.