Through the use of adaptive reuse strategy and spatial intervention this project aims to maintain the Palmer Head Naval Radar Stations historical program as a shelter for observation/surveillance. The site was selected for its elevated position providing a larger field of view over Wellington’s harbor entrance and the Cook Straight as well as allowing the radar equipment a greater range than what would have been possible at sea level. This project will amplify the sites history to create a scenic experience of the surrounding landscape by creating a relationship between the landscape and the existing forms of the structures on site. Users will gain an understanding of the sites historical program as a defensive shelter for those operating the radar equipment as well as the radar equipment itself while experiencing a unique highly controlled contemporary visual experience of the landscape that this scenic vantage point offers.
