Influences of/in regionalism

Abstract

The intention of this research report is to explore regionalism, as a theory of critical enquiry, through its influences, to gauge the appropriateness if it in the context of a specific example of regionalism. I hope to therefore explain the paradox of a general theory of the specific, by seeing how the general theory "holds up" to the specific. I hope to find out how much of the personal experience of regionalist architecture can be explained by theory. I have taken the general theory on regionalism to be writing, from Heidegger's existential theory of "place", in "Building, Dwelling, Thinking", to writing that attempts to give regionalism relevance in today's culture. I have used John Scott as an example of a regionalist architect, as regionalism of the specific. I have looked at one of John Scott's buildings from Hawkes Bay, because I am also from Hawkes Bay, that being his Apatu House at Ngamatea Station. For the part of the report, "General Theory", I have used a style of prose appropriate to this article and essay based research, with illustrations of overseas (more general to my mind, tending towards the iconic) examples. However, in the part, "Of The Specific", I have used a more poetic style of prose, which I think better explains the personal experience of architecture. My illustrations for this part include photographs of two examples of John Scott's architecture; of Our Lady Of Lourdes Church, Havelock North, and St Marys Church, Taradale, illustrating more general points that I make about his influences. The specific example of his architecture (Apatu House) that I concentrate on, though, becomes represented by a poetic journey in prose, and illustrated by sketches (and borrowed photographs). What I am assuming here is that the very nature of a general theory, including the necessary way in which it is written, precludes it from fully explaining the nature of the specific, which in turn, cannot be fully explained but with a more poetic (provocative) prose. These two aspects of regionalism, therefore, can be said to be influenced by, and influence, their respective prose. My conclusion, thereby, becomes an attempt to reconcile these prose styles, as much as the subject matter itself; to bridge the gap between the general and the specific.