Walking through the up-market Tokyo Midtown development, we came across a Christchurch connection. Members of Shigaru Ban’s architectural team were installing one of his cardboard roll structures – to be completed in a few days. This is the same man who has offered to work with the Christchurch Council to create a temporary cathedral that could also serve as a multi-purpose community center. Shigeru Ban is noted for remarks such as, “I don’t like the building that uses so much waste just to make a funny shape,” so there is some irony in one of his works being located in a Japanese consumer paradise, but the quiet order and discipline of his building process demonstrates the potential of his approach in Christchurch.
Image: Shigaru Ban staff at work at Tokyo Mid Town
