New Zealand's Post-Earthquake "Cardboard Cathedral" Opens

New Zealand's Christchurch suffered a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in February 2011. The disaster took away 185 lives and also destroyed the local landmark - the century-old cathedral, causing the public to lose their collective prayer venue. Thus, the local Anglican Church decided to build a temporary "paper church" to help people regain spiritual寄托.

Now, two and a half years have passed, and this "paper church" has finally been officially opened to the public recently. This uniquely creative paper church was designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. Its main supporting materials are made of paper, with beams and columns using sturdy paper tubes, totaling 100 tubes. Each tube has a diameter of 60 centimeters and is 16.5 meters long. The surface of the paper tubes is covered with a thick layer of polycarbonate board to protect them from being easily eroded by external substances. The new church is an earthquake-resistant building, with the same size as the old church, accommodating 700 people, and can be used for 50 years.

According to foreign media reports, the design of this "cardboard church" carries a bit of "novelistic technique," giving it a surreal feeling. However, it leaves a deep impression on people, being magnificent yet stable, extraordinary but practical.