Emergency Architecture
At the time of writing this note, the wider region of Santorini has been shaken by continuous earthquakes for three consecutive weeks. This rare geological phenomenon for Greece -and the uncertainty surrounding its possible outcomes and impacts on both the natural and built environment- has sparked an intense debate about construction practices on the island and beyond.
The small, cave-like vaulted houses with their thick walls, characteristic of Santorini’s settlements, represent not only a vernacular aesthetic but also a traditional architectural response to life in a highly seismic environment. By contrast, the island’s more recent surge of overbuilding, driven by ever-expanding tourism, raises serious concerns: how much additional strain has this placed on its fragile volcanic soil?
One must ask whether adequate geotechnical studies and proper slope reinforcements have been carried out -or whether a strong earthquake could trigger landslides that bring entire constructions down with them. In any case, there is an urgent need to rethink how we intervene in this sensitive landscape, as well as to prepare immediate housing solutions for residents in the event of widespread structural damage.
Over the years, several leading architects have explored this field, responding to the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters caused by climate change. Their efforts focus on designing and producing standardized units that can provide swift, dignified shelter for people displaced by natural or human-made catastrophes- including war. This emerging discipline has come to be known as emergency architecture.
To meet the needs of affected populations, these constructions must satisfy specific criteria: ease of transport and assembly (often relying on prefabricated elements), the ability to incorporate local materials, durability under local environmental conditions, and above all, rapid deployment. A recent example is the Paper Log House by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, proposed after the earthquakes in Turkey, Syria, and Morocco in 2023.
Unlike other Pritzker Prize laureates such as Norman Foster and Alejandro Aravena, Ban has spent decades refining his approach, beginning in 1994 during the Rwandan civil war. His designs emphasize recyclable, low-cost materials such as cardboard tubes, fabric, wood, and recycled plastic.
His widely recognized work demonstrates that architecture can serve as an innovative tool for delivering immediate, practical, and humane solutions in times of humanitarian crisis.
Ariadni Vozani
