Bamboo is a very resistant, versatile, and sustainable natural building material, which can be used to build structures and decorative elements. This article explores its diverse applications in a selection of projects for public spaces.
Bamboo: The Latest Architecture and News
11 Examples of Public Spaces and Facilities Using Bamboo
Local Techniques in Big Cities: Beyond Earth and Bamboo
Vernacular techniques and local materials are becoming more and more relevant in architecture, but is it possible to bring these concepts to large urban areas?
In 1984, the Amazonian architect Severiano Porto had already pointed out the need to make architecture more connected to its location. Using local materials and techniques is becoming more important each day, considering the impacts of the commodity chain of building construction on the planet. Not surprisingly, the number of projects that use this approach is growing every day, as Severiano has already mentioned in his work since the 1980s.
Kengo Kuma Creates Multisensory Bamboo Installation for Milan Design Week
For the 2021 Milan Design Week, Kengo Kuma Associates designed a bamboo installation that merges form, materiality and music, creating a multisensory experience. Created in collaboration with smart device manufacturer OPPO, Bamboo (竹) Ring :|| Weaving a Symphony of Lightness and Form answers the "Creative Connections" theme by merging architecture and music, as well as craftsmanship and technology.
Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School / Chiangmai Life Construction
Towards a Sustainable Future: Local Materials and Methods in Contemporary Chinese Architecture
Over the course of the last decade there has been a growing interest in the handcrafted buildings, as well as in the application of local and renewable materials in building construction. Under the concerns about the heavy environmental and economic expenses caused by construction, nowadays urban planners are embracing the concept of sustainability, which refers to “meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Bamboo Playground / Blue Temple
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Architects: Blue Temple
- Area: 95 m²
- Year: 2019
Casamia Community House / VTN Architects
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Architects: VTN Architects
- Area: 1600 m²
- Year: 2021
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Professionals: VTN Architects
The Arc at Green School / IBUKU
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Architects: IBUKU
- Area: 760 m²
- Year: 2021
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Professionals: Atelier One
Roofing Systems for Bamboo Buildings
Roofings are perhaps the most fundamental architectural element of bamboo buildings (together with foundations). Well-designed and built roofs play a key role in protecting a bamboo structure whilst adding to the beauty and experience of the space. What qualifies as a well-designed bamboo roof?
There are a couple of key elements that need to be considered: 1) the overhangs of the roof to mitigate the weathering of bamboo poles from direct sun and rain, 2) the pitch of the roof for water flow, 3) the spacing of the rafters for rigidity, and finally, 4) the material used. In Bali, we have experimented with many different roofing materials and techniques. In this article, we share 5 of the most commonly used roofing systems for our bamboo buildings:
A Bamboo Majlis for the 2021 Venice Biennale Designed by Simón Vélez and Stefana Simic
Part of the official collateral events of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia, Caravane Earth Foundation will bring a unique bamboo Majlis, to the gardens of the Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. Designed by internationally acclaimed bamboo architects Simón Vélez and Stefana Simic, the project will be on display from 22 May to 21 November 2021.
How Bamboo Bends to Create Curved Structures
Bamboo has endless possibilities and when combined with creativity, it can lead to a wide range of interesting shapes. In its natural form, it is a straight, slightly tapering pole. But how do we bend it to create fluid, dynamic spaces? Bamboo is naturally flexible and can be flexed into a slight bend and simple framed structures can be built using bamboo’s natural straight form.
However, it requires specific techniques to achieve extensive curvilinear forms. In the structures we build here in Bali, there are 3 techniques to create curved structures using bamboo. These are:
Kura Kura Badminton Courts / IBUKU + Studio Jencquel
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Architects: IBUKU, Studio Jencquel
- Area: 300 m²
- Year: 2016
Kindergarten Classroom at Green School / IBUKU
Wuyishan Bamboo Raft Factory / TAO - Trace Architecture Office
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Architects: TAO - Trace Architecture Office
- Area: 14629 m²
- Year: 2013
Floating Nest / atelier NgNg
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Architects: atelier NgNg
- Area: 192 m²
- Year: 2020
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Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Jotun, LG Electronics, Philips, Rhino
Meditation Cathedral & Sunset Sala / Chiangmai Life Architects
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Architects: Chiangmai Life Architects
- Area: 272 m²
- Year: 2018
Bamboo Formwork and Exposed Concrete in Architectural Projects
While concrete is without a doubt the world's go-to building material thanks to its durability, malleability, and ability to withstand a wide range of climates, it is also the principal source of CO2 emissions within the realm of construction. To combat this and reduce their creations' carbon footprint, many architects have begun experimenting and innovating in a bid to optimize concrete's technical qualities while diminishing its impact on the environment. Among these efforts, there are several projects that have explored the possibility of replacing traditional frameworks with more sustainable materials like bamboo, a resource that grows in abundance throughout many regions of the world and, along with having minimal environmental impact, renders high quality textured detailing on a variety of architectural surfaces.