Cardboard Cathedral
This study has been made possible by funding of $50,000 from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust, a registered charity that is governed and operated by Trustees, and administered by a small Secretariat in the Department of Internal Affairs. Internationally renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has been working with Cathedral staff free of charge since May on the possibility of building a 'cardboard' structure as a temporary shared use facility. The brief was to design a building that would be sustainable, environmentally friendly, safe, durable, beautiful, innovative and versatile. On his second trip to Christchurch, Shigeru brought concept plans and a model for a 'Cardboard Cathedral'. (image above) The design is based around 64 cardboard tubes, 830mm in diameter and ranging in length from 17- 22 metres. Amazingly, building construction could be completed over a three month period. No small feat for a facility that will seat 700 plus. Costings are yet to be firmly tied down but are estimated to be in the area of NZ $4 million. This project is currently at a conceptual stage only and a feasibility study will be undertaken to determine its viability.
GENEROUS SUPPORT: LOCAL AND NATIONAL
There has been much generous support for the 'Cardboard Cathedral' project thus far. Air New Zealand has covered air travel and The George Hotel, free accommodation. Architectural firm Warren and Mahoney, engineering Holmes Consulting Group, project management company BECA, Chambers PR and Sonoco NZ Ltd (cardboard tube manufacturer) have all given of their time and expertise free of charge. If this project proceeds, it will be testament to the commitment and altruism of many.
WHY CARDBOARD?
Cardboard is an ideal building material because it’s readily available, recyclable and surprisingly strong. “The strength of the building has nothing to do with the strength of the material,” says Shigeru Ban. “Even concrete buildings can be destroyed by earthquakes very easily. But paper buildings cannot be destroyed by earthquakes.” It’s also consistently low-cost. Normally after disasters the price of building materials goes higher, but since this is not a traditional building material, it’s very easy to get,” he says. Ban’s temporary buildings are weatherproof, fire resistant and secure, and have lasted for upwards of 20 years. They can be transported easily and deconstructed and recycled when their working life is over. If the Christchurch 'Cardboard Cathedral proceeds, the cardboard tubes will be locally produced.
CARDBOARD CATHEDRAL : FOCUS FOR THE CITY
We anticipate a Cardboard Cathedral would carry on the Cathedral’s tradition of open hospitality and would be a focus for a number of community ventures:
- A central venue for concerts
- An exhibition space for local visual arts
- An educational/interpretive centre dealing with sustainable living
- A contemplative space for people to reflect on the aftermath of the earthquake
- A venue for Civic Services which have included ANZAC Day, the opening of the Antarctic Season, the Floral Festival, regimental services and others.
The Cardboard Cathedral would be the first substantial “re-build” in the wake of the earthquake and welcome at a time when hundreds of other buildings are being removed. It would be a symbol of hope for a rebuilt, renewed Christchurch. It could have an ‘after life’ as a small artisan retail space, an expo centre, a concert hall or a covered market, when a permanent cathedral is rebuilt.
