Overview
The research focus of the pilot project is the heritage survey and restoration planning of one of the last remaining wooden buildings from the German colonial era in Apia, Samoa. The 'House for the Agricultural Expert' was designed and built in 1914 by Richard Schöneich. In 2024, we will assess the overall condition of the building, and record in detail the authenticity of the structure and any changes to the original design. Digital plans are defined as a basis for planning and recommendations are made for establishing structural integrity for future use.
Samoa's architectural heritage is constantly being reshaped, most recently with the demolition of the "Old Court House" in Apia in 2020. Structural remains from the time of the German occupation of Samoa are becoming increasingly rare, which makes an initiative to record and document the remaining cultural heritage sites even more urgent. The project was initiated on the initiative of the Samoan population with a German migration background. The support of the project by the Samoan government was secured in an exploratory trip in 2023.