Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who is internationally known for creating temporary housing for disaster victims using hardened cardboard tubes, heads up the project to make a new place of worship for the people of Christchurch.
The city was devastated by an earthquake by an earthquake in February 2011 when 185 people were killed and the many of the city’s buildings suffered extensive damage.
ChristChurch cathedral today (Getty images)
The new building aims to bring “hope and excitement” to the community. The city also has other notable temporary structures, including a shopping complex constructed from shipping containers, similar to Boxpark in London’s Shoreditch.
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Discussing the new project church spokesman Craig Dixon said “It’s a very economic building, allowing the life of the cathedral to continue. It allows the city to see hope rise. It allows the cathedral community to take some time over what they want to do about the building…”
The building will hold up to 700 worshippers and will also host concerts for the public. It is predicted to last at least 20 years and will cost NZ$5m (£2.6m).
