Visionary Japanese architect Shigeru Ban once again collaborates with Warren and Mahoney in Christchurch to reinvigorate the city’s Cathedral Square. The team has previously found success in collaborating on the Transitional (Cardboard) Cathedral.

The new building will be inspired by the braided rivers of Canterbury, and developer Richard Hanson says it will be an iconic anchor for the southern corner of the square that will provide a visual reference to the region’s geographical landmarks.

“For visitors flying into Christchurch, the braided patterns of the Waimakariri River are a distinctive feature that signifies not only the beauty of our landscape but also the history and future of this city. Christchurch has lost so many special buildings, so it is important that new buildings are of high quality and have a strong narrative. This is particularly important for Cathedral Square as it is still a strong tourism destination in the city,” says Hanson.

Shigeru Ban is a Pritzker Prize-winning architect who is known for his use of unconventional materials. The Braided Rivers project is no exception and will use glued laminated timber, or “glulam” to create this unique aesthetic.

Warren and Mahoney brings a distinctly Kiwi prospective to the project. “Our deep understanding of the materials, New Zealand Codes and Standards and seismic requirements means that we can have the detailed conversations about construction methodology with the contractors, and loop through to the Shigeru Ban Architects team as required,” says principal Peter Marshall.

Construction is anticipated to start in October 2018 with completion scheduled for late 2019.