Vā: A Praxis for Pacific Architectural Research and Practice

Abstract

The architecture of Pacific peoples has always been people centred. Vā is the relational space that mediates Pacific peoples’ relationships with one another and their environments. This paper extends the understanding of vā as a model of research and presents vā as a praxis framework for Pacific architectural action research. In an architectural project, I suggest vā can shape the whole process from conception to completion beyond just the built and occupied spaces. When practising architecture, I argue that vā can be a governing design principle as well as the approach to deliver Pacific architectural projects appropriately. Vā, therefore, is significant for all architects working in cross-cultural settings that involve Pacific peoples. Coming full circle back to my first publication, “Tauhi Vā: The First Space”, the paper begins with an architectural understanding of vā before framing a scoping review of vā research published over the last 40 years. The paper then discusses how vā can be unsettling and innovative as a praxis for design, procurement, building and project management on an architectural project. As a Tongan architect and researcher, I draw on experiences from architectural projects in Aotearoa New Zealand and in Te Ao Moemoeā (Australia) and the wider Moana (Pacific Ocean) completed over the recent years.