Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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Threads of Time

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thesis
posted on 2025-04-13, 02:52 authored by Kattia Duncan

New Zealand’s built environment holds invaluable stories that contribute to our nation’s history. However, as time has passed and communities have evolved, these tangible structures and the stories within have been demolished. Their memory reduced to a sign lining the forecourt where the structure once stood. The Dunedin Stock Exchange Building, constructed in 1869 and demolished in 1969, was a key landmark on Princes Street, established during the city’s development from the Gold Rush era. Throughout the century, it housed three occupations: the first University of New Zealand, the head office of The Colonial Bank, and The Stock Exchange. Now, over 50 years after its demolition, the building has been replaced, and the memory has been lost. Using this building as an example, the thesis argues how the floorplans of the three occupancies can uncover the intangible stories, preserving the building’s cultural essence and re-engaging the community with its lost history. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Gaston Bachelard, Marco Frascari, and Robin Evans, the research investigates how the ‘ghosts’ of the building, interpreted from the floorplans, conjure glimpses of the lost space, evoking memories and access to the reverie. Finally, the study explores how these interpreted glimpses of design interventions can be reintroduced into the modern streetscape, capturing the memory and fostering a renewed sense of cultural continuity. This thesis challenges conventional approaches to architectural heritage preservation, proposing imaginative and sensory-driven strategies to re-establish a connection to our lost architecture.

History

Copyright Date

2025-04-13

Date of Award

2025-04-13

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Architecture

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Architecture (Professional)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Outcome code

130405 Conserving the historic environment; 130403 Conserving intangible cultural heritage

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

2 Strategic basic research

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

Wellington School of Architecture

Advisors

McCarthy, Christine