Towards Collective Sustainability

The environmental and social issues associated with modern lifestyles present a unique set of challenges that architecture has an important role in helping to address. The basic human right of housing has become a commodity that is becoming increasingly inaccessible for people. Change is required in our perception and approach to housing and its potential to facilitate positive change and work towards a point where quality housing is accessible for all New Zealanders. This thesis explores the role of Architecture, through the integration of cohousing principles, in designing homes that help to facilitate holistically sustainable lifestyles with the goal of minimizing issues of isolation, environmental degradation, and inaccessible. Having quality living spaces that bring people together to make positive lifestyle changes will be vital in working towards collective sustainability.