Christ Church Cathedral

With the Cathedral too dangerous to enter, the project team utilised ‘Spot’, the robotic dog. With a $192,000 payload on its back, Spot navigated the damaged Cathedral and gathered data for the project team using artificial intelligence-enabled technologies such as building scanners, cameras, IoT sensors, and lasers. By gathering data on the dimensions of the critical crossing area and the damage done to it, Spot was able to help the team gain a better understanding of the interior condition of the Cathedral, and what work needed to be done on the reinstatement journey.

The Cathedral will look the same as it did previously from Cathedral Square, however throughout the building, greater functionality, accessibility and comfort has been provided where possible without compromise to the heritage fabric. For example, the reconstructed tower will contain more accommodation within the same external envelope. A new staircase will allow more people to reach the viewing platform and a lift has been included to provide greater accessibility.

To the north of the Cathedral will be the new Cathedral visitors' centre. On the ground level will be a café, with terraced steps leading down to a lowered, landscaped courtyard and museum and retail. To the south will be the ‘Cathedral Centre’ providing much needed gathering spaces, offices and amenities. Both are designed to incorporate glass and timber textures to promote light and create a visual connection to the Square. The Cathedral will have more flexibility in how it functions, due to planned enhancements internally and from the new supporting buildings.