The arcade: a study of the traditional concept of an arcade, and its application to contemporary Wellington

Abstract

After World War Two the concept of an arcade dissolved and disappeared, not to reappear again until the 1960's, as a distant relative of its traditional nineteenth century ancestor. Now in contemporary Wellington, the arcade has entered the consciousness of those who are discussing the future of the city as a form of life. Purpose This report shows how and to what degree the traditional concept of an arcade has been adopted, adapted and/or applied to the Wellington scene. The report is in essence relating the historical definition to the present. By evaluating a number of contemporary Wellington arcades, the report determines to what extent the success of any Wellington arcade is governed by its relationship to the traditional nineteenth century concept. Method The following supersition has been used as a basis for reasoning (hypothesis). The success of any contemporary Wellington arcade is governed primarily by the degree to which that arcade follows the traditionally accepted concept and characteristics of an arcade. This report starts by defining the traditional concept of an arcade. The concept is defined by describing a number of reoccurring elements and characteristics, which as a whole best define the basis of an arcade. These elements are not a strict criteria by which to define the traditional arcade, but instead collectively outline the concept as expressed and accepted by history. Thēse elements are also used as a basis for an elemental analysis of Contemporary Wellington arcades. Data on the success of Wellington arcades is then collated and interpreted. The report then uses this evaluation data to determine if and/or what relationship exists between the success of arcades in Wellington today and their conformity with the traditional characteristics of eighteenth and nineteenth century arcades. The report deals with the concept of an arcade in general and the design of Wellington arcades in particular. It is mainly concerned with those areas of design and planning which relate directly to success (refer to Section 3.4 for the definition of success).