Christchurch’s new transitional cathedral was open to the public yesterday (6th August) for the first time, though plenty of workmen and machines were still working hard putting on the finishing touches.
The brain child of Japanese “emergency architect” Shigeru Ban, the cathedral was constructed with 96 locally-made cardboard tubes, using shipping containers as foundations. The building’s entire outer skin is translucent polycarbonate. It can accommodate 700 people.
It has been built in Latimer Square, several blocks from the city’s original Anglican cathedral, whose fate is still unclear after earthquake damage. However triangular glass panels at one end of the new cathedral feature images from the rose window in the original cathedral.
There is an opening festival for the next week, including an organ concert on the new Rodgers Infinity organ, Sweet Adelines, poetry and readings, a violin recital, jazz, Kapa Haka (Maori culture group) and choirs.
The couple in the aisle was reminiscing about being married in the original cathedral many years ago.
Christchurch trams resume post earthquake, click here.
annettewoodford 
Thank you for the update, and as always the good photos. Are the “stained glass” triangles also polycarbonate?
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Thanks for your comment. The images were taken from a high-resolution photograph of the original rose window, were printed onto glass panels, and then fired in a kiln.
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Neil Barnett,
I was with one of the ISAR teams that was camped in Latimer Square two years ago – this is such a beautiful transformation! Good luck to you all. Thinking of you still!!
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Thanks for your positive comment Neil, and also for your help two years ago in our crisis. Christchurch is transforming into a modern city of quite some beauty, with the Avon River having more prominence in the new plan for the central city.
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