Cardboard cathedral proposed for Christchurch

Photo / Mark Mitchell

Plans for a cathedral made from cardboard for quake-damaged Christchurch have been unveiled today.

The proposed temporary building designed as a substitute for Christchurch Cathedral was outlined by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, The Press reported.

The $4 million A-frame building would be created mostly out of locally sourced cardboard tubes, with shipping containers used as foundations.

Mr Ban said the cathedral would hold 700 people and take only three months to build.

A stained glass window would be designed by a local artist, he said.

Christchurch Cathedral Dean Peter Beck said he hoped the building could be completed in time for the first anniversary of the February 22 quake, which claimed 181 lives and destroyed the central city's cathedral.

A $50,000 feasibility study into the project by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Trust has been launched.

Mr Ban has built cardboard homes, schools, shelters and a cathedral for disaster zones across the world.

- NZPA