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Surplus reality: GenAI and the post-truth architectural milieu of representation
No full textThis paper explores the convergence of Deleuze’s multiplicities, Benjamin’s loss of aura, architectural representation, and Generative AI in contemporary creative practices, specifically within architectural representation. Deleuze’s concept challenges hierarchical structures, fostering new configurations of thought, and Benjamin’s notion questions the authenticity of reproduced images, influencing the transformation of the intersection of art and architecture.
The emergence of architectural representation blurs physical and virtual boundaries, while Generative AI introduces algorithm-driven spatial designs. Investigating these intersections, this paper explores their impact on architectural practices, particularly in digital design. It examines how Generative AI challenges traditional authorship and creativity, promoting collaborative processes. Synthesising these concepts ascribes the evolving landscape of architectural practice in the digital age, emphasising the need to engage critically with these frameworks
Redefining the oncological healing environment
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can integrating Māori health principles in the design of healing environments promote well-being and better health outcomes for cancer patients?
• What role can natural elements, including materials, textures, light, and sound, play in creating healing environments, and how can the spatial layout be organised and optimised to support physical, mental, spiri tual, and family well-being in keeping with Te Whare Tapa Whā.
ABSTRACT
There is a constant need to redesign environments that promote health and well-being. While the primary design focus for traditional healthcare centres is on function, more consideration of design from a well-being perspective is required. There is increasing recognition of this approach through healthcare architecture and the role it plays in recovery. A salutogenic design approach focuses on factors that promote health. Incorporating biophilic elements and designs that are culturally inspired and congruent with Te Ao Māori would be relevant to all New Zealand healthcare facilities.
He Korowai Oranga is the Government’s strategic paper outlining the best out-comes for Māori health. Given the increasing burden on the health system, it is up to all stakeholders to look for ways to optimise efficiency and seek better outcomes. This demand should inspire designers to rethink architecture in ways that can assist health and well-being. This project will investigate how Māori health and salutogenic principles can be incorporated into healthcare architecture, specifically an oncology ward.
The study will include the principles of Tikanga Māori (correct customs, principles and practices), biophilic elements and salutogenic design to inspire and encourage better health outcomes for cancer patients.
PROJECT SITE: Lake Wainamu, Auckland, New Zealan
Learning from practice in the digital age: Digitalisation of heritage in New Zealand
No full textNatural disasters, neglect and demolition continually exacerbate the dire state of heritage in New Zealand. This research investigates existing knowledge on heritage conservation in New Zealand and explores contemporary methods of digital preservation. The research involved a survey study of 156 responses from industry professionals, community members, government officials and academics. It was analysed using Braun and Clark's thematic analysis to understand the risks and benefits of digital tools in heritage conservation. The findings are organized into themes, sub-themes and codes. The paper is presented in three parts: (1) a review of heritage digitalisation methods and existing regulatory frameworks in New Zealand; (2) survey results and (3) a discussion on perceptions of using digital tools for conservation. Despite varying perceptions, the benefits of digitalisation outweigh the drawbacks. Through solutions outlined by professionals in the country, this paper highlights the potential of digitalisation to enhance heritage conservation effort
Monitoring of North Island fantail / pīwakawaka fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis Bangs, 1921, Rhipiduridae) distribution on Tiritiri Matangi Island: Using several spatial methods for processing volunteer data
No full textThe Aotearoa / New Zealand pīwakawaka / fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa (Sparrman, 1787), Rhipiduridae, is an iconic species and conspicuous in a range of habitats. However, island populations of the species are said to fluctuate dramatically. This project set out to investigate the population dynamics of Te Ika a Māui / North Island subspecies Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis Bangs, 1921 on Tiritiri Matangi Island using a volunteer-based monitoring scheme. To achieve this goal, we developed a pilot sampling grid and determined spatial-distribution characteristics using several approaches, including geostatistical tools in ArcMap, species distribution modelling (SDM) and occupancy modelling. Fantail presence data was recorded twice a year by volunteers assigned to specific grids at different seasons for two years on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Recorded count data shows distinctive differences between the sampling periods and different areas of the island. Significant hotspots, as well as clustering of abundance, show different patterns, with significantly higher abundance and widespread distribution during May compared to November. Spatial analysis identified vegetation, particularly replanted areas, as influencing the fantail counts. Results of SDM show areas of the island suitable for the species, and occupancy models further describe the seasonal spatial characteristics of fantail. The effort also highlights the importance of volunteers in providing bird-count data to generate the knowledge base required for the management of an island sanctuary
Navigating the nexus: Enhancing engagement in New Zealand’s clinical governance landscape
No full textThis study explores the experiences of engagement in clinical governance within New Zealand's rural, primary, and urban health sectors before the July 2022 health sector reform that replaced District Health Boards with a national health system. Clinical governance is internationally recognised as a quality framework ensuring safe and effective patient care. Its success depends on a culture supported by knowledgeable staff and governance directors and the relationship between service delivery and organisational governance. The study adopts a qualitative descriptive analysis using selected grounded theory methods. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 participants, including clinicians, governance directors, and executive leaders across healthcare sectors. Analysis revealed three themes: trust and receptiveness, power and voice, and clinical-governance dynamics. These themes highlight that clinical governance is a contested space influenced by past relationships and governance dynamics.
Trust was found to be vital for fostering relationships, shaped by previous experiences. However, trust often eroded due to power imbalances and dissent in governance interactions. A critical tension emerged between clinical imperatives and governance objectives, creating opposition that hindered collaboration. Institutional practices, such as governance’s reliance on senior management for staff interactions, exacerbated this divide by limiting direct connections and understanding.
The study concludes that clinical and governance goals are divergent, sometimes obscuring patient-centred care. Addressing these tensions requires acknowledging differing motivations, re-evaluating the governance-management divide, and ensuring safe spaces for conflict resolution. Additionally, fostering trust through early interventions like appointing navigators during board formation could enhance relational dynamics.
Recommendations include integrating engagement strategies into government policies, requiring healthcare governance documents to highlight the importance of engagement, and addressing motivators within governance environments. Governance groups should prioritise conflict management and safe spaces, while navigators could help new boards navigate complexities.
These findings are intended to inform strategic planning, engagement guidelines, and training programs within New Zealand’s healthcare system. Sharing this knowledge with agencies such as the Health Quality and Safety Commission, Te Whatu Ora, and professional organisations could influence future governance and clinical leader training
Heal us, heal you: Applying an eco-centric lens to design
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can design address climate change-induced mental wellbeing impacts?
ABSTRACT
The issues of climate change and mental wellbeing may appear to be dissimilar and separate; however, they do converge. Both the impacts of climate change and mental wellbeing are most felt in urban environments, where the natural landscape has been heavily modified, reducing its capacity to function and, with this, causing a psychological impact on individuals’ mental wellbeing. This research set out to explore the relationship between these two issues and their relevance to design. The question posed is: How can design address climate change-induced mental wellbeing impacts? This research first investigates the existing discourse on the relationship between climate change and mental wellbeing, drawing from disciplines beyond design, such as psychology. Once this connection is established, an exploration of the drivers in design that contributed to this socio-ecological crisis is conducted. This research then posits an alternative model—eco-centrism— as a way forward to address the issue of climate change-induced mental wellbeing impacts. From eco-centrism, designing for the health and wellbeing of water is extrapolated; in doing so, designing for the health and wellbeing of all life. The research adopts a research-by-design methodology and utilises hand drawings as an exploratory technique to reach the final design. Social and ecological wellbeing data are collected and mapped to inform an appropriate sub-catchment to be examined for design—in this instance, located in Māngere. The sub-catchment was analysed at two scales: first, at the wider scale, to provide context and understand how water extends beyond the catchment, and then at the finer scale, zooming into the sub-catchment to examine water, the green network, and the land use patterns. From the issues identified with the site, three separate yet interconnected interventions are proposed. The first is the introduction of a new local wetland park to address the surrounding problems with flooding. The second is the enhancement of an existing park and stream system, and the third is a reimagination of our streets. This research concludes by reflecting on the relevance of such a design approach to achieve better socio-ecological outcomes and the practical necessities to get there
TCFD reporting quality: Carbon-sensitive vs. less carbon-sensitive sectors in New Zealand listed companies
No full textPURPOSE
The study explores the relationship between the quality of climate-related disclosures in carbon-sensitive and less carbon-sensitive sectors and examines how carbon emissions impact the quality of these disclosures, based on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting framework. Methodology – The sample consists of 36 companies in NZX 50 for a period of three years (2021-2023). Univariate and panel regression was employed to test the hypotheses of the study.
FINDINGS
The analysis results suggest that the carbon-sensitive sector produces higher-quality climate-related disclosures compared to the less carbon-sensitive sector. The findings also reveal a positive relationship between carbon emissions and the quality of these disclosures.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
The quality of climate-related disclosures has consistently increased from 2021 to 2023, significantly influenced by the introduction of New Zealand’s mandatory climate-related disclosure requirements in January 2023. This suggests that the carbon-sensitive sector is issuing comprehensive climate disclosures in line with TCFD recommendations, enabling primary stakeholders, especially investors interested in green investments, to make informed decisions. However, the less carbon-sensitive sector is still lagging, with some companies not disclosing any climate-related information
Capturing connections in busy lives: The 'drop off service' or authentic connections
No full textWith the accelerated pace of life in the 21st century, workplaces and education settings have witnessed changing social dynamics, alongside changes to ways in which relationships are built. With the nature of partnerships evolving, children’s learning, development and growth could be impacted. This shifting meaning of ‘relationships with people, places and things’ (Ministry of Education [MoE], 2017, p. 21) puts an extra strain on kaiako (teachers) teams across Aotearoa New Zealand and on Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers to prepare kaiako for the busy Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector. This article, written through the lens of the Pā Harakeke model, considers the importance of authentic relationships with parents and whānau. It explores the changing meaning of relationships and the ways of understanding such changes in early childhood contexts
Data compression for audio-based smart beekeeping
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS
• Question 1
How does FLAC compression impact the classification accuracy of different bee activities compared to uncompressed and MP3 compressed formats?
• Question 2
What are the storage and transmission efficiency gains achieved by using FLAC in beehive monitoring?
ABSTRACT
The research aimed to address the challenges associated with audio data compression in beehive monitoring by exploring the feasibility and effectiveness of using the Free Lossless Audio Codec compression format. The contribution is demonstrated by the efficacy of FLAC compression in reducing resource consumption without feature loss, thereby not compromising AI performance. The methodology involved using FLAC techniques for audio compression, extracting relevant acoustic features using Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients, and implementing Support Vector Machine models to classify and analyse hive conditions. The results demonstrated that Free Lossless Audio Codec outperformed MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 and uncompressed Waveform Audio File formats in maintaining the efficiency of audio signals and the integrity of critical acoustic features. These metrics include waveform characteristics, classifier accuracy, compression degree and speed, and transmission speed through the inclusion of multiple data sources. The findings highlight Free Lossless Audio Codec as an advantageous option for beehive monitoring systems. Despite the positive findings, the research has some limitations. The datasets used in the experiments may not encompass all possible beehive conditions and environmental variations. Additionally, the SVM models were implemented with specific parameters that may not generalize to all contexts. Further research is needed to assess the robustness of the findings across a broader range of conditions and to explore different machine learning approaches
An exploration of Pasifika multigenerational social housing
No full textThis research explores Pasifika multigenerational social housing, defined as the cohabitation of three or more generations. With nearly a quarter of the Pasifika population residing in such extended family situations, the study aims to scrutinize whether the current social housing infrastructure adequately meets their needs. The research, which employed a case study approach, focused on a Pasifika Community Housing provider working predominantly with Pasifika as a cohort and operating large numbers of social housing properties across Auckland. Document analysis and semi structured interviews with key stakeholders were the main data collection methods. The results suggest a significant misalignment between existing multigenerational housing structures and the actual needs of the Pasifika community. The interview data indicates that the current housing framework falls short of meeting the unique requirements of Pasifika households, hence necessitating a redesign of multigenerational housing to align with the diverse lifestyles and preferences of its occupants. The study highlights the inadequacy of a ‘one size fits all’ approach, emphasizing the need for tailor-made designs reflective of the communities residing in multigenerational housing. In conclusion, policymakers should consider a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to the design and implementation of Pasifika multigenerational housing solutions in New Zealand