Bamboo Construction: Advantages, Construction Techniques, and Examples

In ancient times, bamboo was used as a construction material for several structures like buildings, bridges, and scaffoldings mostly in Southeast Asia and South America. But recently, with sustainable construction trending in the architecture field, bamboo as a building material is also being brought back.

Bamboo is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials, and it has a number of unique properties that make it well-suited for use in construction.

Advantages Of Bamboo Construction

1. High Strength: 

One of the key benefits of bamboo construction is its strength and durability. Bamboo has a high tensile strength and a low weight-to-strength ratio, which makes it an ideal material for use in construction. 

2. Resistance To Pests:

It is also resistant to pests and rot, which makes it a long-lasting and reliable choice for building projects.

3. A Sustainable Option:

In addition to its strength and durability, bamboo is also a sustainable and environmentally friendly building material. 

4. Renewal Source Of Material:

It is a rapidly renewable resource that can be harvested and replanted, making it a more sustainable alternative to traditional building materials such as wood, concrete, and steel.

5. Flexibility:

Bamboo construction is used in a variety of contexts, including both residential and commercial buildings. It is particularly popular in tropical and subtropical regions, where bamboo is abundant and grows quickly.

Disadvantages Of Bamboo Construction

1. Shrinkage Problem: Bamboo shrinks when it loses moisture, causing problems to the structure.

2. Maintenance And Preservation: Bamboo needs high maintenance and preservation, which might prove to be costly. In case of improper maintenance, the structure might lose its durability and other properties like pest resistance.

Construction Techniques Using Bamboo

There are several different types of bamboo construction techniques that are used in architecture, including structural bamboo, bamboo panel construction, and bamboo composite construction. Each of these techniques has its own unique benefits and characteristics, and they are used in different contexts depending on the needs of the project.

Usually, bamboo is first split into desired form. Some structures might need the entire round shape, but others might need it to be cut in half or quarters. To achieve the desired form, bamboo is bent and then heated to above 150 degrees, after which it permanently retains that shape.

Examples Of Bamboo Construction

1. Kontum Indochine Café, Vietnam

The Café, located in the Kontum city, has two major buildings:

• a main building with a roof made of bamboo structure 
• a kitchen made of concrete frames and stones

Elements Of The Building

• Shallow Lake: There is an artificially made shallow Lake around the main building.
• Roof Structure: The horizontal roof and column structures are made of bamboo. It also has fiber-reinforced plastic panels and thatch.  

Sustainable Elements Incorporated:

• Daylighting: The dining area is semi-open. The panels on the roof allow natural light to light up the entire space.
• Ventilation: Cool interiors are achieved by leaving the dining open to winds flowing across the surface of water around. This technique eliminates the need for air conditioning, even during summers, completely.

2. Sharma Springs, Indonesia

The Sharma Springs, located in Bali, overlooking the Ayung river, is currently the tallest structure made of bamboo in the city. The six-flooted structure has:

• 4 bedrooms with attached toilets
• Library
• Playroom
• A semi-open seating are facing the sunset in Ayund river
• A private study
• Yoga and massage pavilion

Elements Of The Building

• Height Of The Structure: The structure is 6 story high.
• Entrance: The entryway to the building is through a tunnel which opens out to the open-air living space.
• Aesthetics: The bamboo structures and furniture have interesting patterns and forms.

Sustainable Elements Incorporated:

• Material Usage: The entire building is almost entirely made of bamboo, making it extremely sustainable.
• Natural Lighting: Most of the rooms are either open air or sit-outs, allowing plenty of natural light to penetrate into the interiors.

3. Naman Retreat, Vietnam

Located in Ngu Nahn Son, Vietnam, Naman retreat is a green complex made of different types of bamboo, based on their properties and functions. The complex has:

• Resort, accommodating guests
• Conference hall

Elements Of The Building:

• Roof Structure: The pitched roof of the conference hall is made of columns. It is asymmetrical to create visual interest for the users.
• Bamboo Vault: Bamboo frames support the building, spanning over 13.5 metres inside. 

Sustainable Elements Incorporated:

• Material Usage: Bamboo was a locally available, renewable material in that area. Two types of bamboo was used in construction- Luong bamboo was used for its strength and large span. Tam vong bamboo was used for its flexibility features which was needed for construction of arches.
• Prefabricated Structures: The construction cost and time was greatly reduced due to prefabrication of the bamboo frame. This method proved to be safe, sustainable and highly efficient.

Overall, bamboo construction is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials. It is strong, durable, and resistant to pests and rot, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of building projects.