When Pipe Dreams Lead To Paper Houses

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Paper Log House, 1995, Kobe, Japan. Photo by Takanobu Sakuma

Just over a week ago, the Pritzker Architecture Prize was awarded to Shigeru Ban, whose humanitarian work began in response to the 1994 conflict in Rwanda. Since these humble beginnings, his revolutionary and socially-conscious architecture has helped millions of people around the world.

Autor*in Jo Wilkinson, 04.02.14

Just over a week ago, the Pritzker Architecture Prize was awarded to Shigeru Ban, whose humanitarian work began in response to the 1994 conflict in Rwanda. Since these humble beginnings, his revolutionary and socially-conscious architecture has helped millions of people around the world.

Shigeru Ban employs locally available and inexpensive materials for his work that are easy to transport, mount and dismantle. Primarily, this includes recyclable cardboard tubes and paper, which are surprisingly durable and can be made waterproof and fire-proof. With these simple and accessible materials, Shigeru has constructed emergency relief shelters and temporary housing in Japan, Haiti, New Zealand and elsewhere.

In this TED Talk, Shigeru discusses how he has led a career listening to those who don’t have the voice to ask for what they need. His revolutionary and innovative work has helped millions of people who were thrown, almost instantaneously, into tragic living conditions. And he, in the most beautiful and simplest of ways, found a way to help and become an inspiration to all.

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