Shigeru Ban

Interview with Shigeru Ban by Dezeen Journalist.

Reference: Architectural culture is "moving in two directions" says Shigeru Ban. 2014. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.dezeen.com/2014/04/12/architectural-culture-is-moving-in-two-directions-says-shigeru-ban-interview-milan-2014/. [Accessed 15 April 2014].

Journalist: Do you work a lot on projects for refugees?

Shigeru Ban: Yes with natural disasters. Yes almost every year some disaster. Now I'm working in the Philippines after the big typhoon there last year.

Journalist: What are you doing there?

Shigeru Ban: Building temporary housing there.

Journalist: What can you advise to young architects?

Shigeru Ban: You know, I really recognise when I give lectures to many different places in the countries, when I was a student everyone was working for big developers to make big buildings. And now there are many students and younger architects who are asking to join my team, to open programs in disaster areas, it's really changing. I'm really encouraged by all the young architects and students.

Marcus Fairs: Is that just in Japan that it's changing?

Shigeru Ban: No, no, no everywhere. Everywhere I got to give lectures many students are interested in what I'm doing and they want to join me and my team, it's really encouraging.

Marcus Fairs: So you think there's a shift in the world of architecture maybe?

Shigeru Ban: I think so, I really think so.

Marcus Fairs: Towards helping people more?

Shigeru Ban: Maybe not shifting but [moving in] two directions. Because now cities are being made by developers, not architects, or not urban planners. They're made by developers. So one way is this but many people are interested in working for society also.

Marcus Fairs: So there's new opportunities for architects to be more human, to be more helpful?

Shigeru Ban: Yes because unfortunately there are so many natural disasters destroying the housing, destroying the buildings so there are many opportunities for us.

Marcus Fairs: And in Japan did the tsunami change the attitudes?

Shigeru Ban: Yes, over 500km of coastline was totally damaged. Now the recovery is quite slow because they have to reclaim the land higher to prevent the next tsunami. So also changing of zoning to put residential areas on top of the mountains, so it's a very slow process. But it's the first time, even in Japan, that they're facing such a big problem.

Marcus Fairs: So are a lot of humanitarian architects working to solve the problem?

Shigeru Ban: Yes many architects are now working in that field, yes.