Case Study #1

I will be conducting a series of Case Studies to help both myself and those involved with my approach to Project 2 to; understand, test, experiment and support my design process and outcome. The first Case Study will look at the Re:START Mall designed by Anton tritt and the Buchan Group in the New Zealand town of Christchurch.

Re:START Mall Christchurch, New Zealand

In response to the series of major earthquakes that resulted in almost 800 buildings being demolished in Christchurch in Septmember of 2010, the Re:START Mall is situated amongst the remianing Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings that once dominated the town centre. Comprised of brightly coloured, retro-fitted shipping containers, stacked and arranged in various configurations, the new and temporary pedestrian mall exhibits an array of high-end and boutique shops, cafes and restaurants, and is surrounded and permeated with ample seating, landscaping and amenities.

Pedestrian Oriented Mall Layout

It is the flexible potential of this approach to designing for 'Community' that is especially pertenent to my architectural intervention for Project 2. I not only love the aesthetic of the Re:START Mall, with its bright, cheerful palette and exposed structure (which gives a sense of stability and safety in the post-earthquake region), but also the 'in-between' spaces that are generated through this modular, ubiquitous design. There are both vertical, horizontal and diagonal (in 3 dimensions also) interaction opportunities for users which is achieved by the porosity and permeability of the spaces as a whole.

It is truly a space for People.

Image reference: http://aboutarchitecture.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/constant-and-vision-vs-reality/