BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD Journey to a better place Praneel Kumar ID 1425171 Principal Supervisor: Christoph Schnoor Associate Supervisor: Jeanette Budgett A Research Project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional) Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand 2020 Word Count: 16164 0 Abstract “Beyond the Battlefield” is a project intended to improve the lives of the veterans in Fiji. It is an exploration of the issues they face adjusting back to society. The transition from warzone to civilian life can be daunting, and the consequences are reflected later in their lifestyle. This project emphasises combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder as an integral problem which requires immediate attention and provides a proposition of a non-institutionalised rehabilitation facility, which aims to help the veterans readjust into the civilian lifestyle. The approach of this project begins with a directed study of the problem of combat-related PTSD, the causes and the treatments which are currently available. A series of relevant precedent studies have been explored and analysed to determine a functional design strategy. Pursuing this further, the traditional architecture of Fiji is used as a model; therefore the vernacular architecture, the historical canoes and traditional healing methods are investigated. Analysis through drawings and diagrams as methods of testing the theoretical claims from the previous researches and precedents provides a starting point for the design suggestion. The architectural elements that show prospective design drivers have been extracted and integrated into the design of the rehabilitation facility. This project intends to articulate a design that complements the local architectural context of this project, creating the spirit of a nurturing environment for the occupants of the facility. 1 2 Acknowledgements I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following individuals who have contributed to the success of this research project. My sincere gratitude to my supervisors Dr Christoph Schnoor and Jeanette Budgett, for their guidance and critical analysis of my work which made this project possible. Special thanks to my wife Priyagni Ben Kumar for her encouragement and support over the years; my mother Mrs Roshni Lata and my father late Mr Pardeep Kumar; my brothers Parnesh Kumar and Family; and Prashneel Kumar for being a motivation of this project. Thanking my friends, Shableet, John, Epeneri & Taylor for their support. 3 Contents Combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 22 Design for Treatment of PTSD 22 Threshold and transition between 22 Abstract 1 different spaces Acknowledgement 3 Companionship and brotherhood 23 translated into therapeutical tools 1.0 Introduction 7 Nature and a Healing Environment 24 Project background 8 3.0 Precedents 25 Project outline 8 Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) 26 Aims and objectives 8 SOCSO (Social Security Organization) Rehabilitation 29 Research question 9 Centre Scope and limitations 10 Rehabilitation Centre Groot Klimmendaal 32 Method 10 Critical Analysis 34 2.0 Context 11 Summary of findings from precedent study 35 Veterans 12 4.0 Literature 37 Financial problems 13 The Republic of Fiji 39 Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 13 Climate 39 Fijian Warfare and Military History in the light of care 16 Population 39 for the veterans People 39 Republic of Fiji Military Forces, current organisation 18 and structure Traditional Architecture 40 Republic of Fiji Navy 19 Bure 40 History of Peacekeeping Mission 20 Itaukei Canoe House 43 Current Disposition of Troops (2020) 20 Itaukei Canoe 43 Traditional Healing 45 4 Yagona drinking 45 Residence 79 Summary of findings from traditional 47 Kava Pavilion 84 Itaukei elements 6.0 Conclusion 87 5.0 Design 49 7.0 Final Design 91 Design Process 50 8.0 Bibliography 103 Site Selection Considerations 50 9.0 List of figures 107 Site Selection 53 Programme 54 Design Brief 55 Site general 55 Facilities Building 55 Rehabilitation Building 55 Residence 55 Kava Pavilion 55 Design Concept Exploration 56 Design Response 60 Bringing together Site, Programme 61 and Concept The Buildings 64 Final Layout 68 The Facilities and Rehabilitation 68 Buildings Layout, materials and construction 72 Tectonic approach of the design 74 5 6 1.0 Introduction 7 Project background Project outline The Republic of Fiji, with a population of just over 884,887, is under This project is a rehabilitation facility for the soldiers and veterans of the continuous pressure to cope with the technological advancement to provide Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and the Republic of Fiji Navy security to its own nation and joint efforts with other countries around the (RFN). The project is situated in the city of Suva, in the Republic of Fiji. world. The current number of soldiers serving the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is 3,823.1 The current number of soldiers serving on peacekeeping around the world is 485.2 Soldiers currently on duty will be returning home at the end of their service. Once again, they will be expected to disperse into Aims and objectives society and live everyday life. However, it is a challenge for these soldiers on In the context of Fiji, recognition of PTSD amongst the veterans and soldiers how they accept this transition. is yet to be verified. For this reason, this project aims to introduce the This project emerges from the consequences of war and its long-lasting problem of PTSD and create awareness amongst the general public of Fiji. effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and associated financial The architectural design response of this project creates a visual awareness problems on the lives of the soldiers who are directly involved in a war through literature, drawings and illustrations which intends to seek greater conflict. It is a global concern as more soldiers are displaying symptoms of public attention and government response. The facility is to be a non- mental health issues after returning home from deployment.3 institutionalised rehabilitation centre. The project focus is on the welfare of veterans and soldiers with an The objective of this research project is to pursue the chances of making architectural intervention such as a rehabilitation facility. treatments available for the veterans and soldiers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and officers of the Republic of Fiji Navy. 1 “Employment Statistics,” Fiji Bureau of Statistics, accessed October 25, 2020, https://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/index.php/statistics/social-statistics/employment-statistics44. 2 “Fiji Peacekeeping Mission,” The Republic of Fiji Military Forces, accessed October 25, 2020, https://www.rfmf.mil.fj/fiji-peacekeeping-mission/. 3 “How Common Is PTSD in Veterans?,” National Center for PTSD, accessed October 24, 2020, https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp. 8 Research Question How can architecture respond to the needs of veterans of the Republic of Fiji military forces to reintegrate them back into the society? 9 Scope and limitations Methods This project is limited to the research into the current state of knowledge of The project intends to gain an understanding of the problem of combat- combat-related PTSD and its treatment. It explores previous research related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its causes and its effects on findings and provides a proposition of a rehabilitation facility according to veterans and current soldiers. Firstly, the research conducts several studies of the requirements highlighted by those findings. The project does not intend literature and previous researches to validate the existence of PTSD in the to propose new treatment methods as this falls beyond the scope of a project military on the global stage and in Fiji. Secondly, all information gathered is within the architectural discipline. The approach taken to pursue this project further verified through direct access to the websites of organisations such as involves very minimum correspondence with people. Personal interviews the RFMF, Fiji Bureau of Statistics and the Veterans Affairs. with veterans and victims of PTSD were avoided as it was considered An analysis of the information is done through drawings and illustrations. inappropriate. It is believed if such a step was taken, it could have undesired Studies of preceding projects are carried out, and relevant aspects are consequences on the lives of the interviewees. For this reason, ethics extracted. Similarly, a study of traditional Fijian architecture is conducted, approval was not required for the research project. analysed and summarised. The factor which affected the outcome of this project is the outbreak of Finally, the extracted information alongside contemporary design methods Covid 19, which had New Zealand pass through a series of lockdowns. forms the basis of the design proposition. Hardcopies of reference books were not available during lockdowns due to the temporary library closers; hence most research was conducted through online databases available via Unitec Institute of Technology and Auckland Council Libraries. 10 2.0 Context 11 ceremony to honour 70 Fijian veterans who were exposed to the nuclear Veterans testing conducted by the British Government on Christmas Island between It is essential to recognise the group of individuals for whom this project is 1957 and 1958. The 24 surviving veterans and spouses of the deceased designed. Oxford Dictionary