Deus Ex Machina

Abstract

This thesis proposes a multi-scale, adaptable theatre on the fringe of Wellington’s waterfront and city to revitalise the urban environment at both macro and micro scales. Through the activation of theatricality and exposing and expanding the foyer, an unconventional ‘in-between’ space becomes apparent between theatre and street.

Architecture brings a theatrical component to every part of our life but this gift is often not exploited to its fullest. The role of theatricality in everyday life is important, otherwise life would be dull and architecture would not add any value to society. Deus Ex Machina offers vibrancy back into everyday life through the performative qualities of theatre, looking beyond the theatricality of performance within theatres and towards the theatricality of the building itself, creating drama for both spectators of the theatre and members of the city.

This project argues that theatre’s history has led to an architectural typology that is generally shut-off from the external environment and therefore the surrounding city. It proposes that exposing the inner workings - the machine - of the theatre that are responsive to user’s needs will create a literal theatre machine that is a publically available civic space on Wellington’s waterfront, on a site where the current architecture is adding no value to its surroundings.