WOOD FOR THOUGHT
The power of paper
HIROYUKI HIRAI
Shigeru Ban ’ s innovative Kobe Paper Log House in Japan , 1995 .
With a keen interest in paper , iconic Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has turned this material into a lifesaver . In 1995 a devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Japan with its epicentre at the major port city of Kobe . More than 6 000 people were killed and 200 000 left homeless . Known for his innovative work utilising paper and cardboard tubing as a building material , Ban was invited to respond to the urgent need for temporary relief shelter amidst the crisis .
With its low cost , easy accessibility and simple application , paper provided him with readymade materials to design and build a sturdy , economical and ecologically sustainable home for thousands who were displaced in the disaster . Dubbed the Kobe Paper Log House , this simple building has become the prototype for similar disaster relief structures built around the world for the past 20 years .
Some of Ban ’ s other disaster-relief projects include the Cardboard Cathedral ( 2013 ) in Christchurch , New Zealand ; a Paper Temporary Shelter ( 2014 ) in Cebu , Philippines ; and the Onagawa Container Temporary Housing building ( 2011 ) in Miyagi , Japan .
In celebrating Ban ’ s architectural genius , a full-size version of his Kobe Paper Log House was on display at Vancouver Art Gallery ’ s Offsite location as part of the ‘ Offsite : Shigeru Ban ’ exhibition . Under Ban ’ s direction , the gallery constructed a version of the 15.8m ² structure using readily sourced materials . The inspiring exhibition also featured a large photomural documenting Ban ’ s ongoing design work on global disaster-relief projects , for which he received the 2017 Mother Theresa Award .
It ’ s no surprise Ban was profiled by Time magazine in its projection of 21st century innovators in the field of architecture and design .
Candace Sofianos King senior writer