REMARKABLES
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre
Remarkables Park
Queenstown
New Zealand
The Restoration of Zero
Zero can be taken as having two distinct expressions-
I. The Whole Unaffected Object, the solid- Undamaged, unexcavated at the initial point of conception.
II. The Pure Void, Nothing. At a starting point before the addition or forming of solids.
If we look at these two states as the two extremes on a scale of solid to void we begin to see that they can be considered as the same points on a cyclical journey. As the two overlap one begins a journey towards the other, they can potentially meet in the middle arriving at the same moment of volume. It is then the relationship and balance of the two that comes to speak of forms. How they play with each other or fight as the case may be. But if we keep in mind that the two can be taken as the same, each acts as an equally strong structural forces in the design process.
The Healing Journey
Looking at psychology and processes of mental healing we take the unaffected person as the whole. Trauma causes a displacement or separation as the human mind disconnects from an experience in order to continue normally. This ideal of ‘normal’ as relating to the whole however is now impossible as the state of zero no longer exists. Instead through therapy, one reconnects with the displacement establishing a new set of parameters for being which encompass the extended self and a new whole is established. The new whole can be considered to include the original, the displaced and the interstitial space between both- the interstitial being the ability to cope with trauma as imparted by therapy. What we now have is a new state of zero empowered with the understanding of experiences survived.
Aerial view of Queenstown bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Site is located on the northern shore of last sharp bend on the river Kawarau before it enters the lake.
View of Queenstown bay
Ground floor plans and Upper floor plans above
The structure is cross laminated timber frame. This allows for easy transportation of pre-fabricated components to the isolated region of Otawa. Each element is digitally fabriacted and assembeld on-site. This method of construction allows for clean lines on the interior and in-situ furniture elements but with the warmth of timber finishes.
