Since damage from the 2011 earthquake closed Christ Church Cathedral, the Cardboard Cathedral, also known as the Transitional Cathedral, has been the seat of the Anglican faith in Christchurch.
The building is designed by Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban, who is known for his work to house disaster victims using recycled cardboard tubes. His designs are temporary, inexpensive and very innovative.
The main materials used for the cathedral are cardboard tubes, timber and steel. The roof is made of polycarbon, and shipping containers form the walls. The foundation is concrete slab. The large triangular pieces of stained glass at the front reflect the rose window on the original cathedral. The building can seat around 700 people.
The Cardboard Cathedral hosts many services and events, provides music and arts programmes, provides facilities and resources, sharing in the community life of Christchurch.
Welcome to you, whoever you are – visitor, new person, regular or occasional churchgoer. You are welcome here, in this Anglican Cathedral for everyone, for people of all faiths and none. Dean Bosco Peters
https://www.cardboardcathedral.org.nz/
https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/stories/a-cathedral-made-out-of-cardboard/
Photo: Michal Klajban
