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Shigeru Ban, Cardboard Cathedral A testament to the strength, skill, and poignancy of the Pritzker winner’s “emergency architecture,” this A-frame marvel of cardboard tubing and shipping containers served as a potent symbol for Christchurch’s recovery after an earthquake. In another symbolic touch, the stained glass triangle at the front of the church incorporates imagery from the former cathedral’s famous rose window.
Shigeru Ban, Cardboard Cathedral A testament to the strength, skill, and poignancy of the Pritzker winner’s “emergency architecture,” this A-frame marvel of cardboard tubing and shipping containers served as a potent symbol for Christchurch’s recovery after an earthquake. In another symbolic touch, the stained glass triangle at the front of the church incorporates imagery from the former cathedral’s famous rose window.
Shigeru Ban: The Curtain Wall House in Tokyo, Japan, 1994-1995
Shigeru Ban: The Curtain Wall House in Tokyo, Japan, 1994-1995
The New York Times architecture critic, Michael Kimmelman, interviewed 2014 Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban for the 2014 New York Times Cities for Tomorrow conference. Via The New York Times
The New York Times architecture critic, Michael Kimmelman, interviewed 2014 Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban for the 2014 New York Times Cities for Tomorrow conference. Via The New York Times
Theodore Lux Feininger: Bauhaus student and son of Bauhaus master Lyonel Feininger, T. Lux Feninger’s photographs capture the ebullient spirit of the prime Bauhaus years (Members of the Bauhaus band, shown). From Bauhaus Online.
Theodore Lux Feininger: Bauhaus student and son of Bauhaus master Lyonel Feininger, T. Lux Feninger’s photographs capture the ebullient spirit of the prime Bauhaus years (Members of the Bauhaus band, shown). From Bauhaus Online.
Chalk Piggy BankFar more sophisticated than the plastic pigs of yore, the smooth ceramic piggy bank features a leather tail and comes with its own chalk. $85
Chalk Piggy BankFar more sophisticated than the plastic pigs of yore, the smooth ceramic piggy bank features a leather tail and comes with its own chalk. $85
Vasareley Pavilion by Shigeru Ban
Vasareley Pavilion by Shigeru Ban
There are bookshelves, closets, and cabinets galore in the pared-down, boxy home.
There are bookshelves, closets, and cabinets galore in the pared-down, boxy home.
The Copper Chemistry Collection employs a sophisticated marriage of materials in glass and copper. The collection includes a carafe and glasses, and can be used as a set or individually. The addition of copper to the streamlined glass elevates the collection and gives it a warmer look than plain glassware.
The Copper Chemistry Collection employs a sophisticated marriage of materials in glass and copper. The collection includes a carafe and glasses, and can be used as a set or individually. The addition of copper to the streamlined glass elevates the collection and gives it a warmer look than plain glassware.
Evoking shou sugi ban, the cedar exterior has a Benjamin Moore Arborcoat stain.
Evoking shou sugi ban, the cedar exterior has a Benjamin Moore Arborcoat stain.
The living room structure soars to two stories, with banks of glass louvers at the upper level providing cross ventilation.
The living room structure soars to two stories, with banks of glass louvers at the upper level providing cross ventilation.
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Avon House featuring yakisugi (shou sugi ban) japanese charred wood siding
Load-bearing elements are clustered together in the form of storage instead of a typical post-and-beam format.
Load-bearing elements are clustered together in the form of storage instead of a typical post-and-beam format.
The Japanese brand Muji will begin selling his kit house in 2014, which is prefabricated using furniture (i.e. storage units) as load-bearing modules. House of Furniture’s exterior looks more like a pavilion than a box.
The Japanese brand Muji will begin selling his kit house in 2014, which is prefabricated using furniture (i.e. storage units) as load-bearing modules. House of Furniture’s exterior looks more like a pavilion than a box.
The interior is a spatially open layout with a flexible DIY storage system that supports the ceiling.
The interior is a spatially open layout with a flexible DIY storage system that supports the ceiling.
Banks of windows and translucent panels help keep Casa Tuscania nice and airy.
Banks of windows and translucent panels help keep Casa Tuscania nice and airy.
Inspired by a homesteading commune he documented in Western North Carolina, photographer Mike Belleme built the Nook, a minimalist retreat in the woods that draws from both Japanese and Scandinavian design. He foraged much of the wood for the 400-square-foot cabin. "Every kind of wood has a certain mood and personality," he says. The exterior features an entranceway of oak blackened in the traditional Japanese method known as shou sugi ban.
Inspired by a homesteading commune he documented in Western North Carolina, photographer Mike Belleme built the Nook, a minimalist retreat in the woods that draws from both Japanese and Scandinavian design. He foraged much of the wood for the 400-square-foot cabin. "Every kind of wood has a certain mood and personality," he says. The exterior features an entranceway of oak blackened in the traditional Japanese method known as shou sugi ban.
Storage units like this one stand in as walls and structural support—no posts or beams needed.
Storage units like this one stand in as walls and structural support—no posts or beams needed.
The SEB bank headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark by Danish architecture firm Lundgaard & Tranberg. The building won the 2011 RIBA European Award.
The SEB bank headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark by Danish architecture firm Lundgaard & Tranberg. The building won the 2011 RIBA European Award.
With its Helvetica Light Analog Watch, Mondaine marries traditional Swiss watchmaking with a modern typography favorite. Using the Helvetica Light font as a muse, the watch face features simple numbers and ticks in a light grey color that communicates with the minimalist styling of the watch. The watch is available with different case and face designs, ranging from bold black to sleek silver. The Helvetica Light Analog Watch is designed with typography lovers in mind, while also providing the exquisite functionality of a Swiss classic.
With its Helvetica Light Analog Watch, Mondaine marries traditional Swiss watchmaking with a modern typography favorite. Using the Helvetica Light font as a muse, the watch face features simple numbers and ticks in a light grey color that communicates with the minimalist styling of the watch. The watch is available with different case and face designs, ranging from bold black to sleek silver. The Helvetica Light Analog Watch is designed with typography lovers in mind, while also providing the exquisite functionality of a Swiss classic.
Didi, of the band Brazillian Girls, in Williamsburg.
Didi, of the band Brazillian Girls, in Williamsburg.
Oita Bank Dome (Oita, Japan: 2002 World Cup) Called the “Big Eye,” since the retractable roof appears to wink when closed, the Kisho Kurokawa-designed elliptical stadium is clad with semi-transparent Teflon membrane panels on the roof, which allow natural light in during the day. Photo by NRTB, Creative Commons
Oita Bank Dome (Oita, Japan: 2002 World Cup) Called the “Big Eye,” since the retractable roof appears to wink when closed, the Kisho Kurokawa-designed elliptical stadium is clad with semi-transparent Teflon membrane panels on the roof, which allow natural light in during the day. Photo by NRTB, Creative Commons
One of the four photography promos sent to us by Toby Burditt
One of the four photography promos sent to us by Toby Burditt
For the MUFG PBO bank in Nagoya, Japan, a new idea location for banking, we have proposed a slightly reflective black metal panel façade that is installed over the existing 1970’s office building behind. The color black refers to an elegant, simple aspect of Japanese aesthetics, and reminds one of seriousness and stability, something that should be projected from a bank. From there, we have shaped and perforated this black surface in new and modern ways, from the smooth, three dimensionality of the entrance to the escalator hall, to the laser cut pattern that makes a screen for the second floor windows. Photo courtesy of NMDA.
For the MUFG PBO bank in Nagoya, Japan, a new idea location for banking, we have proposed a slightly reflective black metal panel façade that is installed over the existing 1970’s office building behind. The color black refers to an elegant, simple aspect of Japanese aesthetics, and reminds one of seriousness and stability, something that should be projected from a bank. From there, we have shaped and perforated this black surface in new and modern ways, from the smooth, three dimensionality of the entrance to the escalator hall, to the laser cut pattern that makes a screen for the second floor windows. Photo courtesy of NMDA.
9Hours (Kyoto, Japan) Fumie Shibata of Design Studio S created this minimal, sci-fi crash pad in Kyoto, named after the average length of a business traveler’s stay (one hour shower, seven hours sleep, one hour rest). The subtle but memorable branding system, which carries through from toothbrush containers to wayfinding systems, is as tech-oriented and soothing as the beds themselves, outfitted with computerized lighting and high-end sheets. Photo by Underutilized (Creative Commons)
9Hours (Kyoto, Japan) Fumie Shibata of Design Studio S created this minimal, sci-fi crash pad in Kyoto, named after the average length of a business traveler’s stay (one hour shower, seven hours sleep, one hour rest). The subtle but memorable branding system, which carries through from toothbrush containers to wayfinding systems, is as tech-oriented and soothing as the beds themselves, outfitted with computerized lighting and high-end sheets. Photo by Underutilized (Creative Commons)
The bank’s vault is now the center’s bookstore—and has been fittingly named, The Vault. A wide range of design objects, many by local artists, will be available in the shop.
The bank’s vault is now the center’s bookstore—and has been fittingly named, The Vault. A wide range of design objects, many by local artists, will be available in the shop.
The proportions and floorplan mimic those of the prior landmark, though the new, temporary structure is built of paper tube modules.
The proportions and floorplan mimic those of the prior landmark, though the new, temporary structure is built of paper tube modules.
Sugamo Shinkin Bank, Ekoda Branch (2012) Another branch of the Sugamo Shinkin Bank features 29 tall exterior poles and 19 in the entryway, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
Sugamo Shinkin Bank, Ekoda Branch (2012) Another branch of the Sugamo Shinkin Bank features 29 tall exterior poles and 19 in the entryway, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
The Docklands
The Docklands
Koto clad the exteriors and decking with IRO timber, a heat-engineered timber that’s UV stable, HVOC-free and mimics the appearance of Shou Sugi Ban.
Koto clad the exteriors and decking with IRO timber, a heat-engineered timber that’s UV stable, HVOC-free and mimics the appearance of Shou Sugi Ban.
Pine tongue-and-groove boards were stained using the Scandinavian practice of pine tar and linseed oil to give the wood siding the look of Japanese shou sugi ban.
Pine tongue-and-groove boards were stained using the Scandinavian practice of pine tar and linseed oil to give the wood siding the look of Japanese shou sugi ban.
Originally built in 1949 by Richard Neutra, Alexander Ban, and Josef Van Der Kar, the Millard Kaufman Residence is located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California.
Originally built in 1949 by Richard Neutra, Alexander Ban, and Josef Van Der Kar, the Millard Kaufman Residence is located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California.
In 2013, Ban’s office introduced its new disaster housing prototype, the New Temporary House, whose exterior is made of insulated sandwich panels and fiber-reinforced plastic.
In 2013, Ban’s office introduced its new disaster housing prototype, the New Temporary House, whose exterior is made of insulated sandwich panels and fiber-reinforced plastic.

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