Bamboo: the future of a vernacular
building material
Photo: Felix Heisel
Photos (2): Felix Heisel
Photo: AP Hebel
Photo: AP Hebel
Photo: AP Hebel
Photos (2): Alireza Javadian
Photo: Alireza Javadian
Photo: Alireza Javadian
Photo: Alireza Javadian
Photo: Alireza Javadian
The Chair of Architecture and Construction at the Future Cities Laboratory in Singapore concentrates its research on ‘alternative modern’ construction materials. One of them is bamboo. It is renewable, CO2 neutral and could be an alternative to the steel component in reinforced concrete structures.
In most developing territories worldwide, vernacular structures made from bamboo or earth masonry have a long, usually successful history. The materials are easy to obtain, affordable and simple to handle with a knowledge that is deeply rooted in the culture and identity of the people. But they are locked in particular cultures and places and are seen as backward-oriented and outdated. This is in contrast to the ‘global players’ such as steel, concrete and glass.
The Chair of Architecture and Construction at the Future Cities Laboratory in Singapore concentrates its research on ‘alternative...
