Genevieve Walshe

Victoria University of Wellington

This week SANNZ talks to Genevieve Walshe who is exploring how cohousing can be translated into an urban context for Wellington. Coming from a rural community has significantly influenced Gen’s perceptions of space and access to the outdoors. Read on to find out about her experience as an intern, where she hopes to be in two years time and the idea of ‘what is in common’. 

Student Architecture Network New Zealand: In 20 words, what is your thesis about?
Genevieve: My thesis is exploring how two Viennese cohousing precedents, Sargfabrik and Miss Sargfabrik, can be translated for a Wellington urban context.

SANNZ: Who is your supervisor and why did you choose to work with him/her?
Genevieve:  My supervisor is Mark Southcombe, and I decided to work with him as his architectural focus is also on cohousing, medium density housing, sustainability and affordability. Mark also completed a research sabbatical last year in Europe, where he research and analysed various cohousing models, including Sargfabrik and Miss Sargfabrik.

SANNZ: When you started your Masters just over a year ago at the start of fourth year, did you think your thesis would take this direction?
Genevieve: No, although my field of research has remained the same, I had not previously considered the importance of issues including privacy modulation, density and the idea of ‘what is in common’. This development came about through literature review, on cohousing and opportunities for social interaction.

SANNZ: Do you feel that architecture school has prepared you for the realities of working in the industry?
Genevieve:  I completed an internship in Auckland over the summer, and quickly realised that although I have learnt valuable design skills through architecture school, I felt that I was not well prepared for the documentation required for resource and building consent drawings. However, I acknowledge that this is something that I will learn by doing in practice.

SANNZ: That’s really interesting. So the big question I’m sure everyone has been asking you; what are your plans for next year?
Genevieve: Next year I plan to move back to Palmerston North, and work in an architectural practice. This will allow me to save money in order to travel overseas in 2019, where I plan to live and work as an architect in Europe for a few years.

SANNZ: So Palmy is where you are from? What’s the built environment like there?
Genevieve: I am from a really small town called Hunterville, near Palmerston North, in the central north island, which has a population of 400 people. I grew up on a farm, and I really do believe that this has influenced the way that I look at and design architecture, regarding perception of space and access to the outdoors.

SANNZ: Do you work while studying? Is find the balance difficult?
Genevieve: Yes I do, I work one day a week in a retail job which I find to be a nice break from architecture school. It is nice to be able to have a break, where you really can’t think about university work.

SANNZ: What music or artist has helped you get through architecture school?
Genevieve: ODESZA has definitely been on repeat during the hard times at architecture school, when i’m sick of everything else, that always what I choose.

SANNZ: You’re only about a third of the way through your Thesis but what will you miss the most about architecture school when you leave
Genevieve: I’m really enjoying the studio environment in thesis year, so I’ll definitely miss that! I hadn’t really realised how many good friends I have made through this degree, until I started thinking about it all wrapping up so soon… cheesy I know!