Winner of the
Pritzker Prize in 2014, the Japanese
Shigeru Ban is one of the most important architects of contemporary times. The professional is world-renowned for the innovative work he develops with
paper integrated into architectural structures, mainly
recycled cardboard tubes.
Many of his most notable projects are temporary houses, prefabricated, or incorporate cheap and unconventional materials, like the one being displayed at
Japan House, São Paulo, from March 25 to May 4. This is the
Paper Log House, a structure designed to be built quickly and at low cost — using materials available even in areas hit by disasters — to serve as shelter for victims. It is part of the
Disaster Relief project, initiated in 1995, and already replicated outside Japan in countries like India, Haiti, and Turkey. The version presented at Japan House is based on a model built in Kobe after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. This project, which brings a life-sized house to the outdoor area of the São Paulo institution, shows the intelligent use of available materials and resources, in addition to being a
sustainable initiative, providing safe and quickly constructed shelter suitable to local climatic conditions and lifestyles.
Japan House exibe casa feita de papelão projetada por Shigeru Ban (Thiago Minoru/CASACOR)
Built primarily with tubes of
cardboard and
wood, common materials in various regions of the world, these constructions are made through simple and easy-to-execute projects. Thus, when they are built to serve as
temporary housing in emergency situations, such as
natural disasters, they are constructed in collaboration with students and volunteers.
Japan House exibe casa feita de papelão projetada por Shigeru Ban (Thiago Minoru/CASACOR)
Following the original concept of using local materials and
workforce, Japan House São Paulo invited students from FAUUSP and ETEC Itaquera IIs who, along with their responsible teachers, made the necessary adjustments to the project and prepared the materials for the model exhibited by the institution. For the assembly of the house, students from Escola da Cidade also joined in.
Japan House exibe casa feita de papelão projetada por Shigeru Ban (Nádia Simonelli/CASACOR)
During the visit, the public can also enjoy
furniture developed by the Shigeru Ban Architects office, such as a table and chair set made with the same cardboard tube as the walls of the Paper Log House, as well as the Carta bench, displayed in the interior of the exhibition
Japanese Principles: design and resources.
Japan House exibe casa feita de papelão projetada por Shigeru Ban (Nádia Simonelli/CASACOR)
"The collective construction of the houses is also a fundamental aspect to promote awareness of the relevance of joint work towards the reconstruction of the community. Since 2019 we have tried to articulate projects with Shigeru Ban in this area, and we have finally managed to bring one of the most inspiring models of his work, hoping it can also serve as an example for Brazilian cases," explains Natasha Barzaghi Geenen, cultural director of Japan House and curator of the exhibition of which the house is a part.
Service: Paper Log House at Japan House São Paulo - Exhibition Japanese Principles: design and resources Period: from March 25 to May 4, 2025 Location: Sotodoma – entrance of Japan House São Paulo (Avenida Paulista, 52 - São Paulo/SP) Hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm, and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10am to 7pm. Free admission.
Optional online reservation.
