During an interview at the recently-concluded Salone del Mobile in Milan, 2014 Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban commented that young architects are becoming more interested in working on humanitarian projects.
Ban believes that the recent occurrences of natural disasters all over the world are changing the perception of young architects with regard to their profession. Events such as the tsunami in Japan, says Ban, have made architects evaluate their skills and use them for humanitarian causes.
Ban also related the disillusion that he had when he was younger and how it is similar to what is happening to the younger generation. He said, “When I was a student everyone was working for big developers to make big buildings.’ Ban added, “And now, there are many students and younger architects who are asking to join my team, to open programs in disaster areas.”
The notable architect, who was also a part of the installation “Where Architects Live” installation during Milan Design Week along with Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and other architects of the same breath, said that the changing face of architecture is really encouraging.
Ban said during the interview that the newer breeds of architects are turning away from urban work and made way to the developers. “Now cities are being made by developers, not architects or not urban planners. They’re made by developers. So one way is this but many people are interested in working for society also.”
Ban has gained worldwide recognition for his humanitarian work, helping build temporary shelters using cardboard-based structures in areas affected by natural disasters. Last month, Ban was awarded with the 2014 Pritzker Prize which is considered as the highest honor in architecture.
According to Pritzker Prize jury chairman Peter Palumbo, “Shigeru Ban is a force of nature, which is entirely appropriate in the light of his voluntary work for the homeless and dispossessed in areas that have been devastated by natural disasters.”
