ChristChurch’s “Cardboard Cathedral”

The original ChristChurch cathedral in New Zealand was severely damaged by an earthquake in 2010. A second earthquake in 2011 destroyed its original stained-glass rose window. The Transitional Cathedral, designed by architect Shigeru Ban, was built nearby in 2013 and is nicknamed the “Cardboard Cathedral” due to the extensive use of cardboard tubes in its construction.

The original ChristChurch cathedral in New Zealand was severely damaged by an earthquake in 2010. A second earthquake in 2011 destroyed its original stained-glass rose window. The Transitional Cathedral, designed by architect Shigeru Ban, was built nearby in 2013 and is nicknamed the “Cardboard Cathedral” due to the extensive use of cardboard tubes in its construction.

Metro Performance Glass, a full service glass specialist in New Zealand, was contracted to produce the glass facade, which measures over 1700 square feet. The original design called for 49 triangular panes of colored glass, but the company lobbied to print the panes digitally instead. Using photographs of the original rose window, the company was able to reproduce the images from the destroyed stained glass and print them directly onto the glass.

By adjusting the transparency levels in the inks, the company was able to better duplicate the appearance of stained glass.

Read our full update on architectural glass decoration here.