Inside Out - The role of Interior Architects in providing opportunities for social and cultural development in the urban interior.

Porirua is tucked alongside a beautiful harbour and a rugged coastline. The city offers natural beauty and peaceful surroundings which are matched with a vibrant culture and the youngest demographic in the country. Unfortunately, the cultural diversity is not represented in the architecture of the city, the harbour is polluted and underutilised. Porirua Harbour is not incorporated in the city’s urban design which has led to it being overlooked. This thesis proposes interventions to revitalise the harbour, focusing on bringing people back to the neglected area and expanding social engagement. The proposition highlights the role of Interior Designers in the urban landscape of Porirua and aims to uncover the rich history of the city. Urban Interior techniques and strategies are explored in an attempt to celebrate the local history and empower communities through design. The historical narrative acknowledges the importance of past events and their impact on communities in Porirua and aims to redesign for the future. The interior as a site has offered many opportunities for artists and designers to challenge how we inhabit and change architecture.Research involved consideration into urban interior spaces and sensorial qualities, to create a spatial experience that connects people with the past whilst addressing a contemporary setting.