For those familiar with the early career of Shigeru Ban, works that come to mind are those introducing paper tubes as a substitute for wooden structural elements. His vision transformed this simple element into a tool to realize spatial creations of great impact but modest economic means, and is still a symbol of his ability to focus on the inherent properties of materials to structure new spaces. Ironically, in his current exhibition at TOTO Gallery Ma, Shigeru Ban: Projects in Progress, there are no major projects on display that use paper tubes. As a testament to his dedication to explore new materials, he currently focuses on the magnificent potential of wood to support grand spatial structures that were previously assumed to require steel and concrete. With almost all of the exhibits representing projects in progress, one may witness firsthand the level of diversity that Ban has reached in the structure and fabrication of wood in order to attain such large-scale spaces. As one might expect, the highlight of each exhibit is the fascinating display of building mock-ups that convey the importance of conceiving of new spatial creations through the investigation of material and structure.

The major focus of the exhibition is La Seine Musicale, a music complex located on Seguin Island in the River Seine just outside of Paris. Just completed this year (2017), it is the largest built accomplishment of Ban's career, and likely to be hailed as the new symbolic gateway to Paris. While the majority of the building is quietly integrated into the landscape of the island, the major element is a circular concert hall formed by a wooden structure resembling a wooden basket. A four-meter-long section model and a time-lapse video of the construction explain the project in great detail. Life-sized material samples feature tiles that turn color according to the angle from which they are viewed, and green polycrystalline PV solar panels that rotate around the structure to provide effective shade on the glass façade at all hours of the day.

While taking on large projects around the globe, Ban still remains committed to providing innovative solutions for places struck by disaster. Kumamoto Wooden Prefabricated Housing provided a quick and economic housing solution for residents of Mifune, Kumamoto after the earthquake disaster of 2016. A life-sized section reconstruction shows the innovative use of exposed structure, incorporating closet storage into the depth of its frame. Equally important, because of the lack of available carpenters at the time, the pre-cut plywood structure allowed for easy construction without professional training.

The Yufu City Tourist Information Center, located next to JR Yufuin Station in Kyushu, is expected to be complete in March 2018. Perhaps one could consider this a modern-day version of a gothic cathedral, as each of its columns extends up into four separate branches and arches into an elegant ceiling canopy. While the building model at first glance appears to be a simple rectangular glass volume, the 1 to 3 scaled mock-up of the wooden columns and arches conveys the remarkable space inside.

"Watch Company Headquarters in Switzerland" is the head office for a major Swiss watchmaker in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Taking advantage of the highly advanced timber processing techniques in this region, the building structure consists of two very different timber framing systems that reflect the building usage. Wooden mock-up exhibits at scale 1/3 show the contrasting systems, one a rigid orthogonal columns and beam system, the other an organic curvilinear shell that extends along the site. An accompanying video exhibit shows the advanced fabrication at the Swiss factory, an impressive process of automated computer-controlled assembly lines reminiscent of a precision car factory.