The detailing, materiality & construction of a classical building in a contemporary New Zealand context

Abstract

The questions I seek to answer are how a monumental classical building would be constructed (focusing on the construction of complex classical forms) and detailed in New Zealand?

How has the construction of classical buildings and their complex forms been accomplished overseas? Are we able to use the same, or similar methods? What new technologies could be utilized without undermining any classical construction principles? Principles such as perdurable construction, and the use of aesthetically pleasing materials.

There are two primary objectives of this project. The first is to reintroduce contemporary classical architectural design into New Zealand’s architectural academia. The second is to understand how such a design would be constructed within a modern building environment that has been barren of classical construction for the past eight decades. The design and construction of classical buildings still occurs in countries around the world, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, and these regions are readily equipped and resourced both in their services and materials to construct classical buildings

This project hopes to raise ideas regarding how modern materials and construction techniques have an impact on the aesthetics of classical architecture, and how the construction of complex classical forms can be achieved in New Zealand effectively and efficiently.

This document has been divided into two main parts; the first being the design of a classical building within a New Zealand urban environment. The second, being a discussion of the philosophical ideas regarding materials and structure, an introduction into the precedents of the past and present regarding classical detailing and construction, and finally, the detailing and constructional resolution of the design from Part 1. The design essentially acts as a catalyst to the detailing.

Project site: South east junction of Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD.