Corrugated Cathedral Proposed

Corrugated board may play a key role in resurrecting a landmark in Christchurch, NZ, that was leveled in February’s earthquake.

Officials for the quake-ravaged ChristChurch Cathedral – the city’s centerpiece since 1864 – have been working with Japanese architect Sigeru Ban to build a 700-person-capacity cathedral made out of corrugated board as a temporary replacement.

There is an ambitious goal to open the corrugated cathedral on Feb. 22, 2012 – the one-year anniversary of the earthquake.

The plan calls for the tubes to be placed on a foundation comprised of 20-foot-long shipping containers, forming a triangular shape. The A-frame temporary cathedral would top out at 78 feet and will have an estimated life of 10 years, at a cost of $3.4 million.It could be constructed in as little as three months, with construction overseen by contractors who will work with local volunteers.

Ban noted that he views corrugated as an ideal building material, as it’s readily available, easily transportable, recyclable, and surprisingly strong. Another benefit:  It’s consistently low-cost. Typically, the price of building materials escalates following disasters, but because it’s not a traditional building material it remains inexpensive and readily available.

(Source:  Official Board Markets in December 2011 WasteWatch)

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