Sustainable architect Shigeru Ban’s
eco-friendly approach to architecture
goes beyond the “green” phenomena
and our 21st century efforts to hybrid and
solar panel the world. Ban’s philosophy
takes saving energy and using recycled
materials to a whole new level, attempting
to redefi ne contemporary spaces by making
use of ordinary materials with minimal
waste production. In May, the Meridian
International Center will host Ban for a
series of lectures, and his paper houses will
be on display at Meridian House |
and at the
National Building Museum.Ban’s notoriety has him doing business
everywhere between his hometown of Tokyo,
Japan to New York, Western Europe, Rwanda,
and back again. His assortment of architectural
projects has included everything from posh,
eleven-story condominium complexes in West
Chelsea to paper-tube bridges and temporary
housing for displaced persons.
Ban, 43, has become a major philanthropic
contributor to refugee causes in places such
as Japan, India and Turkey. After seeing photos
of the 1994 refugee situation in Rwanda,
Ban proposed a plan to replace the |
poorlymaintained
aluminum and plastic sheet shelters with paper-tube structures. Parts for the new
sanctuaries were easily produced even in a
third world country like Rwanda, and those
living in the camps could build the houses
with minimal training. |