Title: Japanese Architect Shigeru Ban’s Paper House Debuts at Philip Johnson’s Estate
At the iconic architect Philip Johnson’s former estate in New Canaan, Connecticut, a new addition has been made to the lineup of unique structures. Joining the Glass House and the Brick House is now the Paper House, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban.
The Pritzker Prize-winning architect’s Paper Log House, originally created in 1995 to provide shelter for victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in Kobe, Japan, is now on display at the estate. This exhibition, running through December 15, is part of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Glass House, completed by Johnson in 1949.
Despite its small size, consisting of just one room, the Paper House is a testament to resilience. Constructed by Cooper Union students, the house is an updated version of the original shelter designed for Kobe. The foundation is made of milk crates, the walls are vertical paper tubes held together with foam tape and threaded rods, and the roof is made from paper tubes fastened with plywood connectors.
Shigeru Ban’s fascination with the strength of paper tubes has led him to design various structures around the world, including homes, bridges, churches, and exhibition pavilions. His innovative use of paper tubes in emergency shelters has been instrumental in providing housing for disaster-stricken communities in countries like Rwanda, Turkey, and Haiti.
The idea for the Paper House project came about during a tour of the Glass House last fall, where Ban’s partner, Dean Maltz, suggested the addition of a paper house to the estate. The construction of the Paper House proved to be a challenging task for the students involved, requiring advanced technology and problem-solving skills.
As visitors marvel at the Paper House at Philip Johnson’s estate, they are reminded of the innovative and sustainable design solutions that architects like Shigeru Ban are bringing to the forefront. The Paper House stands as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, showcasing the power of architecture to make a difference in people’s lives.
