
A series of communication updates provided by SCIRT's Downer Delivery Team to the Christchurch City Council. These updates detailed the progress of the Arch and Bridge restoration. The updates were produced between 28 June 2013 and 8 September 2015.
The city centre and Tuahiwi Marae, the home of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, are now linked by names. The Anglican cathedral and Tuahiwi’s church, both called St Stephens, sit on land called Whitireia. Whitireia was the house of Paekia, the ancestor who landed on the North Island on the back of a whale at Tūranga, which is now the name of Christchurch’s city library.
A photograph of the back page of a Christchurch City Council form. The form allowed contractors to apply for the authorisation to enter the Christchurch Red Zone after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Information on the back reads, "What does this authorisation mean for me? I am wearing appropriate personal protection clothing and equipment. At all times DO NOT enter any red placarded building. You may enter a yellow placarded building for a period of time (no longer than 30 minutes) and follow the instruction of the escorts. A green placarded building may be accessed for longer periods. Please note: do not enter any buildings which are not for the purpose of your authorisation".
On the 22nd of February, 2011 the city of Christchurch, New Zealand was crippled by a colossal earthquake. 185 people were killed, thousands injured and what remained was a city left in destruction and ruin. Thousands of Christchurch properties and buildings were left damaged beyond repair and the rich historical architecture of the Canterbury region had suffered irreparably. This research will conduct an investigation into whether the use of mixed reality can aid in liberating Christchurch’s rich architectural heritage when applied to the context of destructed buildings within Christchurch. The aim of this thesis is to formulate a narrative around the embodiment of mixed reality when subjected to the fragmentary historical architecture of Christchurch. Mixed reality will aspire to act as the defining ligature that holds the past, present and future of Christchurch’s architectural heritage intact as if it is all part of the same continuum. This thesis will focus on the design of a memorial museum within a heavily damaged historical trust registered building due to the Christchurch earthquake. It is important and relevant to conceive the idea of such a design as history is what makes everything we know. The memories of the past, the being of the now and the projection of the future is the basis and fundamental imperative in honouring the city and people of Christchurch. Using the technologies of Mixed Reality and the realm of its counter parts the memorial museum will be a definitive proposition of desire in providing a psychological and physical understanding towards a better Christchurch, for the people of Christchurch. This thesis serves to explore the renovation possibilities of the Canterbury provincial council building in its destructed state to produce a memorial museum for the Christchurch earthquake. The design seeks to mummify the building in its raw state that sets and develops the narrative through the spaces. The design intervention is kept at a required minimum and in doing so manifests a concentrated eloquence to the derelict space. The interior architecture unlocks the expression of history and time encompassed within a destructive and industrialised architectural dialogue. History is the inhabitant of the building, and using the physical and virtual worlds it can be set free. This thesis informs a design for a museum in central Christchurch that celebrates and informs the public on past, present and future heritage aspects of Christchurch city. Using mixed reality technologies the spatial layout inside will be a direct effect of the mixed reality used and the exploration of the physical and digital heritage aspects of Christchurch. The use of technology in today’s world is so prevalent that incorporating it into a memorial museum for Christchurch would not only be interesting and exploratory but also offer a sense of pushing forward and striving beyond for a newer, fresher Christchurch. The memorial museum will showcase a range of different exhibitions that formulate around the devastating Christchurch earthquake. Using mixed reality technologies these exhibitions will dictate the spaces inside dependant on their various applications of mixed reality as a technology for architecture. Research will include; what the people of Canterbury are most dear to in regards to Christchurch’s historical environment; the use of mixed reality to visualise digital heritage, and the combination of the physical and digital to serve as an architectural mediation between what was, what is and what there could be.
A photograph of a sign reading, "Please save High Street, the heart of Christchurch city". The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Sign seen on a fence near the corner of St Asaph Street and High Street".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Edmonds Clock Tower with the words 'Hope' and 'Charity' on the side. Hope and Charity seem particularly pertinent to Christchurch".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Edmonds Clock Tower with the words 'Hope' and 'Charity' on the side. Hope and Charity seem particularly pertinent to Christchurch".
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a hotel in the Christchurch central city. Cordon tape has been placed across the entrance to the hotel and USAR codes have been spray-painted on the footpath outside.
An entry from Jennifer Middendorf's blog for 21 October 2012 entitled, "Back by maternal demand".
For the first time in November 2011, Christchurch residents finally had the opportunity to see the earthquake-damaged city centre on the Red Zone bus tours organised by CERA. Partial view of the Citizens' War Memorial beside the cathedral.
Posters created for Beca Heritage Week 2014, outlining SCIRT's repair work on the Armagh Street and Colombo Street bridges in the Central City. They were hung on the bridges for members of the public to read during SCIRT's walk and talk tours.
For the first time in November 2011, Christchurch residents finally had the opportunity to see the earthquake-damaged city centre on the Red Zone bus tours organised by CERA. Damage to the Odeon Theatre can be seen out the window.
For the first time in November 2011, Christchurch residents finally had the opportunity to see the earthquake-damaged city centre on the Red Zone bus tours organised by CERA. Damage to the Odeon Theatre can be seen out the window.
For the first time in November 2011, Christchurch residents finally had the opportunity to see the earthquake-damaged city centre on the Red Zone bus tours organised by CERA. Damage to buildings on Cashel Street can be seen out the window.
For the first time in November 2011, Christchurch residents finally had the opportunity to see the earthquake-damaged city centre on the Red Zone bus tours organised by CERA. The Regent Theatre dome which has been removed from the building.
For the first time in November 2011, Christchurch residents finally had the opportunity to see the earthquake-damaged city centre on the Red Zone bus tours organised by CERA. Looking into Cathedral Square, the Regent Theatre dome can be partially seen.
A photograph of community members giving feedback on the Sumner master plan.
A photograph of a warning sign placed next to a river in Christchurch. The sign reads, "Warning contaminated water. Due to sewage overflows this water is unsafe to human contact and activity and a public health risk. Please keep all people and pets out of contact with the water and do not consume any seafood or shellfish collected from this area".
A member of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team team attempting to enter the City Care building on Antigua Street. A green sticker on the door indicates that the building has been inspected and is safe to enter.
A sign erected on Retreat Road in Avonside by the Christchurch City Council reading, "Non-residents are asked not to enter this area. Traffic may cause further damage to roads and properties. Please respect the needs of local residents".
An aerial photograph of the Christchurch central city. The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "BDO Lumley House which is in the process of being demolished. Knox Church is visible on the right hand side of the photo".
A photograph of community members at a meeting to discuss the Sumner master plan.
A photograph of a speaker giving a presentation on the Sumner master plan.
A photograph of community members at a meeting to discuss the Sumner master plan.
A photograph of community members at a meeting to discuss the Sumner master plan.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Aerial view of the centre of the city, with the cathedral in the centre, and the art gallery in the foreground".
For the first time in November 2011, Christchurch residents finally had the opportunity to see the earthquake-damaged city centre on the Red Zone bus tours organised by CERA. Looking down the new Re:Start Mall as the bus goes down Colombo Street.
A photograph of a large crack in the pavement of New Regent Street, near the tram tracks. Many of the pavement tiles have fallen into the crack.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a property in the Christchurch central city. Part of the roof of the property has collapsed, spilling material onto the balcony below. A sign in the foreground reads, "Wots your councillor doing for your water?".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking along Gloucester Street from the Oxford Terrace intersection. The central library is to the left".