Professor Albert L.Refiti

Leali’ifano Dr Albert Refiti is the leader in critical studies research on spatial design and architectural environments in the Pacific, with a focus on material culture and ethnography on the subject. He advanced the discipline by creating a method of spatial exposition to examine the notion of vā (space) and wā (time) as central mechanisms to understand Pacific societies and their buildings, artefacts and social system.

Dr Refiti practised architecture in Auckland (1990, 1994-2002) and London (1991-1993) before beginning his academic career at Auckland University of Technology in 2002. He founded Vā Moana Research Cluster with Tina Engels-Schwarzpaul in 2012, a successful platform setting the agenda for international research that engages Indigenous Pacific and Western thought to study Pacific notions of space. Based at Auckland University of Technology’s School of Art and Design, Vā Moana has created a far-reaching network of international scholars whose research transforms ways of thinking about contemporary and customary Pacific understandings of the world, by examining Indigenous Moana modes of producing space, objects, rituals and performance; develop new to promote discussion and publications from Pacific perspectives; focus on how Pacific concepts affect the production of space and the use of the built environment, re-exploring and extending customary knowledge alongside academic discourse.

Albert aligns his teaching and learning with his current research combining PhD and Masters supervision of emerging Pacific scholars with two Marsden-funded research projects: 'Artefacts of Relations - Building in the Pacific' (2022-2025), 'Vā Moana: space and relationality in Pacific thought and identity '(2019-2023), and MBIE-funded research 'Te Hotonga Hapori' at AUT.

Dr Refiti’s professional architectural work and research include the Fale Pasifika at the University of Auckland (2004), Te Ao Marama South Atrium of the Auckland Museum (1994, 2019-2021), Unitec Fale Samoa (2003) and the Victoria University Wellington’s Fale Malae on the Wellington waterfront (2021-2025).