LVS acts as site brokers for a creative Christchurch, finding short and medium-term uses for the many vacant sites and buildings of Christchurch.
The Townsend Observatory is located in the Arts Centre of Christchurch, in what used to be Canterbury College (now University of Canterbury). The Townsend telescope itself is a historic 6-inch Cooke refractor built in 1864 for early Christchurch colonist, Mr James Townsend, and gifted by him to Christchurch College in 1891. At the same time, the Canterbury Astronomical Society handed over its funds to the College to help erect an observatory. The College used this, and money it had set aside for a medical school, to build a biological laboratory with an attached observatory tower, which was completed in 1896. The Biology Building and Observatory Tower was the last major design by architect Benjamin Mountfort. Mr Walter Kitson was appointed custodian of the telescope and regular public open nights commenced. and continued until 2010, with the telescope being operated by students of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury. The Observatory Tower was badly damaged in the 4 September 2010 earthquake and collapsed in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The telescope was badly damaged by the collapse, but, amazingly, the optics were found entirely intact. The Department of Physics and Astronomy plans to restore the Townsend Telescope so that it can be returned to a replica Observatory Tower in its central city home, enabling the people of Christchurch, and visitors, to enjoy views of the night sky through this beautiful and historic telescope once again.
The Shelley Common Room, previously a social space, converted into a study space after the September earthquake.
The Shelley Common Room, previously a social space, converted into a study space after the September earthquake.
The Shelley Common Room, previously a social space, converted into a study space after the September earthquake.
A photograph of Erin Simpson interviewing volunteers who have been constructing the Four Corners youth space.
Part of a house left sticking out over empty space after the cliff below it collapsed. The photographer comments, "Kinsey Terrace, Clifton, Christchurch viewed from Main Road".
The School of Social Work makes spaces for more computer work spaces, and also the Business and Economics college office.
The School of Social Work makes spaces for more computer work spaces, and also the Business and Economics college office.
A pdf copy of the second introductory panel of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes a collection of Guy Frederick's memories of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, as well as discussion on how people experience change.
A pdf copy of the third introductory panel of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes discussion on how Frederick and others in Canterbury responded to the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
A pdf copy of the first introductory panel of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes a collection of Guy Frederick's memories of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, as well as discussion on how people experience change.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's Blog for 22 February 2014 entitled, "Sacred Space".
An entry from Roz Johnson's blog for 19 November 2011 entitled, "Filling the Spaces".
An entry from Roz Johnson's blog for 09 June 2013 entitled, "Outer Spaces".
A PDF copy of pages 30-31 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Homage to the Lost Spaces'. Photo: Andrew Hewson
The study contributes to a better understanding of utilisation and interaction patterns in post-disaster temporary urban open spaces. A series of devastating earthquakes caused large scale damage to Christchurch’s central city and many suburbs in 2010 and 2011. Various temporary uses have emerged on vacant post-earthquake sites including community gardens, urban agriculture, art installations, event venues, eateries and cafés, and pocket parks. Drawing on empirical data obtained from a spatial qualities survey and a Public Life Study, the report analyses how people used and interacted with three exemplary transitional community-initiated open spaces (CIOS) in relation to particular physical spatial qualities in central Christchurch over a period of three weeks. The report provides evidence that users of post-disaster transitional community-initiated open spaces show similar utilisation and interaction patterns in relation to specific spatial qualities as observed in other urban environments. The temporary status of CIOS did apparently not influence ‘typical’ utilisation and interaction patterns.
Site of SCAPE which installs contemporary art by local, national and international artists in Christchurch’s public spaces. Information about past exhibits and about the next biennial, artists and permanent works. Includes the effect of the Christchurch earthquake on the organisation itself and the artists.
A pdf copy of panel 12 of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes text from an interview with Wendy Griffiths about her experiences of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Above this is an image of Griffiths on a beach.
A PDF copy of pages 64-65 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The pages document the transitional project 'Life in Vacant Spaces HQ'. Photos: Tim Bishop and LiVS
An entry from Roz Johnson's blog for 5 November 2011 entitled, "Spaces left in Lyttelton Post Earthquake".
The title reads 'Satellite to plunge to earth "People should see quite a show." A 'NASA' satellite heads towards New Zealand; someone inside says 'Beep! Beep! Christchurch CBD here we come! Woo-hoo!' Context: A great deal of the CBD (Central Business District) in Christchurch is being demolished, considered to dangerous or too expensive to restore. A defunct 6.5 ton NASA satellite falls to earth this week... 26 pieces, with a combined mass of 500kg will survive the fiery re-entry and hurtle towards us. NASA doesn't have much idea of where it will land so it may demolish some of Christchurch. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).
A worker marking walls in the space under the library.
Workers adding ceiling panels to the space under the library.
Workers adding ceiling panels to the space under the library.
A pdf copy of panel 2 of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes text from an interview with Louis Harrison-Aydon about his experiences of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Above this is an image of Harrison-Aydon sitting in a graveyard .
A pdf copy of panel 14 of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes text from an interview with Gerard Smythe about his experiences of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Above this is an image of Smythe sitting outside the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
A pdf copy of panel 13 of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes text from an interview with Sophie Walton about her experiences of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Above this is an image of Walton on the walkway from Taylor's Mistake to Boulder Bay.
A pdf copy of panel 1 of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes text from an interview with Meredith Dyer about her experiences of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Above this is an image of Dyer sitting on a path in the Botanical Gardens.
A pdf copy of panel 6 of Guy Frederick's 'The Space Between Words' exhibition. The panel includes text from an interview with Paul Jenkins about his experiences of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Above this is an image of Jenkins sitting in a room of his house.