Aboriginal housing in remote Australia : an architectural thesis

Abstract

A notable deficiency has existed in the body of socio-architectural research in Australia. Very little work had been completed which addresses the complex field of Aboriginal housing in remote Australia from an architectural point of view. This thesis attempts to help fill this gap, through a broad study of theoretical and practical research on this and allied fields. No guidelines have been previously prepared which have successfully aided architects in the design of Aboriginal housing. This thesis attempts to satisfy this deficiency also. Chapter One provides a base for all following discussion by placing the subject of non-urban Aboriginal housing in several contexts. Most significantly this chapter develops through traditional Aboriginal culture to a Model of the cultural gap. This Model is then used in Chapter Two with theoretical discussion on transition stress to develop a Model of transition stress in Aboriginal housing. Chapter Two also examines architectural involvement in this field. Thus Chapter Two builds a theoretical framework covering design variables in Aboriginal housing. Chapters Three and Four comprehensively test this theoretical framework through examination of practical research on specific Aboriginal settlements. Chapter Three’s case studies are brief and varied, presenting a wide view of transition problems and architectural difficulties found in a range of Aboriginal settlements. Chapter Four examines one settlement specifically, this being Mornington Island, as a final exhaustive test of the theoretical findings of Chapter Two. Chapter Five summarises the conclusions of earlier chapters to arrive at a final conclusion for this thesis. Show more