New Zealand erects $4.1M cardboard cathedral

Here's an interesting way to keep worshippers satisfied while their earthquake-damaged cathedral gets dismantled: build a cardboard one. That's what's on the cards (pun intended) in New Zealand, where authorities are constructing a 82-feet-high structure to temporarily replace Christchurch Cathedral, which will be demolished and rebuilt. But for anyone worrying that cardboard sounds a little flimsy, fear not -- this "Transitional Cathedral" is fire-proof, weather-proof and designed to last "well over twenty years" thanks to its combination of cardboard tubes, timber beams, structural steel and concrete pad. The $4.1 million project, which seats 700, was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and will also serve as a concert venue and tourist attraction.