An intermittent collaboration between the Centre of Contemporary Art and a series of local artists looking to present new work which explores the realities of the post-earthquake cultural landscape in Christchurch. The artworks by Ed Lust, Sam Eng, and Robyn Wester each utilise the empty window space of the window and carport of the damaged COCA building which is awaiting repair.
An example of the five year rebuild schedule map created as part of the prioritisation process detailing where and when construction would start. The data behind this map was updated every quarter.
A plan which describes the framework, principles and process for determining project prioritisation and the sequence in which those projects are carried out. The first version of this plan was produced on 23 September 2011.
A PDF copy of pages 224-225 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'The Viva Project'. Photos provided by Lin Roberts. With permission from The Viva Project.
A PDF copy of pages 190-191 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Gap Projects in Kaiapoi'. Photos: Gap Filler
A PDF copy of pages 182-183 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Poetica Urban Poetry Project'. Photos: Gap Filler
In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, a state of polycentric urbanity was thrust upon New Zealand’s second largest city. As the city-centre lay in disrepair, smaller centres started to materialise elsewhere, out of necessity. Transforming former urban peripheries and within existing suburbs into a collective, dispersed alternative to the city centre, these sub-centres prompted a range of morphological, socio-cultural and political transformations, and begged multiple questions: how to imbue these new sub-centres with gravity? How to render them a genuine alternative to the CBD? How do they operate within the wider city? How to cope with the physical and cultural transformations of this shifting urbanscape and prevent them occurring ad lib? Indeed, the success and functioning of the larger urban structure hinges upon a critical, informed response to these sub-centre urban contexts. Yet, with an unrelenting focus on the CBD rebuild - effectively a polycentric denial - little such attention has been granted. Taking this urban condition as its premise and its provocation, this thesis investigates architecture’s role in the emergent sub-centre. It asks: what can architecture do in these urban contexts; how can architecture act upon the emergent sub-centre in a critical, catalytic fashion? Identifying this volatile condition as both an opportunity for architectural experimentation and a need for critical architectural engagement, this thesis seeks to explore the sub-centre (as an idea and actual urban context) as architecture’s project: its raison d’etre, impetus and aspiration. These inquiries are tested through design-led research: an initial design question provoking further, broader discursive research (and indeed, seeking broader implications). The first section is a site-specific, design for Sumner, Christchurch. Titled ‘An Agora Anew’; this project - both in conception and outcome - is a speculative response to a specific sub-centre condition. The second section ‘The Sub-centre as Architecture’s Project’ explores the ideas provoked by the design project within a discursive framework. Firstly it identifies the sub-centre as a context in desperate need of architectural attention (why architecture?); secondly, it negotiates a possible agenda for architecture in this context through terms of engagement that are formal, critical and opportunistic (how architecture?): enabling it to take a position on and in the sub-centre. Lastly, a critical exegesis positions the design in regards to the broader discursive debate: critiquing it an architectural project predicated upon the idea of the sub-centre. The implications of this design-led thesis are twofold: firstly, for architecture’s role in the sub-centre (especially to Christchurch); secondly for the possibilities of architecture’s productive engagement with the city (largely through architectural form), more generally. In a century where radical, new urban contexts (of which the sub-centre is just one) are commonplace, this type of thinking – what can architecture do in the city? - is imperative.
A PDF copy of pages 102-103 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Dog Park Art Project Space'. Photo: Stacey Weaver Photography
This report discusses the experiences gained and lessons learned during a project management internship in post-earthquake Christchurch as part of the construction industry and rebuild effort.
Two projects are documented within this MEM Report: I. The first project examined what was learnt involving the critical infrastructure in the aftermath of natural disasters in the Canterbury region of New Zealand – the most prominent being the series of earthquakes between 2010 and 2011. The project identified several learning gaps, leading to recommendations for further investigations that could add significant value for the lifeline infrastructure community. II. Following the Lifeline Lesson Learnt Project, the Disaster Mitigation Guideline series was initiated with two booklets, one on Emergency Potable Water and a second on Emergency Sanitation. The key message from both projects is that we can and must learn from disasters. The projects described are part of the emergency management, and critical infrastructure learning cycles – presenting knowledge captured by others in a digestible format, enabling the lessons to be reapplied. Without these kinds of projects, there will be fewer opportunities to learn from other’s successes and failures when it comes to preparing for natural disasters.
Volunteers placing planks of wood on the ground for Gap Filler's painted piano to sit on. This is the site of the now demolished Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Students from Rangi Ruru playing one of Gap Filler's painted pianos on the site of the demolished Crowne Plaza Hotel.
A teacher talks to a group of students from Rangi Ruru on the demolished site of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Volunteers photographed around one of Gap Filler's painted pianos. The piano has been set up at the demolished site of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. A wooden structure has been built around the piano with Perspex and corrugated iron on top and plastic sheeting to the left and right. This is to protect the piano and pianist from wind and rain.
The site of a demolished building set up and waiting for one of Gap Filler's painted pianos to be delivered.
Volunteers setting up one of the painted pianos on the site of a demolished building. The piano has a Perspex and corrugated iron roof over it.
Volunteers photographed with one of Gap Filler's painted pianos. The piano has been set up at the demolished site of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. In the background, Gap Filler's Pallet Pavilion can be seen. The back of the piano has been covered by plastic sheeting with a picture of a dog. A wooden structure has also been built around the piano with Perspex and corrugated iron on top and plastic sheeting to the left and right. This is to protect the piano and pianist from wind and rain.
Volunteers setting up one of Gap Filler's painted pianos on the site of the demolished Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Volunteers delivering one of the painted pianos to the site of a demolished building in town.
Volunteers setting up one of the painted pianos on the site of a demolished building.
A PDF copy of pages 152-153 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'The Arcades Project'. Drawings and Photos: Andrew Just, F3 Design, LIVS
A PDF copy of pages 338-339 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Inside Out Project With Central New Brighton School'. Photos: Denise Mill
A mini golf course on a the site of a demolished building. It has been built by Gap Filler out of stones and green felt.
In-Spiired Challenge', a Gap Golf course on a the site of a demolished building. It has been built by Gap Filler out of wooden planks and green felt.
Visitors to the Pallet Pavilion enjoying beers and a game of Scrabble. A colourful umbrella blocks them from the rain.
A stall at the Pallet Pavillion's vintage market. The stall owner has used the gaps between the pallets as shelving for the shoes she is selling.
Manee St Pinball', a Gap Golf course on the site of a demolished building. It has been built by Gap Filler out of wooden planks and green felt.
A video of a presentation by Michelle Daly of GNS Science on the "Economics of Infrastructure Resilience EoRI project". The presentation was delivered at the learning forum on Interdependencies of Lifeline Systems as part of the University of Canterbury's Lifeline Week.
The M.C. at the Gap Golf prize giving ceremony holding a prize, a green business jacket. The ceremony was held at the Pallet Pavilion.
The M.C. at the Gap Golf prize giving ceremony announces the winner of a prize. The ceremony was held at the Pallet Pavilion.