Canterbury Earthquake, 22 February 2011
The 6.3 earthquake which hit Canterbury on 22 February 2011 at 12:51pm caused extensive damage to the Dorset Street Flats. The courtyard walls collapsed, cracking appeared in the concrete block-work, liquefaction occurred beneath the building floor plate, and the land slumped westwards towards the Avon River, causing a split between the two blocks as the land moved. The flats were later stickered as uninhabitable and in danger of collapse, though this was later removed. The red brick stable block at the rear however was considered dangerous and unrepairable, and was demolished in October 2011. |
Rebuild architect, Greg Young
Architect Greg Young of Young Architects has been tasked with leading the Dorset Street Flats rebuild project. Greg is uniquely placed, in having worked for both the flats original architects (Warren & Mahoney) and engineers (Holmes Consulting), before forming his own company in 2003. Here, Greg answers some questions about taking on such an important project. |