Constructions in Paper, not Concrete
Meet the Amazing World of Paper Construction
(Visit the Original Post : http://blog.naver.com/gico12/20172110573)

The Fancy-looking structure is built in paper, to make a cozy and wonderful space to stay in. / Source:http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com

When you are building a house, there are a number of choices for the materials to be used. In my previous post, I introduced the recent trend and popularity of environment-friendly materials. In this post, I would like to show you some of the most amazing, and least expected, construction materials of all: paper. I am sure you may not have any difficulties in finding some around you as you read this article. And when they are talking about building homes with paper, they do not mean paper model houses on your desks. Paper can be used to build real homes, chairs, or even bridges. Like many of you who are reading this article, I found it very difficult to believe it myself. But, if you take a closer look, it is not such a far shot after all. Wood is one of the most commonly used environment-friendly construction material, and paper is made of wood, by definition. One of the most famous architects for construction in paper is Ban Shigeru of Japan. Since 1985, he has been working independently as an architect. His name might be familiar to some of you, as he gained worldwide attention when he built the temporary constructions for the survivors of Kobe Earthquake in 1995. At that time, Ban Shigeru built refugee homes for the survivors using paper and recycled strawboard tubes. And, it is known that he works with enthusiasm and pleasure for any projects from making chairs to building museums, refugee shelters, and even an airport. Now, let us explore further into the amazing world of paper construction by Ban Shigeru.

Constructions of Ban Shigeru

Japanese Industrial Pavilion, Shanghai Expo. See the strawboard tubes? / Source:http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com

Ban Shigeru is known to choose his projects based on his judgment on their meaningfulness. It has to be something that counts. Reportedly he is not just choosing his new projects just based on the target population of the structure, such as refugees or poor/homeless people. The most important element of design in his works is the functionality. It seems that the reason he accepted to participate in the projects to build temporary schools in the Sichuan, which suffered considerable damages due to a mega-scale earthquake was also the functionality of the temporary building which had to serve as a shelter for the survivors of the nightmare.

Ban Shigeru is also known for his taste of twisting the way the materials are used, and he especially loves to do so with paper. Tubes made of paper can easily be manipulated and altered in terms of diameter, thickness, and length to serve whatever purpose you desire, while it keeps the cost contained and is easy to replace. The paper tubes are completely recyclable after use as a construction material, which makes it even more environment-friendly. Unlike the conventional knowledge, paper has superb quality in terms of water-proof, heat insulation, and sound insulation, making it suitable for many construction needs. Another famous example of using paper for construction is the bridge over River Gardon in France, which was built in strawboard tubes.

Paper-tube bridge over River Gardon, France / Source: http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com

Like this, constructions in paper come in two categories, a permanent construction and a temporary construction. If permanent constructions require the economy and observations of the specifications by the construction owners, the temporary ones require environment-friendliness, as we have seen before. Since the constructions are by definition temporary, materials that leave footprints are not going to cut it to be a good one at that. The recycling of the materials used must be considered, which leads to contemplations on the environment-friendliness of the materials, specific requirements and characteristics by the regions, and finally results in use of completely different materials, like paper.

The most commonly used material when Ban Shigeru builds a wall is paper tubes. During the earlier days, the structures were rather simple, like simple pillars or walls made of pillars. But, the use of such materials widened in variety as the performance of the paper tubes as construction materials improved, enough to make them suitable as structural elements. The connections between the paper tubes were made in wood, which is fundamentally of the same material with the paper. But, nowadays, since the use of paper tubes became wider, plastics, metal, or formed aluminum elements are used for joining the tube elements after testing.

One of the reasons why the construction of Ban Shigeru is held in high esteem is that the students or volunteers may contribute to building construction of public architectural achievements, providing them valuable opportunities to experience the public nature of those structures as well as the ethics behind them and the awareness on the environment issues. If you get your hands on building your own home, it would be more personal.

A stool made of paper. A fine place to put your objects. / Source: http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com

The Opportunities of Recycling Are Here

It is quite amazing to learn that it is possible to build a massive structure with paper. Paper cana be found everywhere, and we always wondered where it would go once we recycle it. And, it is such a relief to learn that they are put into good uses in a new way. It is my hope that more people would come up with bright ideas and technologies to protect the environment. To do that, we would also need to think of better ways to do our recycling.