WORKS - PAPER TUBE STRACTURES PAPER LOG HOUSES - Kobe, Japan, 1994 / Kaynasli, Turkey, 2000 / Bhuj, India, 2001
These are temporary “log” houses built for the victims of the earthquakes in Kobe, Kaynasli and Bhuj. <Japan > The foundation consists of donated beer crates loaded with sandbags. The walls are made from 106mm diameter, 4mm thick paper tubes, with tenting material for the roof. The 1.8m space between houses was used as a common area. For insulation, a waterproof sponge tape backed with adhesive is sandwiched between the paper tubes of the walls. The cost of materials for one 52 square meter unit is below $2000. The unit are easy to dismantle, and the materials easily disposed or recycled. <Turkey> Based on the shelter in Kobe, Japan, some improvements were applied to fit in with the environment in Turkey. One unit, for example, was 3 x 6m, a different and slightly larger configuration, which was due to the standard size of plywood in Turkey and also to the country’s larger average family size. Secondly, there was more insulation. Shredded wastepaper was inserted inside the tubes along the walls and fiberglass in the ceiling, and also cardboard and plastic sheets were used for more insulation, depending the resident’s needs.
		<India> What makes the India’s log house unique is the foundation and the roof. Rubble from destroyed building was used for the foundation instead of beer crates, which could not be found in this area. It was coated with a traditional mud floor. For the roof, split bamboo was applied to the rib vaults and whole bamboo to the ridge beams. A locally woven cane mat was placed over the bamboo ribs, followed by a clear plastic tarpaulin to protect against rain, then another cane mat. Ventilation was provided through the gables, where small holes in the mats allowed air to circulate. This ventilation also allowed cooking to be done inside, with the added benefit of repelling mosquitoes. For the roof, split bamboo was applied to the rib vaults and whole bamboo to the ridge beams. A locally woven cane mat was placed over the bamboo ribs, followed by a clear plastic tarpaulin to protect against rain, then another cane mat. Ventilation was provided through the gables, where small holes in the mats allowed air to circulate. This ventilation also allowed cooking to be done inside, with the added benefit of repelling mosquitoes.
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