In the wake of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand in 2011, a new form of architecture has been on the rise.
The natural disaster and its subsequent seismic events demolished 80% of the city, leaving Christchurch with a dire need to rebuild. Transitional architecture emerged in response to its revival, illustrating a culture dedicated to urban recovery via grassroots efforts. In particular, a cathedral constructed out of cardboard made headlines, as it was designed to replace a landmark, 19th-century Anglican structure. The cathedral produced extensive community involvement, and although it was originally conceived as a temporary building, the complexity of its construction has generated a lifespan of at least 50 years.
Designed by architect and disaster artist Shigeru Ban, the cathedral stands as the first new civic building completed since the 2011 quake, and is the architects largest post-disaster structure to date.
Each year, transitional architecture is celebrated in New Zealand with FESTA (Festival of Transitional Architecture), where collaborative projects and urban interventions are showcased; FESTA 2014: The Future Will Be Live takes place next week. As a company that got its start in Christchurch, Modlar is proud to come from a city that fosters such a significant architectural movement.
