Damage to the Coastguard Building in Kaiapoi. One of the concrete panels on the footpath has lifted, revealing an empty space underneath.
The 2010 Darfield earthquake is the largest earthquake on record to have occurred within 40 km of a major city and not cause any fatalities. In this paper the authors have reflected on their experiences in Christchurch following the earthquake with a view to what worked, what didn’t, and what lessons can be learned from this for the benefit of Australian earthquake preparedness. Owing to the fact that most of the observed building damage occurred in Unreinforced Masonry (URM) construction, this paper focuses in particular on the authors’ experience conducting rapid building damage assessment during the first 72 hours following the earthquake and more detailed examination of the performance of unreinforced masonry buildings with and without seismic retrofit interventions.
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. More offices".
A photograph of the site of a demolished building in the city centre. Remnants of the building can be seen on the side of the building to the left. A Wilson Parking sign indicates that the space is going to be used for parking.
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. This bench will disappear".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Getting sorted. Most gear in place, still making adjustments".
A member of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Room 709 sofas".
A member of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Our office, Room 709".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Jess's desk. Viewed from my side of the couch".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Reception. This is where students used to come to enquire about support services".
A view of the UBS building at the University of Canterbury, seen from level 7 of the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. The University Book Shop building".
A member of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. South view over trees to the hills".
Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team Jess Hollis and Alan Hoskin in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Room 709 - Jess & Alan".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. House bar. This reception desk is not used now. A small kitchen is at the right".
Alan Hoskin, a member of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team, in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Bean bag. Alan wanted the beanbag but Jess said no".
Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team Jess Hollis, Paul Nicholls, Lei Zhang, and Susan Tull in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Moving day - collecting new keys. Lei, Paul, Susan, Jess".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Common area. More offices run along the north wall at the left. Through the doors are the male toilets and a stair well".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Common area. How will we make use of this large open area? Our offices are behind the glass wall, facing south".
Furniture and equipment packed up ready for the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's move to their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Waiting for the truck. An empty office, before the removal truck arrived".
Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. First briefing. Warren Marett, an acting manager from Deloittes (with tie), discusses our move with Electronic Learning Media staff; Alan Hoskin, Antoine Monti, Herbert Thomas, Paul Nicholls, and Jess Hollis".
Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team admire the view from their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. South window of our office. Our view looks out to the Port Hills and around to the south west, towards Halswell and Lincoln".
Furniture and equipment packed up ready for the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's move to their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Waiting for the movers. Our office is packed into orange crates, everything is labelled, where are the movers?".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Foyer lifts etc. Female toilets are off the foyer to the left. These lifts start at Level 2 of the Library, and are heavily used by students. (Once the building is repaired after the earthquake; several floors are still in a mess)".
A view of the ICTS building at the University of Canterbury, seen from level 7 of the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. We look down on the IT Building, which is doomed. The ugly draughty IT building is going to be demolished in the next campus revamp. The 'Butterfly Building' behind, originally the mainframe computer centre, will remain, as it's architecturally significant, apparently".
Alan Hoskin, a member of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team, in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. 700 hall with Alan. The corridor has a small seminar room at the end, and our offices on the right. To the left is the open sitting and reception area; we're trying to think of ways to make use of this".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. My desk. I hope to get blinds to cover this internal window. Later - blinds are not allowed, so I rotated the desk 180 degrees. My back is now facing the window, but I'm far enough away that people won't be able to read my screens - and I don't have to look at people looking at me".