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South face of the Lyttelton Times Building

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white historic photograph of the south face of the Lyttelton Times Building following its extension in 1902-3, viewed from Cathedral Square, [1904].

West entrance of Warner's Hotel (2)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white historic photograph of a group of cyclists lining up outside Warner's Hotel before a race leaving from the hotel, [May 1904].

Photograph by Eroica Ritchie 169

A person takes a photograph during the Rally for the Cathedral in Cranmer Square. He is wearing a mask identified with the "Anonymous" movement. The rally protested the proposed demolition of the ChristChurch Cathedral.

Intersection of Colombo and High Streets

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white historic photograph of the intersection of Colombo and High Streets, with the Fishers' building visible on the left, [ca. 1884].

BeckerFraserPhotos June 2012 photograph 734

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Christchurch Club, Worcester Street".

Uncertain future for Christchurch's hospitality sector

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Among those businesses most affected by the end of the welfare scheme are cafes, restaurants and bars. 100 such businesses have closed in the central city alone because of the earthquake.

Andersons' Foundry on the south side of Cashel Street

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white historic photograph of John Anderson and his foreman, Mr A. Kirk, standing outside the foundry at the back of the Andersons' building, [ca. 1900].

South end of Lyttelton Times building

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white historic photograph of the south end of the Lyttelton Times Building prior to its extension in 1902-3, viewed from Cathedral Square, [ca. 1885].

Protecting the past - Restoring heritage bridges

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A document which describes the processes that SCIRT took when repairing some of Christchurch's heritage bridges.

The Ruins of Eloquence

Research papers, Victoria University of Wellington

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.

Christchurch Press Infographic: 10 August 2012 (4), map

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A map showing the location of heritage buildings in the residential red zone.

Cathedral Square facing the Post Office and Regent Theatre

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A colour photograph taken from above Cathedral Square, with two old buildings of Christchurch, the Post Office and the Regent Theatre, in the centre and the hills beyond, taken after the September earthquakes but prior to February 22.

Photograph by Eroica Ritchie 171

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A woman in a wheelchair carrying a placard reading, "Save our cathedral. It will be cheaper. It will be safe," as protesters march down Worcester Boulevard during the Rally for the Cathedral. The rally protested the proposed demolition of the ChristChurch Cathedral.

Exterior of Clarendon Hotel, from Oxford Terrace, Worcester Street corner

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white historic photograph of the exterior Clarendon Hotel, designed by J.C. Maddison. The photograph was taken from the corner of Oxford Terrace and Worcester Street, [1903].

Reconstruction of T. Armstrong & Co. premises, corner of Colombo and Armag…

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A black and white historic photograph of the reconstruction of Armstrong & Co., a major department store on the corner of Colombo and Armagh Streets, [ca. 1930].