shigeru ban's first UK project to be a residential scheme composed of timber

pritzker prize wining architect shigeru ban has been commissioned to design a luxury residential scheme for his first project in the UK. collaborating with british firm waugh thistleton, the housing and office space, will be based at a valuable piece of land in pottersfield, central london- near tower bridge owned by developer john curran. the design, comprised of cross-laminated timber will demonstrate the architect’s celebrated approach of integrating traditional japanese carpentry which is seen in many of his buildings. as reported by bd online, no designs have been confirmed yet with public consultation to take place later this summer and planning application to be submitted towards the end of this year.

inside shigeru ban’s tamedia building where he demonstrates his techniques of timber construction
image © didier boy de la tour | main image by shigeru ban architects / courtesy of the pritzker prize

an example of shigeru ban’s previous timber-based project the headquarters for swiss media company tamedia where it features a large scale structural system made entirely of wood. displaying various traditions of meticulous japanese carpentry, the impressive size of the interlocking wooden network–entirely devoid of joint hardware and glue– is rendered an honest and rather delicate lattice behind a low-e coated glass skin.

he is known for integrating traditional japanese carpentry into his designs
image © reto oeschger