Cardboard Cathedral

Popped in while exploring Christchurch and was honestly impressed — simple but stunning. Love how they turned something so unusual into a powerful symbol after the earthquake. It was worth a quick visit! It’s not huge, but the architecture is awesome, and there’s a lot of meaning behind it. Nice quiet place to just sit and take it in for a bit. Didn’t expect to be so moved by a cardboard building! It's modern, clever, and surprisingly warm inside. It's definitely a must-see if you're in the area. Closing time is 4pm

What a beautiful church. I felt lucky to have the chance to visit. It’s free to enter, and the most impressive part is that the main structure is made of cardboard tubes — really amazing.

Interesting Cathedral - built as an interim replacement of the Christchurch cathedral damaged in Earthquake. Gets it name from the cardboard tubes used for the walls and roof. Interiors looks pretty simple (viewed from outside, couldn't enter the church as it was closed). Stain glass on the facade looks nice.

I had visited Cardboard catherial few days ago and it was amazing and The Cardboard Cathedral was designed by the Japanese architect Shigeru Ban in association with Warren and Mahoney and opened in August 2013. The church gets its nickname from the use of over 90 large cardboard tubes for its walls and roof, it was designed to serve as a temporary home for the Anglican community, as well as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and other civic events.

This is an amazing church. It's unique and beautiful, but there's more here. It's open to the public, and I feel it is a church for the people. It's made of cardboard tubes, containers, and concrete and has a story. In 2011, Christchurch suffered a devastating earthquake, killing 185 people. As you walk around the church and the town, what I found is that it brought people together. Class, economics, and other things that divide people were put aside. At the end of the day, they were neighbors. The focus is on helping everyone. The church is actually called the Transitional Cathedral. I will add an information sheet about it.

The Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch is far more than just a temporary place of worship it's a profound statement of human ingenuity and the enduring spirit of a community rising from devastation. Architect Shigeru Ban's innovative design, utilizing sturdy cardboard tubes as a primary structural element, is not only visually arresting but also speaks volumes about sustainable and resourceful construction. Approaching the cathedral, the warm, natural tones of the cardboard create an unexpected sense of solidity and grace. Stepping inside, one is immediately struck by the ethereal quality of the light filtering through the triangular windows and the translucent roof. This creates a serene and uplifting atmosphere, conducive to reflection and peace. The soaring height of the structure, achieved with such seemingly humble materials, is truly awe-inspiring. It's a testament to the strength and versatility of cardboard when engineered with vision and precision. Beyond its architectural novelty, the Cardboard Cathedral holds deep symbolic significance for the people of Christchurch. It served as a beacon of hope and a central gathering place in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, offering solace and a sense of continuity during a period of immense upheaval. Its continued presence is a reminder of the city's journey towards recovery and its commitment to rebuilding. The acoustics within the cathedral are also noteworthy, creating a beautiful space for music and spoken word. Attending a service or simply spending a few moments in quiet contemplation within its walls offers a unique and moving experience. It's a space that manages to feel both temporary and enduring, a testament to the human capacity for creativity and resilience in the face of adversity. While its temporary nature is acknowledged, the Cardboard Cathedral has become an integral part of Christchurch's identity. It's a powerful symbol of loss, recovery, and innovation, attracting visitors from around the world who come to admire its unique design and understand its profound significance. A visit to this remarkable structure is not just an architectural experience it's an opportunity to witness the strength of the human spirit embodied in cardboard. A truly essential stop when in Christchurch.

Beautiful cathedral that's built as a transitional cathedral after the 2011 earthquake destroyed the original cathedral. When I visited, it was not open but I could see the chairs and altar through the glass door. The original cathedral is getting renovated.

unfortunately, I could not go inside, because close, but from outside looks nice and different then a regular church, sure modern; i like very much the outside statue of the " rising Christ". nice felling and good vibes.

We wanted to visit the Christchurch Cathedral which was severely damaged from the 2011 earthquake. We walked along the Avon River and immensely enjoyed the walk. Due to the funding issues it is taking much longer time for the reconstruction, however, around 2013 a transitional cathedral (aka Cardboard Cathedral) was built. A Japanese disaster architect built it pro bono. Wikipedia states: Materials used include 60-centimetre (24 in)-diameter cardboard tubes, timber and steel. The roof is of polycarbon, with eight shipping containers forming the walls. The foundation is concrete slab. The architect wanted the cardboard tubes to be the structural elements, but local manufacturers could not produce tubes thick enough and importing the cardboard was rejected. The 96 tubes, reinforced with laminated wood beams, are "coated with waterproof polyurethane and flame retardants" with two-inch gaps between them so that light can filter inside. Instead of a replacement rose window, the building has triangular pieces of stained glass. The building seats around 700 people. It serves as a conference venue as well as a cathedral. It was designed to last 50 years instead of being permanent. There are several volunteers working here and they really took their time explaining the history and how this church came to be now.

We went here after visiting the large but damaged cathedral downtown. I've visited many churches and cathedrals and this one really is unique. It was constructed fairly quickly after the earthquake damaged the other one and those who attended services there needed a place to worship. As a result, you see construction materials you don't normally see. The beams that make up the sides of the A frame roof are cardboard. Also, I'm not sure what they did with the stained glass window above the entrance, but it's different and it looks good. Really what I think of the Cardboard Cathedral is that it is probably the best environmentally friendly church I've ever seen. But more than that, the church shows the resilience of the people of Christchurch. It's really a sight to see. There's a museum/gift shop where you can learn a little about the church. If you are in the area, stop by and check it out!

It's been a few weeks since I visited the Cardboard Cathedral and I'm still pondering it. I've been to many architecturally interesting buildings but this one stands out. Even in the absence of its back story, it would still be an extraordinary building. Cardboard, shipping containers and plastic don't sound like the kinds of things you should build a cathedral out of. You'd expect such components would make it look cheap and tacky. On the contrary, it's a building that is both gorgeous and practical. It's open during the day so if possible go for a walk around inside to take a closer look. It's even more profound given it represents a new beginning for the community after the horrific earthquake of 2011 left the original cathedral a few blocks away so badly damaged it still lies in ruins. The Cardboard Cathedral is a deeply moving testament to the resilience and creativity of the people of Christchurch.

I must admit that I had only heard about this place and never seen any photos, so I expected a modest size Cathedral as it was only supposed to be temporary. Needless to say I was very surprised at it size. I really enjoyed the stain glass frontage, and as for the cardboard tube roof, seats, and alter. It was so refreshing to see new thinking for a new city. When visiting Christchurch, this IS a must see for it's innovation if nothing else.

After the reviews I'd read I was expecting something amazing made from cardboard but I wasn't amazed. I think it's an architectual feat for sure, but inspiring, not really. As with all churches (and bviously this is only my humble opinion) the money would be better spent elsewhere. Preserving old buildings as part of our heritage and history is important, but spending money on hugely expensive new church buildings? There is a strong body of local opinion that feels the money could have been spent restoring the old Cathedral but I feel money would be better spent on a community centre that encompasses everyone's needs.