Featured personality Shigeru Ban, 2014 Pritzker Prize winner,has earned globalfame due to his emergency architecture in disaster areas. At the same time, he has built spectacular buildings, such as the Centre Pompidou in Metz. And he has done all this,more often than not, by using materials such as paper or cardboard. We talk to him about his understanding of architecture and design and his opinion on the future of these sectors. How did you start designing emergency homes after natural disasters? This implication started naturally, by using my own energy, regardless of the governments. After becoming an architect, I realized that architecture is aimed at privileged people, governments… and I did not agree with that. I therefore searched for opportunities to create houses for normal people. In 1994, I saw a film about a refugee camp in Rwanda, and that was the start. I developed a prototype of a shed using paper tubes. I also built temporary homes in Haiti in the year 2010 and I built a paper church in Christchurch (New Zealand). Anyhow, these disasters have also been caused by man. We cannot say they are only natural. What differences are there between your humanitarian activity and your other work in terms of thinking and approach? There are no differences in my way of thinking, there are only differences in the building conditions and in the budget. But the way I conceive a design is exactly the same. I never think I need to spend less time in the humanitarian aid projects. Were you surprised to win the Talking of young people and I try to bring dignity to people and I request that the 2014 Pritzker Prize? students, you have given a construction process is jointly carried out. If the homes jumpthegap(talk) in which you have are delivered finished, I think these people will continue Yes, I was a jury from 2006 to 2009, and therefore I ® losing their dignity. Moreover, if they are involved in the know the decision criteria and the complicated selection addressed the architecture of the creative process, they can carry on the maintenance and process, that is why this prize has so much significance. build their own dwellings. future. How do you believe it will be? I try to search for different solutions in each project, I never thought I had the level to receive it. But they are we also use local materials. In disaster areas we see trying to convey a new message: instead of rewarding I believe there won’t be many differences between the problems we had not faced before and we need to solve great architects one by one, they are searching for architects of the future and those of today. Architecture is them with design. someone who can convey a message. an unusual field and technologies do not improve the sector; This prize was a great support to continue my activities. therefore, the role of architects will not change in the future. Do you also find wood fascinating Did it change the way of thinking in What do you think of Roca’s as a structural material? architecture? support to young designers Yes, carpenters in Japan also do this kind of When I was a student, everyone wanted to be an architect, through design competitions such craftsmanship. However, and unfortunately, after the construct buildings. But now there are many students and as jumpthegap ?® War, governments stopped supporting this type of young architects that are interested in what I do. It was a constructions, because they burn easily. We only find recognition to the great problems in the environment and concrete nowadays… But I use materials in a different I think it is a very positive way of encouraging young students way, because we have plenty of machinery, we can do that many natural disasters are caused by climate change. and architects, as they need opportunities. It shouldn’t be just something different by using wood. about winning the prize, they should make the most of the opportunity of developing their ideas, this is even better than winning. This kind of opportunities need to be promoted and that is why I am delighted with the company’s attitude. Roca Sanitario, S.A. Avda. Diagonal, 513 08029 Barcelona - Spain Telephone +34 93 366 1200 www.roca.com 8102 anolecraB .A.S ,oiratinaS acoR ©