Post postal: The proposed redevelopment of the vacated NZ Post site in Birkenhead
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Other Title
Authors
Liyu, Eric
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Architecture (Professional)
Grantor
Unitec, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Date
2023
Supervisors
McConchie, Graeme
Su, Bin
Su, Bin
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Birkenhead (Auckland, N.Z.)
Auckland (N.Z.)
New Zealand
adaptive reuse of buildings
urban regeneration
community development
sustainable architecture
heritage buildings
Auckland Unitary Plan
Auckland (N.Z.)
New Zealand
adaptive reuse of buildings
urban regeneration
community development
sustainable architecture
heritage buildings
Auckland Unitary Plan
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Liyu, E. (2023) Post postal: The proposed redevelopment of the vacated NZ Post site in Birkenhead (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional)). Unitec, Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6827
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION
How can the vacated NZ Post Office and site at the centre of Birkenhead’s Highbury shopping area be reactivated and enlivened through a development involving strategic adaptive reuse of the existing buildings?
ABSTRACT
Highbury, the retail and commercial hub of Birkenhead, has been in a rapid state of development since its conception. From its humble beginnings as a farmland, the district has rapidly evolved into serving as the town centre of Birkenhead, with more development to come. With the population exponentially increasing, questions arise as to how Highbury will provide for its growing community. This project considers two specific buildings located in the centre of Highbury - the now defunct Birkenhead Post Office and the adjacent Telephone Exchange – and how they can be adequately utilised to assist in the support of this community growth.
While the Birkenhead Post Office has served the surrounding community on its Highbury site since the early 1960s, its use has finally ceased and is currently abandoned. The old Telephone Exchange building built in the early 1950s, is still in use; but occupies, with the post office, what has become a prime location for redevelopment and community use. Furthermore, this site and these buildings have existed since Highbury’s early stages of densification, so using adaptive reuse conservation techniques, rather than replacement and site redevelopment, will be beneficial towards honouring the history of Highbury.
Research has focused on the historical and social context of Birkenhead and its proposed future under the Auckland Unitary Plan, to formulate a programme for this project which addresses the anticipated needs of its growing community. It includes both the adaptive reuse of the two existing buildings for public social use, and an associated ‘new-build’ for two residential apartments.
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