Stonemason Mark Whyte puts sculpting commissions aside in order to respond to the Christchurch earthquakes and save classic street facades from the 1870s. Across the Red Zone and 3 generations of the Aires family- Bob, Rob and Suzie are at work on the Heritage Hotel which were the old government buildings.
A photograph of a sign, reading, "Extreme care, protected trees." The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Provincial Council Chambers".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking from Gloucester Street towards the Novotel".
A story submitted by Rosalee Jenkin to the QuakeStories website.
A photograph of staff from the Department of Physics and Astronomy examining the rubble of the Observatory tower in the South Quad of the Christchurch Arts Centre. The tower collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. A digger was used to clear the rubble away from the building. Scaffolding around the tower has also collapsed and is amongst the rubble.
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 captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Damage to the side wall of the Mexican Cafe and His Lordships on Lichfield Street. from the December 23 earthquakes".
Topics - The Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, says it is important to be realistic about the demolition of Christchurch's heritage buildings following the powerful earthquake there last month. Motorists should prepare themselves for more increases in the price of petrol which, the AA warns, is likely to reach a new high.
Transcript of Andrea's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "This stack of containers protect the facade of New Excelsior Backpackers. Corner of Manchester and Lichfield Streets".
A story submitted by Brenda Greene to the QuakeStories website.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Our City, O-Tautahi (former Municipal Chambers) on Worcester Street".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Our City, O-Tautahi (former Municipal Chambers) on Worcester Street".
An entry from Deb Robertson's blog for 5 August 2011 entitled, "A birthday quilt for nana....".
A photograph submitted by Anonymous to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "Strategy Building".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "St John the Baptist".
A story submitted by Joanna Orwin to the QuakeStories website.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "St John the Baptist".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "St John the Baptist".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "St John the Baptist".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "St John the Baptist".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Cupola from Our City, O-Tautahi (former Municipal Chambers), removed and braced on the ground outside".
A pdf transcript of Heather Bundy's second earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox Take 2 project. Interviewer: Samuel Hope. Transcriber: Josie Hepburn.
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 captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Materials salvaged from Our City, O-Tautahi on pallets out front".
An entry from Deb Robertson's blog for 29 June 2013 entitled, "What is cognitive dissonance??".
Transcript of Steve's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Transcript of Adam Cawley's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Transcript of Owen Macintyre's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 27 June 2011, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.