Architects Shigeru Ban to build Cardboard cathedral in New Zealand

Date
16 April 2012

Since it was controversially declared that St John’s church – damaged during the largest of the earthquakes in New Zealand last year –would not be repaired, a replacement has now been announced. The “transitional church” – not expected to stand for more than 30 years – has been designed by architects Shigeru Ban who proposed a cathedral made of cardboard. It’s a technology the Japanese firm are confident using, with paper projects reaching back to 1989 including a library, theatre, emergency shelter environments and even a bridge. In Christchurch, the vast cardboard tubes, 20 feet at their apex, with wooden beams, concrete floor and geometric stain glass reflecting the triangular form of the building, will create an economic and acoustic space for worship, concerts and events.

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Shigeru Ban: Cardboard Cathedral model

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Shigeru Ban: Cardboard Cathedral model

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Shigeru Ban: Cardboard Cathedral sketch

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Bryony Quinn

Bryony was It’s Nice That’s first ever intern and worked her way up to assistant online editor before moving on to pursue other interests in the summer of 2012.

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