David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Christchurch, New Zealand in 2017 – the Transitional (“Cardboard”) Cathedral

The big earthquake in 2011 seriously damaged the stone Christchurch Cathedral, making it unusable for worship services. A temporary facility was needed to accommodate the congregation, so architect Shigeru Ban was engaged to provide one, which was constructed from 8 steel cargo containers and 96 big cardboard tubes (and other stuff). I was in Christchurch in 2017 and was privileged to attend a service in this very interesting structure. It has been deemed permanent now and expected to endure for at least 50 years. Here are some photos of that Cathedral.

The Exterior

DSC_3958.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (the front entrance)


DSC_3956.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (the entrance plaza)


DSC_3955.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (side view, showing the cargo containers in place)

The Interior

DSC_3954.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (the huge window above the entrance)


DSC_3948.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (long view, back to front)


DSC_3949.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (the Chancel – even the Cross is made of tubes)


DSC_3953.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (showing some of the construction – the curtains conceal the cargo containers also used as rooms)


DSC_3952.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (Choir warmup before the service)


DSC_3951.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (this Lectern is an artifact from the original Cathedral)


DSC_3950.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr (the Organist rehearsing before the service; it’s a Rodgers electronic organ)

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Very interesting place.

Ourspolair

Innovative architect and resulting building. Excellent images as usual. Stay well and thanks for sharing.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

+1 for very interesting.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Exellent set and story, David!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Thanks, NMGal. I appreciate your comment.

Ourspolair, thank you very much. I hope to (stay well).

Richard, I am pleased you liked it. Thanks.

Mike, so glad you came. Thank you.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Good shots and interesting concept, David. I was down there 2 years earlier in 2015 and we couldn't get close to the cathedral yet, the whole area basically was a construction site. Good to see how much progress they made by the time you got down there. It looks like they have now decided to rebuild the old cathedral but are still in the concept stage - from what I remember from an earlier visit in 1995, it was a lovely structure and quarter.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Thanks, Joe. It is an interesting building. I'm glad to learn they do plan to rebuild the stone Cathedral, though.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

That’s some structure, and you photographed it well, David.

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Excellent images David.

merrytexan Loc: georgia

beautiful building and the windows are so colorful...good job on all the shots, david!

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

👍👍

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Very creative use of materials and good design work. You documented this very well.
--Bob

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great series and interesting story, David.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Very creative!

Great pix... bwa