A photograph of the installation of Etch-A-Sketch for LUXCITY.
A photograph of a temporary installation titled Etch-A-Sketch. The installation is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of visitors to LUXCITY in front of the large-scale installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of visitors to LUXCITY in front of the large-scale installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of visitors to LUXCITY in front of the large-scale installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of a temporary installation titled Etch-A-Sketch. The installation is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of people gathered in front of the temporary light installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of visitors to LUXCITY in front of the large-scale installation titled Etch-A-Sketch.
A photograph of a temporary installation titled Etch-A-Sketch. The installation is part of LUXCITY.
A photograph of architecture students in hard hats and high-visibility vests, on the site of the Etch-A-Sketch installation.
A photograph of the LUXCITY installations In Your Face (left) and Etch-A-Sketch (right).
A photograph of the LUXCITY installations In Your Face (left) and Etch-A-Sketch (right).
A photograph of a detail of Mike Hewson's installation 'View from the Studio' in Re:Start Mall. An outline of the cathedral's tower is sketched on plywood, accompanied by the words, "Mike Hewson 2012. 'View From Studio'. (We should try keep some part of the cathedral rather than just demo-ing it)".
The seismic tremor that shook Christchurch on February 22, 2011, not only shattered buildings but also the spirit of the city’s residents. Amidst the ruins, this design-focused thesis unravels two intertwining narratives, each essential to the city’s resurrection. At its core, this thesis probes the preservation of Christchurch’s memory and character, meticulously chronicling the lost heritage architecture and the subsequent urban metamorphosis. Beyond bricks and mortar, it also confronts the silent aftershocks - the pervasive mental health challenges stemming from personal losses and the disfigured cityscape. As a native of Christchurch, intimately connected to its fabric, my lens reflects not just on the architectural reconstruction but also on the emotional reconstruction. My experience as an autistic individual, a recently discovered facet of my identity, infuses this design journey with a distinct prism through which I perceive and interact with the world. The colourful sketches that drive the design process aren’t mere illustrations but manifestations of my interpretation of spaces and concepts, evoking joy and vitality—a testament to embracing diversity in design. Drawing parallels between healing my own traumas with my colourful and joyful neurodivergent worldview, I’ve woven this concept into proposals aimed at healing the city through whimsy, joy, and vibrant colours. Personal experiences during and post-earthquakes profoundly shape my design proposals. Having navigated the labyrinth of my own mental health amid the altered cityscape, I seek avenues for reconciliation, both personal and communal. The vibrant sketches and designs presented in this thesis encapsulate this vision—a fusion of vivid, unconventional interpretations and a dedication to preserving the essence of the original cityscape while still encouraging movement into the future.