Immigrant church architecture and a community of faith: A site redevelopment of an existing community church ex-noodle factory

Abstract

How might the existing ex-noodle factory Christian community centre of ECF Holy Word Church of Auckland in East Tāmaki be upgraded to meet the needs of their Chinese immigrant congregation? This thesis question investigates the nature of the immigrant church, the theology behind church architecture typologies and strategies for Chinese church construction to achieve an appropriate centre. After a change of immigration policy in 1987, New Zealand saw an influx of immigrants outside of existing Anglo-Celtic communities and their established churches. Chinese immigrants who converted to Christianity in New Zealand faced the challenge of establishing a new church community within limited means. Over years of growth and acculturation, the question of survival changed to a consideration of an architecture which reflects the communities’ aspirations for distinctiveness and cultural identity. An entirely new project is proposed which subverts the local warehouse parking typology. Using a courtyard garden plan the church directly faces the street and generates connections within its main functions through the courtyard. These functions are a main worship hall, a side prayer hall, a dining hall and kitchen, classrooms and offices. The hip and gable Chinese roof architecture is utilised to signify the church’s Chinese ethnic identity. The parking is placed underground. Inspiration is drawn from Rudolf Schwarz’s ideas of centrality in church building, central space in Christian church architecture, and the church group building archetype. The site strategy involves the referencing of Chinese domestic architecture and the courtyard garden as it reflects the connections between Chinese spirituality, family gathering and nature. Many other sacred space typologies and individual works were studied and modelled in a long iterative process at the site planning design stage. The architectural precedents were chosen for their spatial qualities afforded and their value to a Chinese community life. This proposed design can provide Chinese immigrants a space for worshipping God and a place to call home. It hopes to shed light into future immigrant church architecture for a culturally diverse society such as New Zealand.