A design study of residential camps

Abstract

Historically the key factor for the location and the development of residential camps was the availability of cheap land; either marginal land or odd corners of productive land. Other factors may have been the donation of land by a benevolent individual, or an attempt to find new uses for unused existing buildings or sites for example abandoned: rural district schools, farm homesteads, forestry huts. These combined with financial restrictions and limited trained design input, and a diversity of camping organisations has meant camping has developed haphazardly and in an ill-conceived way.

The aim of this study is to investigate residential camping in Canterbury, from a design, landscape, and environmental perspective. This material would then be used to assist the selection of a site suitable for the design project. Then as a basis for the development of a camp design proposal upon that site. The study would also incorporate the collection and analysis of written material on the subject. This could provide the background for the future design work.