‘paper concert hall’ by shigeru ban, aquila, italy images courtesy of shigeru ban

shigeru ban‘s ‘paper concert hall’ opened earlier this month in aquila, italy. given as a gift from the japanese government after an earthquake ravished the region, the temporary concert hall represents a sense of solidarity and support for reconstruction from one country to the other.

a skewed oval cuts through the interior volume, which is defined by 44 encompassing pillars and a simple pitched roof. housing 230 seats, the temporary unit – which currently resides opposite the alfredo casella conservatory – is a durable and functional space can be dismantled and built elsewhere. covering over 700 square meters, the structure is composed of steel, cardboard concrete and clay sacks that embody the material and structural characteristics ban is known for.

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 2 exterior

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 3 entrance

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 4 inside oval concert hall

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 5 site plan / floor plan level 0

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 6 section

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 7 section

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 8 south elevation

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 9 east elevation

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 10 north elevation

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 11 west elevation

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 12 sketches of details, plans and sections

shigeru ban: paper concert hall in l'aquila - 13 sketches of details, plans and sections