About
Paint The Town Blue is an architectural research project exploring how to unlock the potential of public housing backyards by transforming these overlooked spaces into new homes
This research was generously supported by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects through the F. Gordon Wilson Fellowship for Public Housing
INFO
What is Bluefield Development?
Bluefield development is a way of adding new homes within the land that already surrounds existing houses, developed by Australian Architectural academic Damian Madigan. It focuses on providing compact homes with varying degrees of shared communal space, creating opportunities for people to live more closely together without drastically changing the character of a neighbourhood. In this way, it offers a model for gentle densification — making better use of land while keeping the fabric of existing communities intact.
Why is it applicable to public housing in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Public housing in Aotearoa is unique; much of it consists of two- to three-bedroom single-family homes on relatively large lots that are spread throughout the suburbs. This makes traditional redevelopment models expensive and disruptive. Bluefield development offers a practical alternative — allowing these sites to gradually accommodate more homes, of the right type, in the areas where they are needed most.
Who is it for?
The Bluefield model is designed to support tenants whose current housing no longer suits their needs. This includes older residents living in homes that are too large or inaccessible, multi-generational and larger families living in overcrowded conditions, and smaller family units such as single parents seeking more suitable housing. By relocating these groups into new Bluefield homes, their existing properties can then be reused or sensitively redeveloped to deliver even more housing.