Program Overview

SARC 216: Mātauranga Māori and the Built and Natural Environment I

Course Description

SARC 216 is a studio-based design course focused on mātauranga Māori, including kaupapa, histories, and Māori design strategies. This course connects into the three design-focussed disciplines in Architecture – Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Architecture – and provides students with specialist Māori knowledge and skills to augment the discipline-specific technical/skills-based learning required for the respective design discipline.

Course Details

• Dates: 6 July 2026 to 8 November 2026
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • NZ$2,411.10 for domestic students
  • NZ$11,117.40 for international students
• Lecture start times:
  • Tuesday 12.40pm
  • Friday 12.40pm
• Campus: Te Aro
• Estimated workload: Approximately 300 hours or 16.7 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 30

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: ARCI/INTA/LAND 211
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: ARCI/INTA/LAND 212

Taught by

School of Architecture — Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Find important dates—including mid-trimester teaching breaks—on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be provided once the course has begun.

About this Course

SARC216 is an on-campus only course and is not available for distance study. Course content will focus on Māori principles for design across the three disciplines - Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Architecture. Various discipline-specific applications of Māori design methods and knowledge will be demonstrated through relevant case studies that cover built environment examples.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Apply Māori design processes and strategies to a discipline-specific design project.
2. Critically evaluate the connection between concepts and architecture, landscape, interiors, and environment.
3. Analyse and accommodate te taiao (environmental), physical, and technical constraints in design practice.
4. Develop kaupapa Māori architectural vocabularies and design strategies to an introductory level.
5. Apply technical strategies that support the sustainability of te taiao (natural environments).
6. Develop an understanding of strategies for engaging with hāpori Māori (Māori communities) appropriately.

How this Course is Taught

Teaching and learning in this course will be delivered through 2 weekly lectures + 2 x 3hr studios weekly. One weekly lecture/seminar will focus on Māori design strategies, and one weekly lecture/seminar will focus on the relevant design discipline required skills area.

Assessment

• Concept Mark: 20%
• Developed conceptual scheme Mark: 35%
• Design project Mark: 35%
• Reflective Commentary Mark: 10%

Lecture Times and Rooms

Lecture times are from 6 July 2026 to 8 November 2026, with specific room details to be confirmed.

What you'll need to get

Students will need to provide all materials and equipment as necessary for the completion of course work. Standard requirements can be found through the provided link.