Subterranean sustenance: architectural cutting and Newfoundland leftovers

In 1966, Stephenville, Newfoundland inherited a decommissioned United States air force base

and as a result gained an extensive collection of commercial, recreational and residential buildings.

However, military specific structures such as airplane hangers and subterranean shelters were

underutilized and are currently in a state of disrepair. This thesis explores the potential for these idle

buildings to become useful spaces, fully engaged with the community.

Several scholars have compared food preparation and architectural procedures; this thesis will

focus on a theoretical comparison between leftover food and recycled architecture, in particular the

vernacular food and building methodologies found in Newfoundland. Similar to salvageable food,

ruins of the former base will be a rich resource to be cut and recycled. The transformation of a

military bunker into a restaurant specializing in local cuisine has the potential to act as a catalyst for

building adaptation in Stephenville. This restaurant can also bridge the gap between the local

military history and Newfoundland tradition, resulting in a culturally significant design resolution.

‘Pataphysics, the science of imaginary solutions that was invented by Alfred Jarry (1873-1907),

will be a useful guide in the transformations of this site. ‘Pataphysics is a process that puts the past

beyond the future. Coupling architectural anatomy of existing local structures, with proposed

‘pataphysical design technologies’ will generate architectural expressions that can help to rectify

Stephenville’s neglected sites, animating their hidden beauty and historical importance, to create a

distinct solution reflective of the unique culture.