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Current Team

M Pedersen Zari CV

Associate Professor Maibritt Pedersen Zari
PhD, BDes (IntAr)

Huri Te Ao Hoahoanga | School of Future Environments
Te Ara Auaha | Faculty Design and Creative Technologies
Te Wananga Aronui O Tamaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology
Aotearoa | New Zealand
maibritt.pedersen.zari@aut.ac.nz

Pedersen Zari is the Primary Investigator of the Marsden project NUWAO (Nature-based Urban design for Wellbeing and Adaptation in Oceania) and Principle Investigator in Aotearoa BiodiverCITY, part of the People, Cities and Nature research programme.

Dr Pedersen Zari’s research seeks to redefine sustainable architecture and urban design through mimicking ecosystems, changing the goals from sustainable to regenerative development, and integrating complex social factors into sustainable architectural design. Her current research explores how understanding ecosystem services can be used to define tangible ecology based metrics for sustainability assessment or design goals in the urban built environment with particular regard to how climate change and continued loss of global biodiversity will affect architecture and communities.

Sibyl Bloomfield
MLA, BDes (IntAr)

Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngai Te Rangi
Senior Lecturer, PhD Candidate
Huri Te Ao Hoahoanga | School of Future Environments
Te Ara Auaha | Faculty Design and Creative Technologies
Te Wananga Aronui O Tamaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology
Aotearoa | New Zealand
sibyl.bloomfield@aut.ac.nz

Tēna koutou katoa. He uri tenei nō Ngati Pakehā, Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto, me Ngai Te Rangi hoki. I tipu ake au I raro I te maru o Rangitoto. No Tāmaki ahau. Kei Kaipātiki ahau e noho ana i tēnei wa. Ko Sibyl Bloomfield tōku ingoa. He Kaihoahoa me Kaiako whenua au.

Sibyl is a Landscape Architect and Senior Lecturer at Huri Te Ao Hoahoanga – School of Future Environments, Auckland University of Technology, AUT – with over 10 years teaching experience in Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Her current research focus areas include: adaptive capacity building; weaving western and Indigenous knowledge; policy and planning; and ownership and inhabitation. Guided by mātauranga Māori, testing alternative ways of living, and through a shared process of learning, a new land-use agenda that incubates everyday forms of resilience, and a downshift mindset transcends the economic growth driven paradigm that is no longer adaptive and appropriate for the climate change wrung epoch: the Anthropocene.

Thesis: Regenerative Architecture: Carbon Sequestration and Habitat Provisioning through Building Design, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Supervisors: Maibritt Pedersen Zari and Nilesh Bakshi.

Abstract: As the world is becoming increasingly urbanised, there is a growing need to incorporate nature-based solutions into building design to minimise or offset the negative impacts. On the one hand, building-integrated vegetation and urban green spaces have the potential to sequester atmospheric carbon and store it in the above- and below-ground biomass. On the other hand, these same green spaces, if strategically vegetated, provide important habitats for a wide variety of species and can act as potential stepping stones which connect habitat patches and reduce fragmentation. This research is the first of its kind that integrates vegetation into architecture by emulating the natural ecosystem to create a built ecosystem that could generate quantifiable benefits of carbon sequestration (the process of actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere) and habitat provisioning (providing living space for plants and animal species). This research also provided a catalogue of strategies and analysed them in terms of how effective they are in reducing pressure on climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing. As an outcome of this research, a design framework known as CO2BIRD (Carbon sequestration and Biodiversity-Integrated Regenerative Design) was created that could be utilised by built environment professionals to strategically design for carbon sequestration and habitat provisioning.

Kamiya Varshney

PhD, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington School of Architecture.

Born in the vibrant and culturally rich land of India, I’ve cultivated a deep-rooted appreciation for the fusion of tradition and innovation. I have over 12 years of professional experience with multinational companies in project management, architecture, sustainability, and research and development, contributing to large-scale projects spanning commercial, institutional and residential developments.

With a passion for regenerative architecture and a drive to create innovative and eco-conscious built environments, I pursued a PhD in Architecture at the Wellington School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington. My research interest includes regenerative design to address climate change and biodiversity loss, climate-responsive architecture, biodiverse built environment, urban regeneration, ecosystem-based design, policy review, urban resilience and adaptation, and design for human wellbeing.

Publications

  • Varshney, K., Pedersen Zari, M., and Bakshi, N. (2022). Carbon Sequestration and Habitat Provisioning through Building-Integrated Vegetation: A Global Survey of Experts. Buildings 12, no. 9: 1458. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12091458.
  • Pedersen Zari, M., MacKinnon, M., Varshney, K., Bakshi, N. (2022). Regenerative living cities and the urban climate-biodiversity-wellbeing nexus. Nature Climate Change, 12, 601–604. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01390-w.
  • Varshney, K., Pedersen Zari, M., and Bakshi, N. (2022). Carbon sequestration through building-integrated vegetation. In: Brears R. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Futures. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51812-7_319-1.
  • Varshney, K., Pedersen Zari, M., and Bakshi, N. (2022). Habitat provisioning: A regenerative building design approach. In: Brears R. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Futures. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51812-7_320-1.
  • Varshney, K., Pedersen Zari, M., and Bakshi, N. (2022). Decarbonisation of the urban built environment through vegetation-based carbon sequestration. In CIB World Building Congress 2022; Melbourne, Australia, Institute of Physics Conference Series, IOP Publishing: Bristol, England, 2022. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1101/6/062025.
  • Varshney, K., Pedersen Zari, M., and Bakshi, N. (2020). The intersection of carbon sequestration and habitat provision in built environments: building rating tools comparison, in A. Ghaffarianhoseini, A. Ghaffarianhoseini and N. Nasmith (eds), Imaginable Futures: Design Thinking, and the Scientific Method, 54th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2020, 26-27 November 2020, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, pp. 1145-1154.
  • Varshney, K., Pedersen Zari, M., and Bakshi, N. (2020). Integrating ecosystem services with building rating tools: the need for Nature-based Solutions in architectural design. New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) 2020 Conference, Wellington, New Zealand. 25th to 27th November 2020.
  • Varshney, K., Shaw, F., and Pedersen Zari, M. (2022). Our cities need to capture carbon, not just offset it. Newsroom (ideasroom), Available: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/our-cities-need-to-get-greener-quicker.
  • Varshney, K., Shaw, F., and Pedersen Zari, M. (2022). We need to capture carbon, not just offset it. NZ Greypower magazine March 2022, page 12.
  • Varshney, K., Shaw, F., and Pedersen Zari, M. (2021). Buildings that capture carbon and support biodiversity. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation (News), Available: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/wfadi/about/news/buildings-that-capture-carbon-and-support-biodiversity.

Awards

  • Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology (CBRE) grant for attending the CIB World Building Congress 2022 conference held in Melbourne, Australia.
  • Wellington Doctoral Scholarship from Victoria University of Wellington (2021-2023).

Thesis Working Title: ‘Plants of Place’ – (Re)Planting our natural heritage in urban Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Supervisors: Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Ocean Mercier, and Joanna Meerwood-Salisbury.

Abstract: Climate change has led to urgent calls for environmental action and justice, which is likely to include increased urban vegetation. The benefits of this planting could go beyond ecological and climate benefits to contribute to decolonisation and environmental and spatial justice and build on the well-documented links between ecological and human wellbeing. In Aotearoa New Zealand, past and ongoing injustices resulting from colonisation have disconnected Māori (the Indigenous people) from their land. Māori see themselves reflected in the landscape and te taiao (the natural world). The process of colonisation has mostly erased natural heritage, intrinsic to Māori identity, from urban areas. Many plants in urban areas represent colonial identity rather than this natural heritage, and many of the native plants that have been planted originate from other parts of the country. This research seeks to determine the benefits of prioritising plants that naturally occurred in an area in the past, termed here ‘plants of place’, in public places. In settler colonial countries, where it is an accepted practice to acknowledge built and predominantly colonial heritage, making pre-colonial natural heritage visible can have many co-benefits. It has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, decolonisation efforts, spatial justice and environmental justice. Celebrating natural heritage and planting ‘plants of place’ can contribute in some part to righting past injustices and preparing for a changing future. 

Maria Rodgers

PhD Candidate Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington School of Architecture.

Maria is teaching fellow in landscape architecture at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Her research examines the benefits of prioritising plants that naturally occurred in an area in the past in urban public places in Aotearoa New Zealand.  She is particularly interested in the significance of plants for Māori and other Indigenous Peoples, planting design, natural heritage, urban design and cultural landscapes. She continues to teach studio and lecture courses in the landscape programme at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. 

Publications

Thesis Research Question: How can we create flood-resilient designs that adapt to changes in the built environment and how does this affect living organisms?
Supervisors: Sibyl Bloomfield, Maibritt Pedersen Zari.

Kimeshan Naidoo

Master of Architecture Candidate
Auckland University of Technology

This research analyses modern flood design practices for buildings amidst escalating climate-related risks, focusing on adapting to floods in coastal and inland areas. It examines current methodologies, regulatory standards, and technological advancements to enhance building resilience against floods. Additionally, it explores the feasibility of implementing these strategies in urban development, considering cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and community involvement. Ultimately, the goal is to advance flood risk management and inform decisions for creating resilient built environments in flood-prone regions. 

Thesis Working Title: Medium-density architecture for biodiversity
Supervisors: Maibritt Pedersen Zari and Sibyl Bloomfield.
Scholarship: From People, Cities, Nature Project

Abstract:

Robyn Kay Du Preez

Studying towards a Master of Architecture (professional), Auckland University of Technology.

The aim of this project is to explore how medium-density architecture and associated ecological infrastructure can mitigate biodiversity loss and support its health in this fast-changing climate, while also enhancing the symbiotic relationship between human and non-human species. This ensures that we are bettering the ecological relationships that are needed for a biodiverse future and human survival, as part of ecosystem services theory, and draws upon biophilic design ideas to increase human wellbeing by working with human-nature relationships.

Awards

  • Aotearoa BiodiverCITY scholarship student 2024.

Thesis Research question: How can the implementation of regenerative strategies and systems benefit Kiribati in terms of health and well-being?
Supervisors: Sibyl Bloomfield and Maibritt Pedersen Zari

Abstract:

Danielle Nawisielski

Studying towards a Master of Architecture (professional), Auckland University of Technology.

Kia Ora, my name is Danielle. I am currently studying towards my Master of Architecture (professional). I was born and raised in Auckland with my twin sister. Since I was in primary school I always wanted to be an architect as something about buildings and the design of buildings always fascinated me. I am personally interested in the idea of relationships in architecture, whether it is a relationship between the built environment and the natural environment or between humans and the built environment.

Thesis Research question: How can past vernacular Oceania and Asian Architecture in an Urban Environment Support Displaced Communities and Future Environments? 
Supervisors: Sibyl Bloomfield and Maibritt Pedersen Zari

Abstract:

Kenji Goyon

Studying towards a Master of Architecture (professional), Auckland University of Technology.

This research applies a modern take of vernacular architecture to the Aotearoa Context through the Tamaki regeneration project for future generations of refugees who fled their homelands due to overpopulation and climate change. It explores past existing methods of Asian and Oceania vernacular design strategies in an urban environment development whilst enhancing the human experience and providing services to welcome people and further enhance the family experience.

Thesis research question: how can designing housing through a cultural lens improve the continuation of authentic cultural identity?
Supervisors: Sibyl Bloomfield and Maibritt Pedersen Zari

Abstract:

Alfa Lui

Studying towards a Master of Architecture (professional), Auckland University of Technology.

I am Alfa Lui, an Aotearoa-born Samoan 5th Year Master of Architecture Student. I have always enjoyed drawing and designing inventions when I was younger, I used to play a lot in my backyard where I had a bunch of bamboo growing, so I was cutting and lashing pieces together with rope which helped strengthen my love for creating things and using my imagination. I feel like my environment moulded who I am today and now I plan to move forward with my Architectural Career using my own experiences to drive the need for contemporary indigenous residential architecture.

This year I am focusing on the impacts that westernised housing solutions have had on the cultural identity of Samoans, and how we can design moving forward taking on authentic Samoan Cultural design strategies and influences. The lifestyles and customs of Samoans are very unique and different compared to those supported by westernised housing solutions and that has led to loss of language and loss of identity. Being an Aotearoa-born Samoan, I want to help my people as much as I can, as I too am going through my own cultural identity journey.

Thesis Topic: Adapting South Tarawa to Climate Change: How can Nature-based Solutions and climate adaptation enhance the sovereignty and wellbeing of South Tarawa?
Supervisors: Maibritt Pedersen Zari and Sibyl Bloomfield

Abstract:

Kasia Harris

Studying towards a Master of Architecture (professional), Auckland University of Technology.

The low-lying Atoll of Tarawa, Kiribati is facing several wicked problems. Population density is at a peak which puts strain on food, water and housing alongside the climatic issue of the rising sea. The research and design work being carried out aims to pose a resolution to these issues by implementing Nature-based solutions with an understanding of the culture, environment and isolation of the Tarawa Atoll.

Thesis Working Title: Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation and wellbeing in Vanuatu, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Supervisors: Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Luke Kiddle, and Victoria Chanse.

Willy Missack

PhD Candidate Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington School of Architecture.

Willy Missack will be working towards his PhD at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. He was the Vanuatu Climate Action Network (VCAN) coordinator and Pacific Climate Change Collaboration Influence Learning (PACCCIL) Project Coordinator at Oxfam, Vanuatu and Vanuatu’s Negotiator on Adaptation and Loss and Damage since COP23. He is engaged in many climate change work in Vanuatu; and was first awarded youth of Vanuatu by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 with a Queen Young Leaders’ Award for its service to the Vanuatu community. At the regional level, he is serving as the Oceania Regional Coordinator for Conference Of Youth (COY16) and the One Young World (OYW) Coordinating Ambassador of the Pacific.

Publications:

  • 2021, Kiddle, G.L., Bakineti, T., Latai-Niusulu, A., Missack, W., Pedersen Zari, M., Kiddle, R., Chanse, V., Blaschke, P., Loubser, D. ‘Nature-based solutions for urban climate change adaptation and wellbeing: Evidence and opportunities from Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu’. Frontiers in Environmental Science, Special Issue: Nature-based Solutions for Natural Hazards and Climate Change. Vol. 9, No. 723166. Online.

Awards

  • NUWAO PhD Scholarship Student 2022 – 2024.

Thesis Working Title: Buildings as living (eco)systems – A three-fold approach for weaving ecosystem services into building development practice, Utrecht University, Netherlands.
Supervisors: Jaco, Han, Maibritt Pedersen Zari.

Abstract: Increasing societal challenges related to human health and well-being result from a disturbed functioning of biological ecosystems. To counteract and restore ecosystems, buildings and whole cities have to function as living systems that generate ecosystem services. This research project seeks to weave the ecological concept of ecosystem services into building planning practice through workshops with built environment professionals. The intention is to develop a goal-oriented methodology for ecosystem services integration into buildings that can be turned into a visualized decision-support system with underlying databases. To quantify generated benefits of sustainable building design empirical data collection was conducted on the example of vertical greenery systems.

Katharina Hecht

PhD Candidate Utrecht University, Netherlands
Department of Biology

Katharina Hecht works on the integration of ecosystem services into buildings. With a Master’s degree in Bio-Inspired Innovation and a background in ecological impact assessment, she is interested in the benefits that regenerative building design can have by quantifying ecosystem services. Through workshops that seek to better link science and industrial practice, she supports building developers in sustainable decision-making towards ecological functionality.

Her doctoral research project at Utrecht University is a collaboration between the Department of Biology and the directorate of Real Estate and Campus. Maibritt Pedersen Zari became her co-promoter from Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand as a result from a previous research project under Pedersen Zari’s supervision in 2018. For the ecological research part, Katharina also collaborates with bioSEA company and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Publications

Thesis Working Title: Architecture of the Papakāinga, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Supervisors: Derek Kawiti and Maibritt Pedersen Zari.

Kahurangi Yakas

Ngāti Kaharau, Ngāti Hau
Studying towards a Master of Architecture (professional), Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.

Kia Ora, my name is Kahurangi. I’m a small-town boy from the far north. I grew up in Kaikohe and made the move to Wellington to pursue a career in Architecture. I love my culture, outdoors, whānau and my people.  I am currently in the final year of my masters in architecture. I plan to base my research around a self-sustaining papakāinga particularly in Ōmanaia where I am from. I am ambitious and keen to make a change to the world we live in through architecture.

Awards

  • NUWAO Masters Scholarship Student 2023.