Toward Te Aorangi; A Kuki Airani Framework for Design in Rarotonga

This design-led thesis explores how prioritisation of the Kuki Airani (Cook Islands) Tivaevae values can enable architecture that enhances the Oraanga Meitaki (Wellbeing and quality of life) of Te Aorangi (The Environment) in Rarotonga.

Within Architecture there has been a shift toward the integration of local, context specific knowledges in design. However, the processes of achieving this remain heavily Eurocentric in practice. This thesis addresses the need to develop culturally appropriate methods for designing architecture with Te Aorangi (The Environment) of Rarotonga.

This thesis approaches research from a Kuki Airani perspective, utilising and adapting the Tivaevae Methodology throughout the paper (Futter-Puati & Maua-Hodges, 2019). Collaboration in the form of Korero (Conversations) and Iriiri (Workshops) has enabled an understanding of how Kuki Airani envision the wellbeing of Tangata (People) and Te Aorangi. From this, an outcome-based design framework was developed from cultural values to enhance the Oraanga Meitaki of Kuki Airani Tangata and existing ecologies. This framework identifies and responds to the environmental challenges of a site through the integration of Kuki Airani Atua (Gods) and traditional understandings of Te Aorangi.

Testing of this framework was carried out in a series of iterative design experiments on an Akaoa site in Arorangi. The subsequent design iterations developed strong connections between Tangata and Te Aorangi, highlighting the holistic nature of the Kuki Airani perspective. A key learning was the re-occurring theme of regeneration and revitalisation within the resulting impacts. Most of the outcomes focused on improving site conditions as opposed to remaining stagnant through the mere reduction of current environmental degradation.

In summary, this thesis highlights the boundaries commonly established within Eurocentric design processes and argues that there is value in expanding the perspective with which we approach climate adaptation in Architecture. Through a de-colonisation lens, this thesis has explored how Kuki Airani values can empower Tangata to reclaim their approach to ‘climate adaption’ by re-shaping the architectural processes of designing environmentally responsive architecture in Rarotonga. This thesis concludes that a shift towards holistic, context specific architectural processes in Rarotonga would enhance the Oraanga Meitaki of Te Aorangi, ecologies, and ensure that Peu Kuki Airani (Culture of the Cook Islands) is celebrated and preserved for future generations.