Shigeru Ban: Emergency shelters made from paper

Summary

In this captivating talk, an architect shares their innovative journey of using recycled paper tubes to build sustainable structures, including temporary housing for disaster-stricken areas. From experimenting with paper tubes in 1986 to constructing pavilions for expos and rebuilding after earthquakes, the architect highlights their efforts to create environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and reusable buildings. Their work spans across the globe, addressing both the immediate needs of displaced communities and the broader issues of ecological responsibility in architecture. With a focus on both temporary and permanent structures, their goal is to make architecture more meaningful and socially responsible.

Takeaways

• 😀 The architect is the only one in the world using paper tubes as a building material, a concept he started testing in 1986.
• 😀 The paper tubes are not only strong but also waterproof and fireproof, making them suitable for construction.
• 😀 In 1990, the architect created the first temporary building out of paper tubes, which featured a unique design and functionality, including toilet paper integrated into the structure.
• 😀 The architect's design for the 2000 German expo aimed to create recyclable, reusable, and environmentally conscious structures that would not contribute to industrial waste after demolition.
• 😀 He built a temporary office on top of the Pompidou Center in Paris, working with his students and using paper tubes, without paying rent for six years.
• 😀 Despite achieving monumental projects, the architect expressed disappointment in how the profession often serves privileged individuals and organizations rather than society at large.
• 😀 He has worked in disaster-stricken areas, proposing better temporary housing solutions using affordable and eco-friendly paper tubes.
• 😀 In 1994, the architect provided a low-cost housing solution for refugees in Rwanda, using recycled paper tubes for durability and affordability.
• 😀 In 1995, after the Kobe earthquake, he helped rebuild a Vietnamese refugee church using paper tubes, overcoming initial skepticism from locals and authorities.
• 😀 Over the years, the architect has contributed to rebuilding efforts in multiple disaster zones, including Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, China, Haiti, and Japan, using local materials and innovative designs to create functional and sustainable shelters.
• 😀 The architect’s focus is on creating buildings that, although temporary, can provide long-lasting value and comfort, as demonstrated by his multi-story housing designs in Japan and New Zealand.

Q & A

What inspired the architect to start experimenting with paper tubes for building structures?

The architect was motivated by the lack of environmental consideration in traditional building materials and wanted to explore a sustainable alternative. He began testing paper tubes as a building structure long before ecological issues gained widespread attention in the 1980s.

What was the first structure the architect built using paper tubes?

The first structure the architect built using paper tubes was a temporary building in 1990, which included 330 tubes of 55 cm diameter and 12 tubes with a diameter of 120 cm. This structure was designed to demonstrate the potential of paper tubes as a building material.

How did the architect address environmental concerns in his building designs?

The architect's approach was to create buildings that could be reused or recycled. He focused on minimizing industrial waste, such as in the case of the pavilion he designed for the 2000 expo in Germany, which was made entirely of recyclable paper tubes.

What challenge did the architect face when designing the second Pompidou Center in Metz?

The architect faced financial constraints, which led him to rent an office on top of the Pompidou Center in Paris, working with his students to build the office without paying rent for six years.

What led the architect to shift his focus towards disaster relief efforts?

The architect became disillusioned with the architecture profession, feeling it was focused on serving the rich and powerful. He realized that architects were not working to help those affected by natural disasters, which led him to focus on designing temporary housing for disaster victims.

How did the architect improve the living conditions in refugee camps in Rwanda?

In Rwanda, the architect proposed using recycled paper tubes to build affordable and strong shelters for refugees, addressing both the environmental and housing issues. His solution was inexpensive, with a budget of only $50 per shelter.

What was the architect's role in rebuilding after the 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan?

After the Kobe earthquake, the architect proposed rebuilding a church for Vietnamese refugees using paper tubes. With the help of students and donations, he built over 50 shelters and eventually rebuilt the church, which stayed in place for 10 years.

How did the architect contribute to disaster relief in Taiwan after the earthquake?

After the earthquake in Taiwan, the architect dismantled the paper tube church from Japan and had it reassembled in Taiwan as a permanent structure, showcasing how temporary buildings can become lasting monuments when they are cherished by people.

What innovative construction did the architect propose for temporary housing in Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami?

After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the architect proposed multi-story temporary housing to maximize the limited available land. He collaborated with students to create comfortable, functional living spaces using shipping containers and other affordable materials.

What project is the architect currently working on in Christchurch, New Zealand?

The architect is currently working on rebuilding a temporary cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand, after the city's most important cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake. The project aims to create a beloved monument for the community.