Storya: Daan Bantayan, Cebu (Shigeru Ban's Bamboo Workshop)

D A A N  B A N T A Y A N, C E B U

These are the students from the University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts along with 5 others (including the person who took this photo) and 8 Japanese students who volunteered to continue the 3rd and last workshop of Pritzker Architecture Prize awardee, Shigeru Ban, the Paper tube transitional house in Daan Bantayan.

It has already been almost a year after typhoon Yolanda struck the country with its ravaging 300Kph winds and destroyed lives of families in the northern part of the visayan region. Even if the media reports billions of donations from the other neighbouring countries, locals are still on the midst of regaining back their lost livelihood and their houses up until now. Fortunately, Arch't Shigeru Ban, his project, and his team immediately responded to aid the needs of the affected families, the need for shelter.

PAPER TUBE HOUSE

The paper tube house is literally made out of paper tubes. These tubes are manufactured in Manila and shipped to Cebu for Arch't. Shigeru Ban's project. Paper tubes are Arch't. Ban's specialty and favourite. He has projects around the world and they are truly award- winning (Read more about Shigeru Ban here). Although doubts and questions have been raised for the structure's efficiency, these have all been answered by Arch't. Ban's team.

Before we left for Bantayan, the tubes have already been cut into the specific sizes, waterproofed,  wholes have already been drilled, plans are complete, as well as the materials. Since it was already the last workshop, there were already 3 completely assembled houses on site that served as the shelter for the materials in case the rain pours.

Just like any building construction, we must always start at the bottom, the base. The earth or the land where the base sits should be relatively flat. The plastic crates collected as donations from private companies are placed into symmetrical positions. Bags of sand (from the shore nearby; and as with the permission of the residents) are placed into sacks which serves as weights for the crates. Another layer of crates are added, then, using tie wires, tie the crates together. Plastic is used to cover the crates and then add the plywood for the floors. Tie wires are again used to attach the plywood to the base.

                   Plywood that is cut into blocks are drilled into specific points to determine the location of the column tubes on the floor plan. That's us on the photo above holding on to the tubes while the others work on the beams upper and lower beams. Some tubes need to be taped together using a special tape for more  stability. The columns are sealed with screws onto the drilled blocks. For stability, the lower beams are tied with the tie wires and interlace it with the plywood floor and the crates. A day is not enough for us to finish the whole house so we need to wrap everything up with plastic to prevent the house from getting wet (especially the tubes). The other materials have to be kept inside the finished houses as well.

We stayed for 3 days and 2 night but that too wasn't enough for us to be able to assemble more than 2 houses. On the last day, we were able to assemble the 5th of 6 houses but left it roofless because we ran out of time. The finished houses were also turned- over to the families by Arch't. Shigeru Ban himself who flew all the way from Japan. We wouldn't be able to accomplish and finish the houses if it weren't for the helping hands of our friends who came and guided us into building the shelters. I truly agree that they are very hardworking and I enjoyed working with them. I just hope someday we'll meet again.

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We weren't all just work, work, work. We also had fun moments; at least during the night, and I'm pretty sure our new friends enjoyed a little of our culture. They tried our all- time favourite, Balot and learned a little of our Cebuano words. It's impossible for us to deprive ourselves from the fun part of the trip because of the beautiful beach fronting us. We stayed on a resort. It wasn't the fancy resort kind of 'resort' but it's alright. The people especially the kids just welcomed us with their hospitality. That made the trip most memorable.

I am very grateful I volunteered for this workshop. I made new friends and helped the people who needs. I also met a famous architect. Although I wasn't able to take a selfie with him, but at least I was with him in some group pictures. I am happy that the workshop was successful and I will always remember the experience and treasure it. 

Credits to the owners of the pictures I grabbed from Facebook. Thank you!