Architecture
A cardboard cathedral
Completed in 2013, this structure is said to have a fifty-year life span.
Image courtesy of: Naylor Love
In 2011, an earthquake devastated Christchurch, a beautiful city in the southern part of New Zealand. The 6.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed a vast portion of the city; and one of the victims was the city’s iconic Anglican cathedral. Built in 1864, this prized landmark was originally built based on the English model of Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral.
As a temporary “replacement”, the Christchurch Cathedral was replaced by the Cardboard Cathedral, otherwise known as the Transitional Cathedral. Wow, is it interesting beyond belief!
Ban began using inexpensive and recycled materials in architecture long before the age of “environmental friendliness” was upon us.
Image courtesy of: Dezeen
The Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban, is well versed in using paper materials for construction. In fact, Ban developed the recycled tubes often used as emergency relief building material in 1986. He said, “The strength of the building has nothing to do with the strength of the material. Even concrete buildings can be destroyed by earthquakes very easily, but paper buildings cannot.”
Even though this was supposed to be a temporary structure, Ban hopes that all the enthusiasm surrounding the cathedral might make it a permanent building in Christchurch!
Image courtesy of: Inhabitat, photographed by: Jocelyn Kinghorn
The Cardboard Cathedral is constructed from a simple A-frame structure made from 98 equally-sized cardboard tubes and 8 steel shipping containers. These containers are said to be one of the safest, most earthquake-proof materials in the world.
Each tube is coated with a waterproof polyurethane and flame-retardant surface and the roof is made from semi-transparent polycarbonate. The tubes surround a colored glass window made from tessellating triangles which are all decorated with images from the original cathedral’s rose windows.
The two-inch gaps between the tubes allow light to filter into the cathedral creating a peaceful and airy atmosphere within.
Image courtesy of: Design Boom, photographed by: Dean Kozanic
The simple structure sits on a deep concrete foundation with 9 shipping containers on top meant to stabilize the cathedral’s sloping walls. The walls come together at a point 70 feet above the altar and are comprised of 96 cardboard tubes.
Officials wanted Ban to use his signature cardboard tubes; but the Japanese architect wanted to use the locally manufactured tubes. These tubes were a touch too small to support the structure, so each tube was reinforced internally with a local laminated wood beam.
Shigeru Ban’s cathedral designs…
Image courtesy of: Design Boom
The cathedral’s capacity is 700 persons; and in addition to a place of worship, the cathedral also serves as an event space and a concert hall.
