Abstract:
“Old Ideas can sometimes use new buildings; New ideas
must use old buildings’’1. According to Jane Jacobs, it is
mostly impossible for ‘vigorous’ streets to grow without
the existence of old buildings.2 The majority of all old and
abandoned buildings are causing serious problems in
various ways that influence their surrounding community.
These issues help to create withstanding stereotypes
as people continue to cement negative connotations
towards these buildings. To present a solution, this thesis
aims to unravel the course of how we can architecturally
reclaim and reuse buildings that stand in a state of
degradation. The term recovery represents the focus
of this thesis. James Corner defines recovery as “something
once lost, devalued, forgotten, or misplaced has
been found again, retrieved and brought forward with
renewed vitality”3 Corner’s definition exemplifies the
design strategy and process this thesis strives for.
The Tokomaru Bay Freezing Works Ruins located within
Gisborne District is an ideal subject for devising design
solutions. The business was of large significance towards
Tokomaru Bay as it initiated economic growth. Despite
shutting down in 1952, the remnants of these buildings
now stand as tangible evidence of the development of
the Tairawhiti region4.
Pre-existing architectural and design studies on the topic
of abandonment and preservation will be used to develop
Freezing Works. Thereby enabling a conclusive design
that leads to the outcome of evoking the memories of
Tokomaru Bay and bringing about coexistence between
people and an abandoned building.