Work to start on cardboard cathedral

CHARLEY MANN

PLACE OF WORSHIP: An artist's rendering of the transitional cathedral.

Construction will soon begin on a cardboard cathedral to temporarily replaceChrist Church Cathedral.

The designer, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, will turn the soil on the cathedral's planned site on the former parish of St John's, on the corner of Hereford St and Madras St, next week.

It is expected the 700-person-capacity structure will be completed by December.

Ban revealed his design last August, quoting the construction cost at $4 million.

Richard Gray, of the Transitional Cathedral Group, said the diocese had ''the bulk of the money ... in hand but there will be further fundraising to meet the costs of building the temporary structure''.

''This is a very exciting next step for the project,'' he said.

''The transitional cathedral is a symbol of hope for the future of this city as well as being sustainable and affordable.

''The cathedral is confident it will attract interest nationally and internationally, drawing additional visitors to the city."

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Work to start on cardboard cathedral