Reconnection to Cleared Site in Christchurch Architecture for the Rememberer
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Reconnection to Cleared Site in Christchurch Architecture for the Rememberer Abigail Michelle Thompson A thesis submitted in ful! lment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (professional), The University of Auckland, 2012 Fig 1: Project. Surface study model by author. Abstract The loss of life and buildings due to the devastating and continuing earthquakes in Canterbury (since 9th September, 2010) have created a need to examine the issue of memory with concerns to architecture in a New Zealand context. This thesis was initiated with concern to addressing the cleared (destroyed, demolished) buildings of Christchurch and architecture’s role in reconnecting Cantabrians mnemonically to the cleared sites in their city. This is an investigation of architecture’s ability to trigger memories in order to speci! cally address the disorientation experienced by Cantabrians subsequent to the loss of built fabric in their city. The design intention is to propose an architectural method for reconnecting people’s memories with site, which will have implications to other sites throughout the city of Christchurch. Consequently, two signi! cant sites of destruction have been chosen, the Methodist Church site at 309 Durham St (community) and the house at 69 Sherborne St (domestic). With the only original material left on these cleared sites being the ground itself, two issues were made apparent. Firstly, that ground should play a signi! cant role in substantiating the memory of the site(s), and secondly the necessary task of designing a mnemonic language without tangible links (other than ground). Collective memory is examined with regards to theory by Maurice Halbwachs, Piere Nora, and Peter Carrier. Design exploration of mnemonic language is developed with concern to issues of collective and individual memory. Individual memory theory of Gaston Barchelard, Marcel Proust and Frances Yates are discussed. This research resulted in two opposing design strategies, one that is Referential and conducive to collective memory through use of mass and surfaces, the second strategy Experiential, aligning with an idea of individual memory by use of layers and the cut as an analytical tool. These strategies, along with archetypes such as doors and staircases (as discussed later in relation to phenomenology and semiotics), became essential to the design process and ! nal outcomes. As a result, Referential and Experiential moments have been designed to occur at looking through a window, entering through a door, or ascending up a stairway. The resulting architectural interventions are signi! cant in addressing use of mnemonic language to reorientate Cantabrians to cleared site in their central city. Fig 2: Project. Surface study model by author. Dedication To my father, Mark Thompson (29/12/1959 - 06/10/2012) who taught me the courage, determination and diligence that I needed to write this thesis, and who demonstrated the faith, hope and love that I will need in life. Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to acknowledge Lynda Simmons as my supervisor. Her time, encouragement, and critical input made this thesis possible. I would also like to acknowledge my family, especially my mum, who have always supported and believed in me. Lastly, to my friends, " atmates and fellow students who kept me sane during the year with their humour and continued friendship. Contents Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................15 1 The City ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................19 1.1 The City as Containing Memory ...................................................................................................................................................................... 21 1.2 Christchurch as Site .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 23 2 Memorial Culture and Language ........................................................................................................................................................... 29 2.1 Memorial Culture ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 2.2 Memorial Culture in New Zealand ...................................................................................................................................................................31 2.3 International Memorial Language .................................................................................................................................................................. 35 3 Collective Memory ...........................................................................................................................................................................................41 3.1 Theory of Collective Memory ........................................................................................................................................................................... 43 3.2 Referential Language (Surface and Mass) ................................................................................................................................................... 45 4 Individual Memory .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 4.1 Theory of Individual Memory ...........................................................................................................................................................................51 4.2 Experiential Language (Layers and the Cut as Device) ............................................................................................................................ 53 5 Experience and Memory ..............................................................................................................................................................................61 5.1 Theory of the Haptic in Architecture.............................................................................................................................................................. 62 5.2 The Framed View (And Layered Space) ......................................................................................................................................................... 65 6 Design ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................67 6.1 Site analysis and relationship .............................................................................................................................................................................67 6.2 Architectural Language ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 68 6.3 Design Methodology ............................................................................................................................................................................................75 6.4 Proposed House, Site 1 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 77 6.5 Proposed Church, Site 2 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 87 6.6 Presentation Layout ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 95 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 97 7 Appendix ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 99 7.1 Interviews with experts working in Christchurch...................................................................................................................................... 99 Richard Dalman (Dalman Architecture) ........................................................................................................................................................ 99 Ashley Hide and Nich Faith (Ath! eld Architects) ..................................................................................................................................... 101 Jeremy van der Linden (Sheppard & Rout) ................................................................................................................................................104