New growth rises out of historic ruin Adap�ve reuse of Christchurch Cathedral Taozhi Guo 1400452 Principal Supervisor: Bin Su Associate Supervisor: Renata Jadresin Milic An Explanatory Document submi�ed in par�al fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional). Unitec Ins�tute of Technology, New Zealand 2020 Word Count:14000 Abstract In New Zealand, in 2011, Christchurch Cathedral was memorial values of the site should be considered, severely damaged in an earthquake. Before the 2011 and a�en�on should also be paid to its present-day earthquake, the Cathedral and Cathedral Square values by considering the future urban context. In were the physical and social centre of Christchurch. the field of historical building conserva�on, the idea For locals and tourists, Cathedral Square is not just a of adap�vely reusing old buildings with contempo- religious place, but also a centre of leisure and rary technologies to achieve the aim of preserva�on entertainment. But, for almost a decade a�er 2011, has become very popular in recent years. The theory the site has been closed due to safety issues. Ini�ally, of adapta�on seems to be an appropriate way to Bishop Victoria Ma�hews decided the original solve the problems of preserving the old and Cathedral should be demolished and replaced with a developing the new on a heritage site. new, contemporary design. But various groups opposed the inten�on of the church and, through To iden�fy a design, a literature review was under- nego�a�ons, the Anglican Church finally decided in taken, and key texts on conserva�on, adapta�on and 2017 to reinstate the Cathedral using a combina�on memory were explored. In addi�on, a number of of repair, restora�on, reconstruc�on/rebuild and precedent studies including advanced concepts and seismic strengthening.1 However, to restore the adap�ve strategies were drawn on to guide the Cathedral to its original appearance using tradi�onal proposed design. Site analysis, sketches and models technologies and materials is also a kind of damage were made to explore the proposed design. Based to the history and memory of the Cathedral, because on these research approaches, a final design too much restora�on work makes the line between outcome was iden�fied for adap�ve reuse of the old the new and the old difficult to iden�fy. And if the Cathedral as a central plaza for worship, event Cathedral is fully reconstructed or restored to its holding, exhibi�ons, learning and entertainment original form, will the history or the memory associ- spaces. This project aims, through the restora�on, ated with the �me of earthquake be ignored or reconstruc�on and adapta�on of the old Cathedral, reduced? to protect the heritage value and ensure the Cathe- dral and the Square can serve as the social and The Central City Recovery Plan shows the future of economic centre of Christchurch in the future. central Christchurch as a contemporary, green, accessible and sustainable place. In the conserva�on of the Cathedral, the protec�on of the _____________________ 1. “History of Earthquake-Damaged Cathedral Christchurch,” Reinstate, last modified July 2, 2020, h�ps://rein- state.org.nz/project/history-�meline-earth- quake-damaged-cathedral-christchurch/. 1 Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisors, Dr Bin Su and Dr Renata Jadresin Milic, whose exper�se was invaluable in guiding my design concept explora�on and old building conserva�on research. I would also like to thank other tutors from Unitec and the guest who gave me feedback in the cri�ques. A special acknowledgement goes to my proofreader, Mary Rean, and learning advisor, Dr Catherine Mitchell, who helped me with my wri�ng. In addi�on, I would like to thank my parents and partner for their uncondi�onal support and endless love. Finally, thanks to all my friends who provided various advice and knowledge for my research. 2 Table of Contents Abstract.....................................................................................1 3.4 Memory in material and form............................................................33 3.5 Summary.............................................................................................33 Acknowledgements...................................................................2 4.0 Precedent Review..............................................................35 1.0 Introduc�on.........................................................................5 4.1 Precedent 1 - Santa María de Vilanova de la Barca...........................36 4.2 Precedent 2 - Caixa Forum Art Centre................................................38 1.1 Terminology..........................................................................................6 4.3 Precedent 3 - Le Fresnoy Art Center...................................................39 1.2 Background...........................................................................................6 4.4 Precedent 4 – The Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tāmaki......................40 1.3 Project outline......................................................................................7 4.5 Summary.............................................................................................41 1.4 Aims and objec�ves.............................................................................7 1.5 Research ques�on................................................................................7 1.6 Scope and limita�ons ...........................................................................8 5.0 Site.....................................................................................43 1.7 Methods...............................................................................................8 5.1 The site a�er the earthquake............................................................44 5.1.1 The recovery of the city.....................................................44 2.0 Context Research.................................................................9 5.1.2 The Square now.................................................................46 5.1.3 The Cathedral now............................................................46 2.1 The history of the Anglican Church in New Zealand..........................11 5.1.4 Site visit.............................................................................48 2.2 Auckland - St Mary’s Church and Holy Trinity Cathedral....................12 5.2 Site Context........................................................................................50 2.3 Waiapu - Waiapu Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Napier......14 5.2.1 Loca�on.............................................................................50 2.4 Nelson - Christ Church Cathedral........................................................15 5.2.2 Transporta�on...................................................................52 2.5 Wellington - Old St Paul's and Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.........16 5.2.3 Climate...............................................................................54 2.6 Christchurch Cathedral.......................................................................18 5.3 Design principle and programme......................................................56 2.6.1 History of the city..............................................................18 5.3.1 Opening the ground floor level.........................................57 2.6.2 History of the Square.........................................................20 5.3.2 New cover for the old building.........................................57 2.6.3 History of the Cathedral....................................................21 5.3.3 Restoring the highest point in the central city..................57 2.7 Summary.............................................................................................24 5.3.4 Programme........................................................................62 2.8 Design from others.............................................................................25 2.8.1 Rebuilding or restoring the Cathedral...............................25 2.8.2 Addi�onal func�ons..........................................................26 6.0 Design Process...................................................................63 2.8.3 Contemporary technology.................................................27 6.1 Concept explora�on...........................................................................64 6.2 Developed concept............................................................................67 3.0 Literature Review...............................................................29 6.2.1 Final concept.....................................................................67 6.2.2 Form and space.................................................................70 3.1 Conserva�on......................................................................................30 6.2.3 Circula�on and func�on....................................................72 3.2 ICOMOS New Zealand........................................................................31 6.2.4 Seismic resistance design..................................................73 3.3 Adapta�on..........................................................................................31 6.2.5 Sustainable design.............................................................74 3 7.0 Design Outputs..................................................................75 8.0 Conclusion.........................................................................81