Shoe design reflected in the work of an architect

In April 2011, Spanish shoe label Camper made the collaboration with the sailing team 'Emirates Team New Zealand' for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12 public. Several online videos introduce into the collaboration; such as the one (video) where company owner Lorenzo Fluxá speaks about similarities between shoe design and the construction of a boat - both have to perform well. In October 2011 on occasion of the start of the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante (Spain), Camper has unveiled the next 'interdisciplinary' project: this time a lightweight pavilion by architect Shigeru Ban. The pavilion is made for easy traveling and designed to be used by all generations.

fig.: Japanese architect Shigeru Ban is known for lightweight buildings made of materials such as paper. He designed the Camper Volvo Ocean Race pavilion which premiered at the end of October 2011 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo taken on 29 October 2011.)

“I started working with the idea of using recycled paper when nobody was talking about recycling, environmental consciousness, and sustainability. The strength of the building has nothing to do with the strength of the material. Even a concrete building can easily be destroyed by an earthquake, but a paper building cannot be destroyed by an earthquake because it is lightweight. That’s why even making the structure out of the paper tube, which is weaker than wood, can be very prominent yet also very strong.

fig.: Inside the pavilion (six metres tall, made of cardboard columns of varying widths, a tent and metal), the visitor will find a clothing, shoes shop and an interactive kiosk. It is announced that the pavilion is prepared for jazz sessions or even gin and tonic master classes.

fig.: The Camper pavilion is designed to go on travel easily; view at the pavilion on 29 October 2011 in Alicante, Spain, on occasion of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12.
Photos on this page: (C) Chris Cameron 2011 www.chriscameron.co.nz.

Video: Japanese architect Shigeru Ban speaks about his approach to build the pavilion for the Spanish shoe brand Camper which premiered at the end of October 2011 at the start of the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante in Spain.




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