Elevation: Folding the Interior

Abstract

This research anticipates that by repurposing the interior of existing and vacant historic architecture, significant to the community it serves, the life span of buildings can be prolonged. This in turn will lead to the progress of New Zealand’s history in architecture.

This research proposes to introduce a transient intervention, in which design disregards the site context and is influenced by the historic materials. The design offers new and relative functions for buildings, thereby offering a stay of demolition, for a period of time. It reasons that the process of repurposing can be done exclusively through interior development, using installation methods that will not compromise the integrity of the historic materials. This will enable the design to be removed and the architecture to be returned to the condition it was in prior to the engagement of this research design. It is assumed by research that at this time the building’s historic value will outweigh the perceived financial gains of redevelopment.

Change is inevitable in society. However, architecture is not so malleable and tends to resist change. It needs help adjusting with time. When communities develop, buildings do not always meet their increasing demands. They can become too small or the programme loses relevance. According to Johannes Cramer and Stefan Breitling “architecture should outlive humans” (Cramer), however, Heritage New Zealand notes that in the last fourteen years 26 historically listed buildings have been demolished to accommodate redevelopment, in New Zealand.

This research takes three sites from Lower Hutt to represent this architecture in need. Each will give new insight for physical material and intangible features which are important to retain when working to preserve historic architecture.