Christchurch Cardboard Transitional Cathedral

The stone neo-Gothic Christchurch Cathedral was badly damaged in the 22nd February 2011 earthquake and to date, still stands in ruins, its future undecided. A Japanese architect by the name of Shigeru Ban designed a new building with an expected life span of approximately 50 years. This was opened in August 2013 and continues to draw crowds of tourists as well as worshippers.

It is constructed from wood and steel with cardboard cylinders lining the polycarbonate roof. The floor is polished concrete and the cardboard theme is carried through the interior. Seating is rows of simple wooden chairs with padded cream cushions. The overall effect is one of light and beauty and this is enhanced by the coloured glass window over the entrance. This consists of 49 panels and includes designs from the original Christchurch Cathedral's rose window.

The Transitional Cathedral has filled a hole in the hearts of Christchurch people and is a place where they can worship God, reflect on life and enjoy peaceful moments.

Photo Tour of Cathedral Square Christchurch - Post Earthquakes

Christchurch CBD reopened to the public at the end of June 2013. This was after being cordoned off to the public since the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in February 2011. A walk through Cathedral Square on the 24th July 2013 revealed massive gaps where buildings have fallen. Christchurch Cathedral still stands in ruins and ongoing demolitions continue in the area.

Christchurch Gondola Reopens after Earthquake

The Christchurch Gondola reopened on Monday 25th March 2013. This was more than two years after the 6.3 magnitude 22nd February earthquake that devastated Christchurch. Remedial work had to be done on the hillside to prevent the possibility of rockfalls and the top station was revamped after a water tank burst during the quake.

 

 

Each car can hold four people and offers spectacular views across Christchurch and the coast as it rises almost one kilometre to the top of Mount Cavendish. The route passes over Summit Rd and visitors can observe the masses of rocks that fell during the earthquake. The road is seriously damaged and closed to the public although cyclists have made a path through the rockfalls and continue to ride up there. From the top station, visitors are able to walk around and see Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula on one side and Christchurch and surrounds on the other.

 

 

 

 

The Red Rock cafe offers a good range of food and coffee and the Time Tunnel traces the history of the area from its volcanic beginnings through to post earthquake Christchurch. This presentation has been updated and ends with a message of encouragement.

 

 

It is fantastic to see the Christchurch Gondola in action again and tourists and locals poured in over Easter to support the newly opened venture. The cost is $25 for adults and $12 for children aged 5-15. Locals can buy an annual pass for $45 with a child's one costing $20. More details can be obtained from their website.

 

 

 

Christchurch CBD - Photographic Tour Two Years after Earthquake

A walk through Christchurch CBD in late February 2013 revealed that while many buildings have been demolished, there are still dozens more to come down. Wide open spaces bear testimony to the loss the city has sustained but there are also signs of progress and the rebuild that is underway. Follow this photographic tour to see Christchurch central two years after the devastating 6.3 earthquake on February 22nd 2011.

Views of Christchurch central from Cashel Mall. These pictures were taken through the fence that secures the Red Zone which is still inaccessible to the public.

Cashel Mall is home to the Restart Shipping Container Mall. The majority of buildings in this part of Cashel St have been demolished and a number of people lost their lives here in the February 2011 earthquake. The Restart Mall is expected to be in place for a couple of years and has become a tourist attraction in the city. Shops include fashion stores, souvenir outlets, coffee shops, shoe shops and speciality food stores.

Vacant land at the end of Cashel Mall is now used as parking areas. It was originally home to  a row of restaurants and the DTZ building.

Across the city in the area around Latimer Square, the construction of the Cardboard Cathedral is underway. This is to be a temporary church to replace Christchurch Cathedral which sustained severe damage through the ongoing earthquakes. The Cardboard Cathedral is being erected on the site of St John's Church that was demolished following the February 2011 earthquake. In the same area, a fence around the site of the CTV building that collapsed claiming dozens of lives is adorned with floral memorials. A Gapfiller site nearby consists of white chairs.

Time Lapse Video of Christchurch Central

 

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority has released a video showing time-lapse photography of the Christchurch Central Business District taken between 1 February 2012 and 31 January 2013.

Shot from the roof of HSBC Tower on Worcester Boulevard, the video depicts changes to the CBD landscape looking out towards Cathedral Square.

4.6 Aftershock Rocks Christchurch - January 19 2013

At 9:15pm on the 19^th January 2013, Christchurch and Canterbury were shaken by a 4.6 aftershock that was centred near Rolleston. It was the largest shake the area has had in over six months. Canterbury Quake Live recorded the magnitude as 4.62 at 12 kilometres deep and it released 128 tonnes of energy. It measured V on the Mercalli Scale meaning that it was ‘Felt by almost everyone, some people awakened. Small objects moved. Trees and poles may shake.’

The Canterbury Quake Live website was swamped with hits within minutes with the usual 100 or 200 online swelling to over 16,000. Facebook and Twitter were also buzzing with news and comments included the following:

“I saw the walls of our lounge moving from side to side.”

“Really violent quake just now.”

“That woke me up.”

“That was strong.”

 

The 4.6 aftershock was followed by a 2.38 shake at 9:48pm and a 2.22 at 10:00pm.