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By William Van Zyl (Published 30 August 2023)
*Credit cover image: Toa Architects (NZ). Taumata o Kupe
What type of unique building, house, landmark, chapel, church, marae, or shade space would you design to reflect and represent your worldview? I am referring to symbolism-related shapes, forms, patterns, and colours.
What would be the main shapes and forms you will use to convey your worldview in a building?
It is a challenging question. Personally, I will include some contemporary Christian symbols like the cross, shapes and forms of the Tabernacle of Moses (altar, sensor, table of showbread, golden lampstand, Ark of the Covenant, manna, cherubs, ten commandments, and the rod of Aaron).
Converting these shapes and forms into contemporary architecture would be quite challenging. However, a very rewarding exercise. The contrast between Light and Darkness is also a concept that I could use in a Christian context.
The Bosjes Chapel in South Africa by Steyn Studio is a great architectural landmark for Western and Christian worldview-inspired architecture. See the image below.
Bosjes Chapel. Steyn Studio | Witzenberg, South Africa. Credit: https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/designs-of-the-decade-best-religious-architecture/
Construction of the chapel. Credit: Steyn Studio.
Bosjes Chapel – interior view. Credit: Steyn Studio.
Table of Contents
2019: More about the Bosjes Chapel in South Africa.
Although not adopting a polygonal structure, the Bosjes Chapel’s design maintains a profound sense of minimalism and openness. The chapel’s roof gracefully undulates, mirroring the valleys and summits of the encircling mountains. The delicate concrete roof shells extend downwards to merge seamlessly with the parabolic configuration of the structural framework.
Continuing its mission, the design seeks to forge a contemplative chamber that harmonises visitors with the encompassing natural landscape, offering an encounter with God’s (Jehovah’s) creation.
This aspiration is achieved through a design that emulates the organic world, complemented by generous apertures that facilitate unobstructed visual engagement from all directions (Steyn Studios approach).
This article will now focus on a Māori Worldview and Māori architecture.
What is your worldview?
What would you use in your contemporary worldview-inspired building? Think about a unique building, a house, a landmark, a building of significance, a shaded space, a marae, a church, a museum, and more.
Māori Worldview:
The Māori worldview is rooted in their connection to nature and ancestors. It emphasises concepts like mana (spiritual power), whakapapa (genealogy), and kaitiakitanga (stewardship of the land). Māori art often reflects these beliefs, such as the contemporary sculpture “Te Tuhirangi Contour” by Ralph Hotere, which uses abstract forms to symbolise ancestral connections and spiritual energy in the landscape.
Why not considering writing down your your worldview?
You could reflect on what your worldview in detail, or just an overview. Jot it down on paper. For example, I believe in Science. OR I believe in justice and equity for all. Can you think of anything else? If you are Maori or Pasifika – it could be whanau and culture. You don’t have to share. I know it is personal. Why not practice writing your worldview in a non-personal way, so others can read it?
What you could consider when writing or thinking about your worldview:
Reflect on your beliefs, values, and experiences to write your worldview. Consider your perspective on key aspects of life, such as the nature of reality, the purpose of existence, morality, and the human condition. Document your thoughts and experiences, and be open to evolving and refining your worldview as you learn and grow. Your worldview is a personal philosophy that guides your decisions and perceptions of the world.
Here is an example of a worldview:
“I believe that life’s purpose is to find happiness and fulfilment through personal growth and positive relationships. I see the world as inherently interconnected and value empathy, kindness, and environmental stewardship.” John Denver
John Denver’s above worldview simplified:
“I think the point of life is to be happy by growing and having good relationships. I see everything in the world as connected and care about being kind, understanding, and caring for the environment.” John Denver
New Curriculum in New Zealand.
The new NCEA Level 1 curriculum (Design and Visual Communication) in New Zealand includes a Māori approach to conceptual spatial design. One popular brief is to design a shaded park or school grounds space. Such a brief will prompt students to research and investigate modern and contemporary Māori-inspired buildings. See the excellent work of Aotearoa’s architects: TOA.
TOA Architects in New Zealand – Māori-inspired approach.
TOA architects have a uniquely different approach to their design work. Visit their website to see their creative and innovative work.
‘TOA approaches architecture differently. We value the Tangata – People; Whenua – our Land and its history; Aroha – Heart; and Wairua – Spirit. These are the concepts that inspire our architecture. TOA takes its role seriously as Kaitiaki – Guardians of our clients’ and communities’ projects and the wider environment (From the TOA Architects website).’
TE TAUMATA O KUPE (Credit:TOA Arhitects). The inspiration for Taumata o Kupe originated from Korero about the need for a forum to communicate orally rather than written Māori histories. This would be a place where people could recite and receive mātauranga Māori, particularly that associated with Kupe, the legendary Polynesian navigator and explorer acknowledged by some iwi as the discoverer of Aotearoa. Credit: TOA Architects (Aotearoa).
Taumata o Kupe on Te Mahurehure Marae in Point Chevalier (New Zealand). The stories, experiences and learnings of ngā haerenga, the journeys across sea and land in ancestral and more recent times, are an important part of mātauranga Māori. Taumata o Kupe on Te Mahurehure Marae in Point Chevalier, Tāmaki Makaurau, is dedicated to the sharing of mātauranga Māori and embodying the epic journeys of Māori ancestors across the Pacific and within Aotearoa. Credit: TOA Architects (Aotearoa).
Link to TOA Architects from New Zealand: https://toa.net.nz/
Keywords:
Māori Worldview
Architectural design
Indigenous New Zealand culture
Spiritual connection
Cultural dimensions
Environmental harmony
Ancestral lineage
Mana
Tapu and Noa
Wharenui
Whakairo
Marakihau
Interconnectedness
Cultural references
TOA Architects
TOA Architects
Bosjes Chapel (South Africa)
NCEA Level 1 DVC
design and visual communication
Taumata o Kupe
Christian Worldview
Western Worldview
Introduction to the Maori worldview:
The Māori worldview, deeply rooted in indigenous New Zealand culture, shapes how architectural design is conceptualised, executed, and experienced. It is a holistic perspective that interweaves spiritual, cultural, and environmental dimensions, resulting in architecture that reflects the Māori connection to the land, ancestors, and the spiritual realm.
The Rauora Model:
The Rauora model depicts a worldview indigenous to Aotearoa; it centralises interconnection, collectivity, holistic well-being and intergenerational equity within a changing environmental dynamic. That changeable future is understood by first positioning the human existence within a sacredly interconnected world: within the mana of the ancient world, within the mana of the land, within the mana of the environment and within the mana of the whakapapa collective. Interconnection and collectivity are underpinned by indigenous knowledge, transmitted inter-generationally, relating to whakapapa, tapu and oranga. Decisions and leadership are contained within the collective and focus on inclusivity, equity and sustainability. Rangatiratanga is subject to the ongoing will and well-being of the community as a whole and is actively measured and accountable, in real-time, to the collective, utilising a range of indigenous traditional indicators relating to wellbeing, balance, social cohesion and species management.
Early Māori buildings
In New Zealand, these Māori buildings were semi-permanent, as people moved around looking for food sources. Houses had wooden frames covered in reeds or leaves, with mats on earth floors. To help people keep warm, houses were small, with low doors, earth insulation and a fire inside.
They slept in rectangular wharepuni (sleeping houses) made of timber, rushes, tree ferns and bark, with a thatched roof and earth floors. Other traditional buildings included pātaka (storehouses), kāuta (cooking houses) and wharenui (meeting houses).
Maketu house at Otawhao was built by Puatia, to commemorate the taking of Maketu. [1844]. Shows a carved meeting house, called a wharepuni or wharenui , Māori, New Zealand, 1844. Public domain. Credit: https://picryl.com/media/wharenui-fec311
Māori Worldview:
The Māori worldview is characterised by the following key principles:
- Whakapapa (Genealogy):
- Whakapapa, the concept of genealogy, underscores the interconnectedness of all living beings, humans, and the environment. It emphasises the ancestral lineage that ties people to the land and each other.
- Mana (Spiritual Power):
- Mana represents spiritual authority and power, embodied in both people and natural entities. The landscape, rivers, mountains, and even buildings hold mana, contributing to the profound spiritual connection between the physical and metaphysical realms.
- Tapu and Noa (Sacred and Common):
- The concepts of tapu (sacred) and noa (common) govern Māori interactions with people, objects, and places. This influences architectural design by dictating structures’ placement, orientation, and adornment to respect the tapu of certain areas and maintain harmony with the environment.
Image: Te ao Māori explains the natural order of things or our place in the world.
It acknowledges the relationship between our natural environment and people and our deep dependence on the environment for well-being and prosperity. Link: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/auckland-plan/environment-cultural-heritage/Pages/direction-apply-Māori-world-view-treasure-protect.aspx Credit: Auckland Council, NZ
Architectural Design in the Māori Context:
Māori architectural design reflects the values and principles of the Māori worldview. Here they are:
Wharenui (Meeting Houses):
- Wharenui embodies the Māori worldview through their design, carvings, and intricate patterns. These structures serve as communal gatherings, storytelling, and spiritual connection spaces. Carvings on the wharenui depict ancestral narratives, visually reinforcing the importance of Whakapapa.Whakairo (Carvings).
Whakapapa.Whakairo (Carvings):
- Architectural elements like carvings and woven panels incorporate whakapapa and mana, encapsulating the spiritual essence of both the land and the people. Carvings are often used as symbolic representations of ancestors and cultural stories.
Marakihau (Ornamentation):
- Ornamentation in Māori architecture, often featuring koru (spirals) and other patterns, reflects the organic forms found in nature. These patterns pay homage to the interconnectedness of life and the spiritual significance of natural elements.
References:
Walker, R. (1990). Ka whawhai tonu mātou: Struggle without end. Penguin Books.
Rameka, T., & McManus, M. (2008). Indigenous Worldviews, Knowledge Systems and Sustainability. In Indigenous Knowledge and Ethics (pp. 133-147). Springer.
Kāinga Tahi, Kāinga Rua – Housing our future. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.beaconpathway.co.nz/our-research/research-projects/kainga-tahi-kainga-rua-housing-our-future
Whare Tapawha Cultural Health Model. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/Māori-health/Māori-health-models/whare-tapa-wha-cultural-health-model
Cite this article:
Van Zyl, W. (2023). Māori Worldview and Architectural Design (Article). Published to Five House Publishing. Link: https://fivehousepublishing.com/2023/08/29/maori-worldview-and-architectural-design/
Interested in more Māori resources on architecture, food, fashion, furniture, tools, worldview, AI, and more?
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Here are some examples of the many articles and resources available: Māori context (metalwork, woodwork, furniture, food, tools, worldview, placenta, AI, Modernist architecture [Le Corbusier – Villla Savoye and others], and much more).
Copyright © 2023 by William Van Zyl
Māori Worldview and Architectural Design.
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Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)
First Publishing, August 2023
More eBooks and articles are available at https://fivehousepublishing.com/
More about the author at http://williamvanzyl.com/
