Research
As a senior in High School, I have been working on an independent research project over the last two years, investigating the role of contemporary architects in preserving Indigenous culture and the climate. The culmination of my research will be released in the spring of 2025 in an extensive synthesis paper
A Few Questions Driving My Research at the Moment
How do government policies across different regions support or hinder architects in advancing anthropological and sustainable design, particularly in the preservation of Indigenous cultural and environmental heritage?
Governments play a crucial role in shaping architectural practices through zoning laws, funding initiatives, and preservation mandates. For example, in New Zealand, policies like the Resource Management Act prioritize the integration of Māori cultural principles in design, while in contrast, some regions face challenges where rapid urbanization overrides Indigenous land rights. This question explores how these policies influence architects' ability to bridge sustainability and cultural preservation globally.
How can architectural practices reconcile the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage with the demands of modern urban development in a rapidly globalizing world?
With 68% of the world’s population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, the pressure on land and resources intensifies. This question investigates how architects can innovate to blend traditional design principles with urban needs, as seen in projects like the Kengo Kuma-designed Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, which incorporates traditional Japanese aesthetics into a modern structure. It aims to uncover strategies for balancing cultural integrity and urbanization.
What role do architects play as mediators between local ecological knowledge and global sustainability standards in the context of preserving Indigenous landscapes?
Architects often find themselves at the intersection of ancient ecological wisdom and modern sustainability frameworks like LEED or the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, in Indigenous regions of Australia, architectural practices incorporate traditional knowledge of land management, such as controlled burning, to inform sustainable building techniques. This question seeks to highlight architects' potential as cultural and environmental translators on a global scale.
