A photograph showing a corner of the Heritage hotel in Cathedral Square with fencing and containers in front.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Crowds in Cathedral square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Wounded in Cathedral Square".
Damage to the back of a building near Cathedral Square. The brick wall has collapsed, exposing the interior.
The Chalice in Cathedral Square. A red crane and the BNZ building can be seen in the background.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Crowds at Cathedral Square".
A photograph showing a partially demolished Mutual Funds House from Cathedral Square, with the Chalice in the foreground.
This topic was chosen in response to the devastation caused to Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand following earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Working amongst the demolition bought to attention questions about how to re-conceive the square within the rebuilt city. In particular, it raised questions as to how a central square could be better integrated and experienced as a contemporary addition to Christchurch city. This thesis seeks to investigate the ways in which central squares can be better integrated with the contemporary city and how New Urbanist design principles can contribute toward this union. The research principally focuses on the physical and spatial integration of the square with the contemporary city. A drawing-based analysis of select precedent case studies helped to determine early on that overall integration of the contemporary square could be attributed to several interdependent criteria. The detailed studies are supplemented further with literature-based research that narrowed the criteria to five integrative properties. These are: identity, scale and proportion, use, connectivity and natural landscape. These were synthesised, in part, from the integrative New Urbanist movement and the emerging integrative side of the more contemporary Post Urbanist movement. The literature-based research revealed that a more inclusive approach toward New Urbanist and Post Urbanist design methodologies may also produce a more integrated and contemporary square. Three design case studies, using the redesign of Cathedral Square, were undertaken to test this hypothesis. The case studies found that overall, integration was reliant on a harmonious balance between the five integrative properties, concluding that squares can be better integrated with the contemporary city. Further testing of the third concept, which embraced an allied New Urbanist / Post Urbanist approach to design, found that New Urbanism was limited in its contribution toward the integration of the square.
A video of the reopening ceremony for the Heritage Hotel in Cathedral Square, which has been closed since the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The video shows Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae opening the building while a string trio plays. It also includes footage of a speech by the Governor General, and a tour of the hotel.
A photograph of a map used by emergency management personnel to inspect buildings after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The map is of the streets to the north-west of Cathedral Square. An area encompassing parts of St Asaph, Madras, Tuam, High, and Lichfield Streets have been outlined with biro.
A video about the time capsule found in the foundations of the former Press Building in Cathedral Square. Heritage consultant Jenny May shows the contents of the time capsule, including several coins, newspaper articles, and messages. The capsule was left by the architects and the people working on the building, rather than the editors of The Press.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "On a sunny Sunday in June, people are taking advantage of the new vantage points provided by the cordon opening up Gloucester Street and this bit of Colombo Street close to the Cathedral".
At one minute to seven last night, two beams of light were switched on to commemorate the anniversary of the first Canterbury earthquake.
Black-and-white photograph of the Regent Theatre (then known as the Royal Exchange Building) under construction. Photograph taken c1905.
A black and white historic photograph of the interior of Warner's Hotel, near the front desk, [1907].
A photograph of a detail of the former Press Building.
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A photograph looking south down Colombo Street from the intersection of Gloucester Street. In the distance a crane is hanging over Cathedral Square. Below the crane is the partially-demolished tower of the ChristChurch Cathedral. A pile of rubble is sitting in front.
Part two of the audio that makes up Gap Filler's 29th project, the Transitional City Audio Tour. This part of the tour begins in Cathedral Square and includes commentary on the proposal for the Convention Centre. The tour then moves down Worcester Street, providing commentary on Hotel 115, the Old Government Building (now the Heritage Hotel), and the Trinity Church on the way. Once the tour reaches Latimer Square, it moves towards Hereford Street and there is commentary on the Green Frame, and the future of Les Mill and Calendar Girls. The tour then moves down Madras Street, passing the Transitional Cathedral and the artwork, 185 Empty Chairs. The tour ends with commentary on the Farmers' Trading Building, the first Farmers' building in Christchurch which was eventually replaced by the IRD Building on Madras Street.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Bailies Bar in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Crowds gathering in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Crowds gathering in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Crowds gathering in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of Colombo, Hereford and High Streets. Looking north towards Cathedral Square".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The BNZ building (going) and the Millennium Hotel (staying), in Cathedral Square".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage in central Christchurch after a 6.3 earthquake. Crowds gathering in Cathedral Square".
A photograph of portaloos near Cathedral Square during the Canterbury Tales event. Canterbury Tales was part of FESTA 2013.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking over the cordon fence at the Worcester Street bridge towards Cathedral Square".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The earthquake-damaged dome of the Regent Theatre sitting in Cathedral Square".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The earthquake-damaged dome of the Regent Theatre sitting in Cathedral Square".