Boat Building Architecture: A Living Museum

Abstract

his research is grounded in understanding the significance of maritime architecture and the boat building history of New Zealand. The aim is to create an architecture that uses the built form to reflect a maritime identity. This will be in the form of a living museum which incorporates and preserves the techniques of traditional timber boat construction while creating an interactive experience for the public and users of the space.

Existing maritime museums are often static structures that focus on showing the past. The architecture has little to do with the contents of the museum beyond being an oversized shed. The architecture of the buildings does not always reflect their purpose or significance. The objective is therefore to involve the user of the space in the development of the New Zealand maritime identity and boat construction through the architecture.

Wellington has an extensive harbour, waterfront and boat building history that hasn’t been utilized in a historical and architectural sense around the city. This research will also look at the urban context of the site and it’s early development around the port.

The site is on the Wellington waterfront because this relates it to the city, sea and local area. It also provides a key nodal point on the waterfront complimentary to Te Papa and the city Museum, marking the edge of the city and the public walkway around the harbour. The site becomes a bridge between factory, industry and end destination.

The project takes the form of 4 connected structures, each representing a different stage of development and use of materials in New Zealand boat building history. These structures will also be seen as a representation of the production of timber boats, which will be built in stages through the museum. This arrangement will form an archipelago of buildings in the harbour, linking it to the New Zealand coast, and expressing the unique identity of the Pacific region.