Shigeru Ban

The Japanese architect Shigeru Ban is noted for his use of inexpensive construction materials such as paperboard, cardboard tubes, beer cases and plastic sheeting. While his designs for DIY prefab housing have been adopted by the UN High Commission for Refugees to house earthquake victims in Turkey and Rwanda, Ban has also used these lightweight but sturdy and relatively inexpensive materials to create breathtakingly beautiful homes, pavilions and churches. A documentary film on Shigeru Ban, called An Architect for Emergencies screens as part of the 47 Degrees North Film Series at the University of Washington. On Monday January 31 at 6 pm.