Shigeru Ban’s commitment to disaster relief
“People are killed by the collapse of buildings … so architects are responsible for the damage” ( Ban, 2023). This is the fundamental drive for Shigeru Ban, the renowned Japanese architect, to stand as a beacon of humanitarianism and innovation in the field of architecture. He considers it his moral and professional responsibility to facilitate temporary disaster relief solutions as an architect and employs this notion in his architectural feats. The spaces he designs are helmed by necessity, functionality, and contextual sustainability. His social consciousness is palpable throughout his prolific career.
Shigeru Ban’s philosophy towards his works and projects he fronts revolves around the concept of ‘democratic architecture’ ensuring the spaces are accessible and inclusive and predominantly aiding in disaster relief management. His projects range from residences to public buildings, museums, cultural centers, and more reflecting simplicity, efficiency, contextual awareness, and environmental considerations. Ban is also recognized for many Philanthropic initiatives, including the Voluntary Architect’s Networks (VAN), which he founded to provide architectural expertise and offer support in disaster-stricken areas.
Read ahead to explore one of his upcoming projects that aims at offering relief to the war-stricken city of Lviv, Ukraine by providing a timber addition of extension to the country’s largest hospital, in the wake of innumerable war crimes and instability in the health-care system. This addition is designed with CLT (Cross-laminated Timber), combining innovation and local sourcing to its advantage.
Cross-laminated Timber Hospital Ukraine.
A collaboration between Shigeru Ban architects and Ukrainian studio AMBK led to the design proposal of a cross-laminated timber addition to the hospital in Lviv, Ukraine that is quickly reaching maximum capacity because of the present war. It’s been proposed to be organized as a rectangular six-story building centered around an atrium containing the concierge area and enveloped by exposed timber columns.
The structural system was developed by the Swiss engineering studio Hermann Blumer, ensuring no metal joints were required.
The inception of using paper and paper-based materials arose out of the necessity of temporary structures in relief work, abstaining from extensive woodwork. Ban proclaims that the idea popped up in 1986 when he was working on a design exhibition that necessitated an alternative to wood, which he said, was “precious … for temporary use,”(Ban, 2023). Eventually, the solution was found in tubes of fax paper rolls. They were tested in interior design and then explored in outside conditions.
Similarly, he explored the innovativeness of CLT (Cross laminated timber) for the 25,000 sqm surgical wing of Lviv hospital, considering they are made locally and made available due to a halt in exports of these materials, and he viewed an opportunity to optimize. Timber is also declared a material approved by the EU, thus capitalizing on this opportunity to showcase Lviv’s commitment to joining the European Union.
Application and Characteristics of CLT in Shigeru Ban’s Hospital Design
Cross-laminated Timber (CLT), emerged as a key proponent of Shigeru Ban’s architectural profile. In the hospital design, CLT would demonstrate various characteristics that would enhance sustainability, efficiency, and the aesthetic appeal of the structures.
In terms of structural applications and characteristics, CLT offers exceptional strength and stability, thus becoming an apt application for large-scale hospital design projects. It is an engineered wood product, and CLT consists of various layers of timber boards that are overlapped perpendicular to each other; and bonded with adhesive. This process increases the structural integrity of the product, facilitating the support of heavy loads and withstanding arduous environmental conditions.
CLT’s prospect of being prefabricated enables swift and cost-effective construction, reducing labor costs. The panels are manufactured off-site, however, they are assembled on-site, creating a streamlined process that minimizes disrupting existing hospital operations. The stipulated reduced duration of construction emerges as a huge advantage in war or disaster-ridden areas, where proactive measures and innovations are essential.
As a renewable source, the timber used in CLT production sequesters carbon dioxide, thus reducing the impact of construction activities. Additionally, it is important to note that CLT timber can be sourced ethically from well-managed forests,c certified by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), maintaining ethical procurement of materials. Ban demonstrated a holistic approach prioritizing ecological means of construction and material selection.
Structural integrity and safety
Ensuring structural stability is of paramount importance due to the critical nature of healthcare facilities. It is key to enabling the seamless operation of medical services, even during challenging times. Shigeru Ban recognizes the potential of CLT for such circumstances, to enhance the resilience of his hospital design.
CLT Panels are engineered to withstand various loads, including live loads of medical equipment, utilities ect within a hospital environment. Safety considerations play a central role in Ban’s philosophy toward architecture, where beyond meeting regulatory standards for structural safety, Shigeru Ban prioritizes measures to mitigate risks relating to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and storms. The high load-bearing capacity offers inherent resilience to seismic forces, especially when building in seismically active regions.
Shigeru Ban’s designs reflect his ideologies toward geo-political challenges, committing to address global concerns. By employing CLT, Ban promotes carbon neutrality and ensures resource efficiency. The modularity of the materials allows continued functionality and responds to the changing healthcare needs and geopolitical shifts with time.
The Humanitarian aspect
This timber CLT Hospital design assumes a profound humanitarian aspect, contextualized within the unique socio-political landscape of the region. Acknowledging the significant challenges that Ukraine faced including armed conflict, displacement of people, and drained resources in healthcare, architecture takes a pivotal role in championing humanitarian crises, becoming a catalyst for healing, and social cohesion.
By prioritizing flexibility, sustainability, and functionality, Ban’s design bridges the gap in healthcare delivery, providing urgent care to the affected communities of Lviv. The capacity of the hospital design would accommodate fluctuating patient volumes and ensure consistency in care amidst uncertainty and turmoil. This project is in the throes of beginning construction, hoping to receive more reinforcement in financial support from local bodies to quicken the process.
Shigeru Ban’s design embodies principles of fostering a healing environment, integrating natural light, green spaces, and sensitive design elements that frame a therapeutic ambiance conducive to the physical emotional, and psychological wellness of the patients, medical practitioners, and caregivers alike. This is yet another project of Shigeru Ban architects where the efficacy of a design-driven solution addresses a complex socio-political challenge, paving the path for a paradigm shift in architectural practice, throwing focus on empathy, collaboration, and social responsibility.
References:
- Florian, M C (2023) Shigeru Ban Designs Cross-Laminated Timber Hospital for Ukraine [online]. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/1004689/shigeru-ban-designs-cross-laminated-timber-hospital-for-ukraine [Accessed date: 17/03/2024].
- Budgen, M (2023) Shigeru Ban’s humanitarian architecture reaches Ukraine [online]. Available at: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/09/24/japan/society/shigeru-ban-lviv-ukraine-hospital/ [Accessed date: 17/03/2024].
- Shigeru Ban Architects (2023) Hospital at Lviv [online]. Available at: https://shigerubanarchitects.com/news/hospital-in-lviv/ [Accessed date: 17/03/2024].
- Brandoli, L. (2023) Shigeru Ban’s timber addition for Ukrainian hospital [online]. Available at: https://www.domusweb.it/en/news/gallery/2023/07/31/the-timber-addition-by-shigeru-ban-and-ambk-for-the-hospital-of-lviv-ukraine.html [Accessed date: 17/03/2024].
- Prieto, C. (2023) Cross-Laminated Timber Reaches new Heights: Why use CLT in Construction? [online]. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/1006603/cross-laminated-timber-reaches-new-heights-why-use-clt-in-construction [Accessed date: 17/03/2024].
- Yin T, Wang Z. (2021) Cross-Laminated Timber: A Review on Its Characteristics and an Introduction to Chinese Practices [online]. Available at: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/77530 [Accessed date: 17/03/2024].
