Name: Emergency shelters made from paper
Uploaded: 2013-08-13T15:00:06Z
Duration: 11 min 29 s
Description: Long before sustainability was a buzzword, architect Shigeru Ban was using ecologically sound building materials such as cardboard tubes. He uses them to build remarkable temporary structures for disaster-struck nations such as Haiti, Rwanda and Japan. Yet often, these buildings remain a beloved part of the landscape long after they have served their intended purpose.

Long before sustainability was a buzzword, architect Shigeru Ban was using ecologically sound building materials such as cardboard tubes. He uses them to build remarkable temporary structures for disaster-struck nations such as Haiti, Rwanda and Japan. Yet often, these buildings remain a beloved part of the landscape long after they have served their intended purpose.

Emergency shelters made from paper

Recycled paper tubes, once destined for the landfill, are transformed into strong, waterproof, and fireproof structures for people displaced by disaster. In Rwanda, shelters built for just $50 each helped refugees avoid freezing nights and environmental ruin. These innovative buildings, often temporary by design, sometimes become cherished monuments that last for years. This approach challenges architecture’s focus on privilege by centering dignity and practicality for those most in need.