Underway at Last

Dedication and hard slog over more than a year has finally been rewarded. Construction on the Transitional (cardboard) Cathedral, that which history will consider a landmark moment in post quake Christchurch, began on
Tuesday July 24th. We are very much on the way to creating a building that will set a benchmark for design and construction in Christchurch. Local contracting company Naylor Love have undertaken the build. After working with our project team for many months now at no cost it’s fantastic to have them on board driving the project to its completion, hopefully by Christmas this year. As reported by the media earlier last week, we have building consent for the  foundations, allowing us to proceed with this part of the project. An application for consent on the building will shortly be lodged with council. The programme to Christmas completion is very tight but our team is focussed and prepared for the challenge. Lead Architect Shigeru Ban was in Christchurch the week of July 23rd and spend valuable time discussing design detail with the local team. Along with associate Yoshie Narimatsu, he is designing furniture and seating for the Cathedral – themed to the building’s overall design. I have no doubt that once the building is completed, it will draw significant international attention for its
unique style and construction. The story of Christchurch’s Transitional (cardboard) Cathedral is to be told in a book which will be available early in 2013. Edited by Andrew Barrie, Professor of Design at The University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning, it will feature articles, information and images, recording the building’s background and bringing to life. Funding will be a major challenge in the months ahead. A significant portion of the budget has still to be found. Some $1.3 million. The TCG (Transitional Cathedral Group) is working long and hard to source financial support and hope to report good progress in the months ahead. Part of that work involves inviting suppliers to contribute at or near cost. To date we have received enthusiastic support from every business approached. This is hugely encouraging and more than balances out the less negative comments we sometimes hear. The community is certainly stepping up as they begin to realise what this building will mean for our recovery and the future of Christchurch.
Rev Craig Dixon
Marketing and Development