The Kingdom of Tonga, stretching out over 176 islands in the remote reaches of Southern Pacific Ocean, is one of the most beautiful and bountiful countries on earth. For buildings, it is one of the most challenging. Set against a volcanic and earthquake-prone convergent plate boundary and a lively tropical cyclone corridor, Tongan buildings have been modified and adapted over millennia to withstand high wind, invasive insects, earthquakes, and provide comfort through warm humid days and cool nights. Made from sustainable local materials such as coconut palm fibres and grasses, Tonga’s diverse range of dwelling types reflected a program of traditional customs and a deeply entrenched social hierarchy.

So why would such a rich and sophisticated architectural tradition be comprehensively rejected in favour of concrete block and timber and construction?

Fale Tonga: Past, Present, Future examines the negative impact of architectural acculturation in the Pacific and proposes buildings which represent a hybrid of local materials and innovation with twenty-first century parametrically optimised geometry and construction.