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New Zealand: plans for cardboard church unveiled


Takatori Catholic Church, Kobe,  Wiki image

Takatori Catholic Church, Kobe, Wiki image

Anglicans in Christchurch, New Zealand have found an innovative solution to replace their Victorian Gothic cathedral which was destroyed in last February's earthquake. The new structure, designed by the award-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, will be built of recycled cardboard. This temporary building will be made with cardboard tubes, wooden beams, structural steel and cement pad, and is expected to last more than 20 years.

Mr Ban has designed several cardboard buildings, including a Catholic church in Japan after the 1995 Kobe earthquake. One advantage of building with cardboard is that it is inexpensive and quick to assemble. It can also withstand earth tremours better than some more traditional materials and is more eco-friendly.

No decision has yet been made for the Catholic Cathedral which was badly damaged, but not destroyed by the quake. The diocese is still considering different options.

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