Preserving Heritage

Heritage buildings remind us of our history, people, and events. Hence, it is important to preserve them for future generations. However, in Wellington, many heritage buildings are being demolished or abandoned by owners and developers as it seems like an easy option to choose. Often, where the building is retained only the outer walls are preserved. A new structure is erected behind the original façade, which only serves as a reminder of the heritage, a practice referred to as façadism.

This thesis aims to focus on maintaining and revealing the physical, social, and cultural heritage of the Tramway Hotel which is located on 114 Adelaide Road and corner of Drummond Street. The aim is to preserve heritage value in historic buildings, specifically the (former) Tramway Hotel. This research will mainly concentrate on the approaches to restoration and adaptation techniques to explore the possibilities of preserving the heritage value and integrity of the Tramway Hotel. This will also include seismic strengthening from the interior of the building. It will be achieved through research and analysis of relevant literature and case studies to design and test possibilities.