The Cardboard Cathedral within the New Zealand city of Christchurch, designed by structure legend Shigeru Ban, serves as a substitute for town’s iconic 1864 Anglican cathedral that has been destroyed throughout a 2011 earthquake.

With an anticipated lifespan of 50 years, the short-term cathedral will stand in Christchurch till an extra everlasting construction is constructed. Constructed as an easy A-frame construction from 98 equally sized cardboard tubes, the constructing is alleged to be one of many most secure buildings in Christchurch, designed to be earthquake-proof. Shigeru Ban has used the recycled tubes as an emergency aid constructing materials earlier than a number of occasions. The architect declares: “The energy of the constructing has nothing to do with the energy of the fabric. Even concrete buildings could be destroyed by earthquakes very simply, however, paper buildings can’t.” Aside from its sturdy technical benefits, the church additionally welcomes the guests with a colorful mosaic fabricated from triangular glass etched with pictures from the unique cathedral’s facade.

via Shigeru Ban