Frame and Form

'The engineers are always trying to get more and more resistant materials, but I do not believe that a material needs to be resistant to compose a structure with a high bearing capacity. The ability of a structure has nothing to do with the strength of the materials that compose. You can design a building to withstand earthquakes with paper as I do. Actually, a structure will be tough if you have a good structural design ... ' Shigeru Ban

If something that characterizes the work of Shigeru Ban is the exploration of unconventional structural materials. The Japanese architect born in Tokyo in 1957, paper has the raw material that constitutes the "soul" of his most recognized.

The use of recycled paperboard has labeled as a designer Shigeru Ban sustainable and humane. However, Ban working with paper as building material for its economy, recyclability and low cost technological, actually, Japanese designer rejects sustainability as an engine of their designs and prefers to refer to the rationality of resources (economic and environmental) when analyzing your work. The reality is that their structural designs on paper surprise, covers both large as the flag of Japan for the Expo2000 or in shelters for disaster areas.

Structures humanitarian Paper: The efficient and rational designs Ban positioned him as a consultant to United Nations (UNHCR 1995-99) where he had the opportunity to mitigate the suffering of thousands of people in disasters like earthquakes Japan (1995), China (2008) and Turkey (1999) or conflict of Rwanda (1994). Simple and accessible, easy to assemble, local materials and low-tech, resistant and comfortable ... this series of designs ranging from first aid facilities and temporary housing, until schools and even temples aconfesionales for relaxation of mind so necessary in times of disaster.

Structural design of paper: Frame and Form We are excited about the rationality and efficiency in the use of resources in the world of structural design, Shigeru Ban's work perfectly plasma this aspect . Examples such as Japan Pavilion at Expo in Hanover 2000, with its stunning cover 73.8 meter, 15.9 feet and a light 25.0 meters, demonstrate how a multidisciplinary team of designers (studies Shigeru Ban and Frei Otto together with the office of Buro Happold) can expand the frontiers of design.

The pavilion was built with a philosophy focused on sustainability, this being the central theme of the exposition. A 80% of the materials used in its construction were recycled after the closing ceremony.

As explained, from the London office, Buro Happold mates, took advantage of the flexibility of the cardboard tubes and bonding system consisting of wire rope and, to build the lattice plane at ground level. This greatly facilitated the manufacturing process time and reducing accidents. Subsequently the structure was hoisted, deformed and anchored in its final position. Finally he adjusted a membrane made of fireproof paper reinforced with glass fibers.

‘A paper bridge was one of my dreams’, Ban said while inaugurating the temporary structure built in a month in a summer workshop conducted in southern France in July of 2007. The design of the bridge weighs 7.5 tonnes and is made 281 cardboard tubes 1,15 inches long and each 11.9 mm wide. The steps of step are recycled paper and plastic. The foundation is materialized by sand bags to collect the horizontal thrust. The bridge, crossing the Gardon river to 500 meters downstream of Pont du Gard, was open for six weeks and was dismantled in mid-September to prevent its deterioration during the rainy season.

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Video interview where Shigeru Ban presented his own way of thinking about architecture and structural design. [Eng]