Building with bamboo on World Bamboo Day
Today (18 September) is World Bamboo Day. At MaterialDistrict, we love bamboo, as it is one of the most sustainable and versatile materials in the world. You can, for example, spin into a fabric and even use it in 3D printing. However, it is perhaps best known for its use in construction. Below you will find some recent architectural project featuring bamboo. Happy World Bamboo Day!
Son La Ceremonial Dome
Vo Trong Nghia (VTN) Architects is known for their use of bamboo in their buildings. One of their most recent projects using the material is in Son La City, in the Vietnamese highlands, an area with an abundance of bamboo.
The project consists of 5 bamboo dome structures rising at different heights to echo the mountain line behind. VTN Architects uses techniques taken from traditional basket weaving. Each roof has a double-layered system that is padded with thatch.
Thread
This Senegalese cultural centre, designed by Toshiko Mori Architect, has a main structure of bamboo and earth blocks for the walls. The bricks were formed on site and help absorb heat. The building’s twisted roof, made from a bamboo construction and covered by thatch, provides shelter to the enclosed workshop spaces.
Bamboo Sports Hall
Chiangmai Life Construction prides itself in their use of earth and bamboo architecture. One of their latest projects, the sports hall at Panyaden International School, is no exception. Panyaden International School is build only with natural materials, to bring the children closer to nature.
The design of the sports hall is based on the lotus flower, covering 783 square metres (8430 square feet) and including various sports courts. On the inside of the building, the bamboo structure is uncovered. The sports hall’s carbon footprint is zero, as the carbon absorbed by the bamboo is much higher than the carbon emitted during treatment, transport and construction.
Sun Room pavilion
Architecture students from the University of Hong Kong created a woven bamboo pavilion, combining old weaving techniques and digital design technologies.
The art of bamboo weaving is in steep decline in the Hong Kong region, as it is very complex and relies on skilled labour. The students worked with local craftspeople and the last bamboo weaver in the village of Peitian to create the Sun Room pavilion. The pavilion has an outer shell made from woven bamboo and a load bearing structure from pine.
Can’t get enough of bamboo? Order our bamboo book Booming Bamboo here.
Photos: VTN Architects (via Designboom) / TMA (via Dezeen) / CLC / HKU