13 May 2013

NZ architecture student hopes to change the fale

9:08 am on 13 May 2013

A New Zealand architecture student is hoping to use modern technology to change the way traditional Samoan homes, or fale, are built.

Carinnya Feaunati, is graduting from Victoria University in Wellington this week with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies.

She says fales are often built using materials that don't function well in natural disasters and, for her masters degree, she plans to research ways to incorporate technology in a traditional way.

"That modern thinking of using modern materials like steel and stronger use of timber, so that we can still appreciate our history and architecture, but it's a better outlook for the future."

Carinnya Feaunati says she hopes her research will be noticed by officials in Samoa and that it can make a positive difference to her people.