Cardboard Cathedral

Christchurch

The Transitional Cathedral of the Anglican diocese, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and opened in 2013 on Latimer Square, built largely from large cardboard tubes, timber and shipping containers.

How to get there by public transport

Nearest stops

Hereford St near Latimer Square #54605130 m Hereford St near Latimer Square #54614130 m Hereford St near Barbadoes St #51594150 m Hereford St near Barbadoes St #51600160 m Gloucester St near Latimer Square #36219300 m Gloucester St near Barbadoes St #46133300 m

Lines stopping nearby

5 7 60

Plan a route to “Cardboard Cathedral”

From your location or a typed address — the route is drawn on the 3D map above.

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Cardboard Cathedral — Christchurch — Cardboard Cathedral · Schwede66 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

What it is

After the 2011 earthquake left ChristChurch Cathedral unusable, the diocese commissioned a temporary replacement on the site of St John the Baptist Church, at the corner of Hereford and Madras Streets. Shigeru Ban, working with Warren and Mahoney, designed it without a fee, and it opened on 6 August 2013.

The steep A-frame is formed by cardboard tubes about 60 cm in diameter, reinforced with timber, under a translucent polycarbonate roof, with shipping containers along the base forming the walls. Coloured triangles of stained glass fill the front facade in place of a rose window. The building seats about 700 people, is also used for concerts and events, and was designed to last around 50 years.

Getting there by bus

Hereford St near Latimer Square (stop 54605) and Hereford St near Barbadoes St (stop 51594), both within about 150 m, are served by route 60 (Hillmorton/Southshore). Gloucester St near Latimer Square (stop 36219), around 4 minutes' walk, has routes 5 and 7.

Manchester St Super Stop (stop 53061), about 4 minutes' walk west, is served by routes 1, 5, 7, 8, 27, 29, 44, 86, 91, 92 and 95, and Tuam St near Barbadoes St (stop 52958) by routes 3, 8 and 80.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Cardboard Cathedral by public transport?

The nearest stops are Hereford St near Latimer Square, Hereford St near Barbadoes St, Gloucester St near Latimer Square. Open any of them to see the lines that stop there, or use the Journey Planner for a route from your location to Cardboard Cathedral.

What is the nearest stop to Cardboard Cathedral?

Hereford St near Latimer Square (stop code 54605), about 130 m from Cardboard Cathedral. On the stop page you can see all the lines that stop there and live arrival estimates.

Where is Cardboard Cathedral located?

Cardboard Cathedral is in Christchurch. You can see its exact location and a 3D view at the top of this page.

How do I get to Cardboard Cathedral from another part of the city?

Open the Journey Planner, enter your origin (an address or a stop) and Cardboard Cathedral as the destination — you will get the best routes with lines, transfers and departure times based on the timetable.