"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.

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Year

Design:           2014

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Location

Christchurch, New Zealand

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Type

Competition

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Organizer

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) 

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Area

430 sq.m.