Shigeru Ban kicks off works on a wooden residential tower in Antwerp, Belgium

In Japanese culture, Thursday, November 24, is a Taian Day (大安), a day of good luck and prosperity. It was also a special day for the residents of Nieuw Zuid (Antwerp) and the people of Triple Living, as star architect Shigeru Ban came in person to begin work on his project BAN.

During a press event, he explained his design and planted a Ginkgo Biloba, a Japanese wishing tree, on the property. In Japanese culture, the tree is worshipped almost like a god. It symbolises, among other things, hope, love, timelessness and long life.

During his visit to Nieuw Zuid in Antwerp, Shigeru Ban opened a special photo exhibition about his humanitarian work in disaster areas. It takes place in the exhibition space next to Triple Living's offices.

BAN: imposing and sustainable housing project

The imposing structure in Nieuw Zuid will be named BAN, after its creator. BAN consists of a tall 25-story residential tower and a separate building, which together offer 295 residential units. The Japanese-inspired courtyard garden, covering an area of no less than 6,000 m, will provide residents with a healthy dose of greenery and oxygen. The eye-catcher was designed by landscape architect Bas Smets, who was also commissioned to redesign the plant decor around Notre-Dame in Paris. The stunning indoor garden reflects Shigeru Ban's love of nature. "I wanted to create a place where people can unwind," Ban says. "A green environment is relaxing. In Japan, we have a term for that: shinrin-yoku. Relax by immersing yourself in greenery."

Characteristic architecture

BAN is a stunning design that features the architect's signature lines in the wood facades, making the building a true statement. The hybrid construction of wood, concrete and steel also makes the project special and is more ecological than a pure concrete construction. All apartments are very light-filled and embody a serenity typical of Shigeru Ban's architectural style. The views are unparalleled and reach all the way to the Scheldt River and Nieuw Zuid Park.

International interest

The strong interest in the Nieuw Zuid project proves that there is room for star architects in Belgium. The final sales phase is now being accelerated, and the project is also attracting great interest internationally. Buyers from the United States, Switzerland and Italy have already come forward. Developer Triple Living experienced the same phenomenon with Palazzo Verde, designed by renowned architect Stefano Boeri, which sold out in a very short time.

Interest rates also play a role

The current climate also plays a role in the good sales figures, says Esa van den Heuvel, communications manager for Triple Living: "Since the beginning of the year, prices for building materials have skyrocketed, making new buildings more expensive everywhere. Currently, bank loans are still cheap, but every week about ten percentage points are added. So if you wait until next year, you could end up with both a more expensive home and a higher loan. Buying today makes perfect sense. So we are seeing mostly people in their thirties and forties buying a home for their own use."

 Construction has begun at BAN, and the final sales phase is now underway. The entire project will be completed in December 2025. The base of the residential tower is expected to be completed a year earlier.

EXPO Shigeru Ban's aid for disaster areas

From November 25 to January 31, the Triple Living exhibition space (51b Michel De Braeystraat) will be transformed into a Shigeru Ban exhibition

Early in his career, Shigeru Ban discovered that cardboard tubes are much sturdier than thought as a building material. In the 1990s, he discovered that his recyclable cardboard structures could serve a greater purpose. It was during this time that Shigeru Ban became aware of his social obligation as an architect. He co-founded the Voluntary Architects Network, a non-governmental organisation whose goal is to provide decent (temporary) housing for victims in disaster areas. With little time and a small budget, Shigeru Ban manages to achieve results in disaster areas that are at least as impressive as his better-known large-scale projects.

The exhibition space is covered with Ban's signature Paper Partition System (PPS), a sturdy frame made of durable cardboard draped with canvases. These canvases depict his work in disaster areas around the world, from the Japanese log cabins of the 1990s to shelters in Rwanda to this year's shelters for Ukrainian refugees.

The exhibit can be visited free of charge on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between noon and 6 p.m. each day. Group visits of 6 people or more are also possible outside opening hours, but only by appointment via [email protected].