All Souls Anglican Church replaces the combined St Mary’s and St Matthew’s churches, both damaged and demolished as a result of the damaging earthquakes in Canterbury during 2010 & 2011. The brief called to retain existing trees, provide a low maintenance asset and considerate of sustainability initiatives. The central chapel is a pivotal link between external and internal through the welcoming foyer space. Within the chapel the past is reflected with a display of original stained-glass windows recovered from the original churches and restored piece-by-piece to their original condition. Acoustic plasterboard walls double as a resemblance to the ‘river of life’ in the shape of Canterbury’s Waimakariri braided river.
