shigeru ban's paper log house lands in maui for wildfire relief

shigeru ban and VAN lead paper log house workshop in maui

Earlier in 2023, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban showcased his dedication to disaster relief efforts with the design of a paper log house for victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Marrakesh–Safi, Morocco. The project, which is based on a prototype originally crafted for the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, is raised on beer crates and primarily composed of paper and wood. With its rapid and straightforward assembly process, the design can provide temporary shelter in multiple disaster-prone regions, including Japan and Korea. Ban recently introduced his prototype to Maui in Hawaii, where a deadly wildfire swept through Lahaina this summer, claiming 99 lives and damaging over 2,000 structures — making it the most fatal wildfire in the United States over a century. The workshop was led by Ban’s volunteering program VAN (Voluntary Architects Network), founded in 1995 in Japan.

image courtesy Shigeru Ban Architects

a naturally-lit and waterproof prototype

Shigeru Ban (see more here) and his team at VAN (more here) completed the Maui Paper Log House prototype in just three days (December 4-7, 2023), joining forces with local groups, namely Hawaii Off Grid Architecture and Engineering and students from UH at Manoa School of Architecture. Together, the team carefully assembled the roof, fitting it with a water-resistant membrane for durability and circular openings to facilitate attachment and invite natural light to filter through. Insulation was then integrated into the walls and roof structure, while a waterproof polyurethane coat was applied to the paper tubes. Other participating groups and supporters of the project include Paia Rinzai Zen Mission, Lahaina Jodo Mission, UH Maui College, and Pacific Millworks.

image courtesy Shigeru Ban Architects

Taking to Instagram, the team at Hawaii Off Grid Architecture and Engineering reflects on the collaborative Maui Paper Log House workshop with Shigeru Ban and VAN: ‘The crews worked for 3 days straight to build this prototype for a sustainable solution for midterm housing for those displaced by the wildfires. We are so grateful that renowned architect Shigeru Ban and his team came out to guide everyone through the building process.’ You can watch a short film of the three-day construction process, below.

image: screenshot via Hawaii Off Grid and VAN on Instagram