If you haven’t yet seen the Alvar Aalto exhibition at the Barbican, you really should - at least if you have the slightest interest in architecture and design, and in exploring how this can be combined with a thoroughly humanistic worldview. Aalto’s design of the Paimio Tuberculosis Sanatorium from 1933 shows an architect concerned with usability and aesthetics but more than that with a concern for the human being. The patients’ room are designed with the comfort of the patient in mind; lights are placed high on the wall and are upturned so as to not bother the eyes, curtains can be stowed away – all so that the patient, who would be lying down for most of the time, can be as relaxed as possible. To Aalto, architecture is for everyone - not just the privileged should live in beautiful, comfortable surroundings.

The exhibition has been curated by the Japanese, American-based architect Shigeru Ban. Ban is the winner of the competition launched by the Centre Pompidou in Paris, to create a new arts centre in Metz. The Barbican has a small showing of Ban's independent works as well as an investigation into the similarities to style and approach in Ban and Aalto's works. Highly impressive are Ban's paper structures, most of which function as temporary shelters, office spaces and exhibitions. The Paper Church, which was built to serve as a community centre/church shortly after the Kobe earthquake in 1995, has since been used in Taiwan and can be folded and/or recycled after use. Ban has also built shelters for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka and is generally concerned with using architecture in humanitarian aid.

Alvar Aalto: Through the Eyes of Shigeru Ban is at the Barbican until 13th May.
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