Transitional (Cardboard) Cathedral
A temporary post-earthquake cathedral designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, primarily using paper tubes as its structure. It is a symbol of Christchurch's post-disaster rebuilding.
The major earthquake that struck Christchurch in February 2011 severely damaged the Christ Church Cathedral, the city-center landmark in the Gothic Revival style. The cathedral is still under restoration. So that the diocese could hold services, Shigeru Ban, Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize laureate, designed this 'Transitional Cathedral,' which was completed in 2013. The main structure is a triangular A-frame made of 96 giant paper tubes, each about 60 cm in diameter, covered with a polycarbonate roof. The base includes an annex built from 8 shipping containers. The front features a large window of 49 triangular colored glass panels, with patterns taken from the rose window of the original cathedral. It can hold about 700 people and is used for music concerts and community events as well as worship. Admission is free (donations welcome), and it is open roughly 09:00 to 17:00. Please keep quiet during services. Nearby, the '185 Empty Chairs' art installation commemorates the 185 people who died in the earthquake with different white chairs. Getting there: It is within walking distance of the city center and sits next to Latimer Square.
Opening hours
About 9:00 am–5:00 pm (except during services)
Nearby sights
- 185 Empty Chairs
- Margaret Mahy Family Playground
- New Regent Street & Christchurch Tram
- ChristChurch Cathedral & Cathedral Square
- Riverside Market
- Bridge of Remembrance
- Quake City
- Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū