Negotiating the Slope: Prefabricated Hillside Dwellings Meet Nordic Influence

In Wellington we are faced with the difficult task of building on our undulating topography. It does however offer inhabitants stunning vistas and to architects the rare opportunity to explore new ways of building, generating distinctive typologies. However, it is questionable whether a bespoke construction method is the most appropriate means for building houses on hillsides in present times. Prefabrication has been a prevalent housing construction method in Scandinavia and for many years and offers a number of advantages, particularly to difficult sites (Smith 255). It is emerging as an option for housing in New Zealand but faces significant problems when confronted with sloped topography (Rouillard 137). The prefabrication movement has become synonymous with the stylistic outcome of modernist detached dwellings, and while this marriage may be an outgrowth of intention rather than a technical requirement, challenging the rectilinear is relatively unheard of (Smith 251). The stylistic concerns embedded by fanciers of 50’s modernism are inherent to the representation of manufactured housing (Smith 251). For prefabrication to become popular in present day society misconceptions regarding stylistic limitations must be resolved. Residential architecture has the potential to shape our architectural identity more significantly than civic buildings. I propose this because we form a closer relationship to ‘home,’ and as a typology they cover a significant proportion of our landscape. To understand how to form an architectural response in the context of Wellington, I looked to contemporary Norwegian architecture which demonstrates contextualising architecture to the landscape. The stylistic character of Norwegian design, and parallels which made their principles applicable to New Zealand, were additional incentives for this focus. This thesis is broken into four parts; background research, design explorations, design discussions and conclusion. In background research, I establish parameters for constructing houses on hill sites. Technical limitations are presented and a range of hillside typologies are identified. Prefabricated systems internationally offered are documented accompanied by the technologies available specifically in New Zealand. The design exploration section illustrates two designs which explore how a hillside typology can be augmented with a prefabricated system. Each is assessed in relation to response to topography and adaptation of Norwegian ideologies. The design discussion revolves around a hillside development of five residential structures and their interconnectivity. Leading into the discussion is a detailed analysis of the prefabrication system implemented, and the modifications to that system which were tested through design. Here, the construction sequence is mapped. This is followed by an architectural discussion on site, access, planning and materials. The conclusions drawn in the final section tie together all these elements.