Space and a legible cityscape : A design proposal for Victoria Square, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract

Current public architectural activity in Christchurch, excluding the new Central Police Station, is focused upon sites adjacent to the public open space of Victoria Square. The two building complexes concerned will fulfil extremely divergent roles: (1) A civic complex comprising town hall, theatre, restaurant, banqueting hall, library and administrative building. (2) A law court complex, comprising Supreme, Magistrates and Children’s Courts, library and administrative facilities. Both complexes will cater for intensive public use, and therefore, their influence will extend far beyond their immediate environs. Both complexes are beside the Avon River, a lineal element which unifies the public space of urban Christchurch. Their architectural influence will be profound. This major design study submitted for the Diploma in Landscape Architecture presents detailed site survey and analysis that considers the spatial volumes which relate directly to, or are under the direct precinctual influence of the two architectural complexes, resulting in a concept for the preparation of a detailed re-design of Victoria Square, as a whole, providing for maximum social and environmental amenity.