The architect of Christchurch's cardboard cathedral has personally thanked the volunteers helping to build it.

The temporary Anglican cathedral, which will seat 700 people, is expected to open in Latimer Square in February.

Volunteers have been helping to varnish the cardboard tubes with polyurethane.

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban was in Christchurch today to oversee construction of the beams that will form the new cathedral.

The six-metre cardboard tubes are being threaded on to a length of laminated timber to form one-tonne, 18-metre beams.

The 100 beams will be completed just after Christmas and will then be erected on the site.

Ban thanked volunteer Ruth Simpson for her help.

''There are plenty of peple joining us to participate in the project. It's wonderful,'' he said.

Simpon attended services at Christ Church Cathedral from 1972 and was glad to help with the new building.

''Getting our own space again is a wonderful occasion,'' she said.

''It will be great. It is so inspired.''

- © Fairfax NZ News

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