THE BIG C
MEMORIAL FOR CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE
"The Big C"stands for
Canterbury Christchurch’s Smile
Care 185 souls, their families and rescue co operative.
Connect Communities and Ecosystem by C shape Layout Footbridge
Can Maori Indigenous knowledge for disaster’s indicator ability.
River level change dramatically
Fish float and align in one direction, leap out of water, move violently, die.
Eels crowd onshore, disappear.
Trees leaves shake without wind.
Birds go wild, flock restlessly, cry weirdly, stop singing, some die.
Smiling to Nature and Spirit: Maori vernacular architecture
The gable shape outline bridge is metaphorically Maori vernacular architecture, Whare nui - Whare Whakairo (big house - carved and decorated house) which represents a body, the personification of an ancestor.
Long Span Steel Space Frame Truss = Whare nui’s ridge beam = Spine
Tensile Structure = Tukutuku (woven panels) = ribs
Anti Seismic Hinge Joint System connect the main spine with 3 poles steel column in order to transmit shear forces to foundation.
The story telling is illustrated on 96 metre long, see through steel grate floor, like Tukutuku traditional latticework technique.
185 names are in the air
185 names are craved on clear glass which installed with tensile sling.
185 bird houses are fitted with the Space Frame Truss ridge, as spirit habitat with disaster alert.
​
Year
Design: 2014
​
Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
​
Type
Competition
​
Organizer
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA)
​
Area
430 sq.m.









