shigeru ban and VAN install paper partition shelters for ukrainian refugees in europe

shigeru ban responds to the ukrainian refugee crisis

the voluntary architects’ network (VAN)—the non-profit organization led by shigeru ban—has installed emergency shelters for ukrainian refugees in neighboring poland, as well as in ukraine itself, and france. the paper partition system (PPS) is simple and quick to install, composed of cardboard tubes and fabric curtains to ensure privacy. the system developed by VAN has previously been used to shelter victims of natural disasters, people struggling with homelessness, and as temporary COVID-19 vaccination booths. 

image by voluntary architects’ network (VAN)

former supermarket in chelm

before rolling out the paper partition system at two sites, the team assembled a prototype structure at wroclaw university of science and technology. they adjusted the dimensions of a single unit to 2.3m x 2m. 

on march 11th, 319 of the cardboard shelters were erected at a former supermarket in chelm, close to the ukrainian border. the installation was undertaken by students from wroclaw university of science and technology led by weronika abramczyk. refugees moved into the facility on march 12th. 

image by voluntary architects’ network (VAN)

wroclaw railway station

on march 12th, 60 units of the paper partition system were installed at wroclaw main’s railway station. they were also erected by the students under the supervision of architect agata jasiolek.

the ukraine refugee assistance project is being realized by VAN and shigeru ban architects in cooperation with a group led by polish architect hubert trammer and jerzy latka from wroclaw university. VAN says it will continue to provide PPS to temporary refugee facilities in poland. 

images by maciej bujko

two gymnasiums in paris

between march 22nd and march 25th, VAN installed the paper partition system in two gymnasiums in the 10th and 12th arrondissements of paris. respectively 42 units and 28 units (1unit = 2.2m x 2.2m) of PPS were installed. ‘we hope that the refugees will be able to return to ukraine as soon as possible, but VAN and shigeru ban architects would like to continue to do our best to make life at the refuge as comfortable as possible,’ notes the team.PPS in paris, image by voluntary architects’ network (VAN)

the paper partition system was also installed in liviv, ukraine, as announced on march 26th. in cooperation with mykhailo schevchenko , oleksandr anisimov and oleg drozdov, 82units were installed at university of veterinary medicine, 120units were installed at SC galychyna.

image by voluntary architects’ network (VAN)

image by voluntary architects’ network (VAN)

images by jerzy latka

project info:

name: ukraine refugee assistance project

architecture: VAN + shigeru ban architects

team: hubert trammer, jerzy latka, agata jasiolek, weronika abramczyk