( CNN ) -- Shigeru Ban , the 57-year-old winner of this year 's Pritzker Prize -- arguably the world 's most prestigious architecture award -- is the Rumpelstiltskin of building design . For more than two decades he has taken simple materials , including paper and cardboard , and created life-changing structures for people impacted by natural disasters . In the aftermath of the 1995 earthquake in Kobe , Japan , Ban built temporary homes for Vietnamese refugees using beer crates filled with sandbags . In 2011 , after an earthquake and tsunami devastated large parts of Japan , Ban crafted homes from shipping containers . Last year he erected a cathedral made out of cardboard paper tubes for the people of Christchurch , New Zealand . From Haiti to Rwanda to China , his low-cost structures become symbols of hope for people rebuilding their lives . `` For me there is no difference between monumental architecture and temporary structures in disaster areas , '' he tells CNN . `` They give me the same kind of satisfaction . '' Ban is the second Japanese artist in a row to win the prestigious award , following on from last year 's winner Toyo Ito . Tom Pritzker , Chairman and President of The Hyatt Foundation , which sponsors the Pritzker Prize , said : `` He is an outstanding architect who , for twenty years , has been responding with creativity and high quality design to extreme situations caused by devastating natural disasters . His buildings provide shelter , community centers , and spiritual places for those who have suffered tremendous loss and destruction . '' Congratulations on winning the Pritzker Prize . Where were you when you heard the news ? I was driving in Tokyo and I got the phone call from [ executive director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize ] Martha Thorne . Since I was on the jury from 2006 to 2009 , I thought she was just joking . I had to stop and park the car . You 've earned global recognition for bridging the humanitarian and aesthetic aspects of architecture . Was it really such a surprise that you had won ? Honestly , it was a big surprise . I did n't expect it . As a juror I knew the level of the past winners and I did n't think I was at that level . But then it was explained to me that this year the jury considered not only the argument of architecture , but also my activities in disaster areas for 20 years . I carry on both activities simultaneously . So I thought this was not awarded because I reached a certain level as an architect , but as encouragement for me to continue working in disaster areas as well as designing architecture . Even more opportunities will now come your way . Is there a risk this prize could actually distract you from continuing your humanitarian work ? When some people receive a big award there are more opportunities for their projects and to expand their offices . I do n't want to make my office bigger . I like to design everything by myself and to go to the sites . I want to keep working in disaster areas . If I get more projects then I can spend less time on each project and I do n't want to lower the quality of each project . I think we have to be very careful to keep doing the same things , as we have done . How did the idea of working with cardboard come to you ? The strength and durability of a building has nothing to do with the material . Even a building built in concrete can be destroyed very easily . There can be a permanent building made out of cardboard tubes . In fact many of my temporary buildings have become permanent . When I first used the cardboard tube for the interior I knew this is strong enough to be a part of the structure . Starchitects tend to devote the bulk of their time to glamorous commissions . What drove you to disaster relief ? I was very disappointed about our profession . I thought that as architects we could work more for society . Historically speaking , architecture clients are people who had the money and the power . They wanted to visualize power and money with monumental architecture . That was the architect 's basic job historically . I 'm not saying that is a bad thing . I also want to make a monument . But I thought we should use our experience and knowledge for the public and victims of natural disasters too . I get the same satisfaction when I design a building for a disaster . There is no difference . The only difference is I am not paid . It 's pro bono . Are there young architects in the pipeline who want to follow in your footsteps ? When I give the lecture I always feel a strong reaction from young architects and students . They are interested in working for society and joining my team . When I was a student we used to think , `` I want to be a starchitect and big developer . '' The attitudes of young people are changing and I feel that . If I have been able to help . I think this is my biggest pleasure . Do you have any advice for those who want to go into `` disaster architecture '' ? I appreciate when people want to come and join my team and do this work . But instead of just working in a disaster area it 's important to travel a lot and to experience different cultures , different climates . It 's important for them to be good architects first .
Akira Ban is the third Japanese architect to win the Pritzker Prize in five years . Ban has spent two decades building structures for victims of natural disasters . He has built cathedrals from cardboard boxes and homes from beer crates .