Bamboo Symphony

India / Bangalore
13.0735199, 77.6204195
Client Name: Manasaram Architects
Project website: http://www.manasaramarchitects.com/interior-bamboo-symphony.html
249,99,58,0.6

Project Description
The building redefines the designing of an office space by creating an atmosphere that is in
constant dialogue with nature. The open plan of the building brings in natural light from all
directions throughout the day. The environment thus created enables the architects to stay
energetic and creative, reducing stress and fatigue. Manasaram Architects always consider
each project as a research project and put their technologies of sustainable construction to
the test. The office was also built this way, exploring innovative methods to use natural
materials like Bamboo, mud, stone and waste etc.

Building Details
Type of Building
Office

Type of project
New Building Project

Site Area
680 m²

Number of Floors
1 (with 4 different levels)

Gross floor area

210 m²

Net floor area

180 m²

Non Air-conditioned area

180 m²

Performance Standards
Eligible for IGBC Platinum Rating. (The office is a part of a residence cum office project and hence has shared services. The
rating is on hold as it is planned to be carried out for the entire site which is a housing layout.)

Total Cost
INR 16 lakhs

Cost per m²
INR 7619

Year of completion
2011

Year of occupancy
2011

Project Team
Organisation
Manasaram Architects
Website
www,manasaramarchitects.com

General contractor
Aditi Constructions

Structural Engineer
Manasaram Architects

Architech
Neelam Manjunath

Architect's profile
Ar. Neelam Manjunath – Brief Profile Ar. Neelam Manjunath is an architect, planner, scientist, activist and theoretician, with
two graduate degrees, in Science from REI Degree College, Dayalbagh, Agra and in Architecture, from Govt. College of
Architecture, Lucknow in 1987. Her education, however, is much wider and includes training in several skills related to
sustainable architecture, Media Architecture and Charrettee Training from Graduate School of Design, Harvard University,
as well as a PG Diploma in Theology from Dayalbagh University, Agra. She is a practicing architect since 1991, currently
based in Bangalore. Her architecture is distinguished for the use of low energy materials and technologies with special
emphasis on Bamboo. Awards and Accomplishments: • She has won the prestigious Sir M Vishwesvaraya Prize (2005) for
innovative use of bamboo. • The IIA-Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Award (2005) for Excellence in Rural
Architecture, for design of a residential school at Gandsi, Hassan Dist. Karnataka. • 2nd Runner-up in the Architectural
Competition held for "Providing Architectural design concept for Police Bhawan to be constructed for KSRP at koromangala,
Bangalore, in view of KSRP Golden Jubilee Year". • The WAC- World Architecture Community awards in 2013, for “Bamboo
Symphony” • Lafarge Invention awards(2011) for “Bamboo Symphony” • Nomination for Aga Khan Award for Architecture
2013 for her office project “Bamboo Symphony”. • Her project “House of Five Elements” was shortlisted for World
Architecture News Awards, 2013. • Archi Design Award for Best Design in Sustainable Projects, 2013 for “Bamboo
Symphony” • Shortlisted for NDTV awards under ‘Social’ Category for “Cocoon- Educational Pavilion” and “Guest house-ICT
DEI” and under ‘Environmental Design’ for “Bamboo Symphony”. • Her work has been published widely in over 10
languages in over 19-20 countries and she has presented her works in several national and international forums and
conferences. Professional Associations: • Founder and Managing Trustee - Centre for Green Building Materials and
Technology, Bangalore. CGBMT is actively involved in R&D of innovative building materials and technologies and organises
Eco-literacy workshops and training programs frequently. CGBMT is running BAT, “Bamboo Application Technology”
courses from academic session 2011-12 from its Bangalore centre in distance education mode with Dayalbagh University,
Agra for graduates, supervisors and artisans. • Member, Technical Committee, World Bamboo Congress, 2015 • Co-
Convener and Co-Chair of Technical Committee, International Bamboo Conclave,2014 • Executive Committee member-
Bamboo Society of India Her passion for sustainable architecture and the use of bamboo as a sustainable material reflects
in all her works of architecture.

Architech
Sanjita Harwalkar

Other (Please specify)

Dr. Yogananda Professor, Compressed stabilized mud blocks

Other (Please specify)

A.R. Shivakumar Professor, Rainwater harvesting

Other (Please specify)

CDD Society, DEWATs Waste water treatment

Climate Analysis
Describe the local climate
Bangalore has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Due to its high elevation, Bangalore usually
enjoys a more moderate climate throughout the year, although occasional heat waves can make summer somewhat
uncomfortable. The coolest month is December with an average low temperature of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) and the hottest
month is April with an average high temperature of 36 °C (97 °F). Winter temperatures rarely drop below 12 °C (54 °F),
and summer temperatures seldom exceed 37 °C (99 °F). Bangalore receives rainfall from both the northeast and the
southwest monsoons and the wettest months are September, October and August, in that order. The summer heat is
moderated by fairly frequent thunderstorms,
Design Approach
Concept
Bamboo Symphony is the office of Manasaram Architects. Hence the basic requirement of the Project was to embody their
Design and other Philosophies in the building along with other requirements of Space and Services. The main ones being:
Sustainability is embedded in the definition of Architecture itself. True Architecture should address the requirements of all
the three Faculties, namely Physical, Psychological and Spiritual of Man. Respect for the highly evolved science of the
materials and processes in nature. Reverse the notion of Bamboo being termed as ‘Poor Man’s Building Material’ and
replace steel, concrete and other similar materials.

Site integration
Building orientation and roof form are designed to allow strong North-East and South-West winds to blow over the structure,
without any drafts inside despite it being fully open on the South. The existing slope was transformed into a landscaped
waterfall directing the rainwater into the lotus pond.

Building design
The office has an open plan with four split levels, all overlooking a central pond. The principal architect’s cabin sits at the
bottom level, ensuring visual connectivity across all the spaces. The structure draws inspiration from the traditional fishing
platforms in India, a truly synergetic structure. Slender bamboo columns harmoniously define the spaces but give a feeling
of extreme lightness. The water pond was built with the intention of humidifying the atmosphere which also helps in
maintenance of the bamboo members besides recharging the borewell.

Special Feature
Natural Lighting
1. Fully open south facade with sufficient overhangs. 2. Clerestory windows along the entire north facade. 3. Lighting tubes
made from 6"PVC waste plumbing pipes inserted in the roof slab for areas deeper than 3m for sufficient natural light.

Water efficiency
1. Zero run-off site 2. Special water conserving installation: water conserving fixtures, recycling and treatment .Treated water
used for flushing, washing, gardening etc. 3. Rainwater Harvesting System: A 50,000 liters capacity RW harvesting pond
landscaped with a rich variety of locally available water plants and lilies. The overflow goes to the recharge well of the Bore
well. 4. All water bodies and features were created from collected rain water or Recycled water.

Passive heating/cooling
1. Orientation of the building ensured no strong drafts are created within the building, maintaining optimum airflow. The open
facade on the south opens to a lotus pond which enhances the micro-climate. 2. Passive cooling achieved by utilization of
building mass as thermal storage as part of heat strategy. 3. As the building is below ground level, the interiors are kept cool
even during summers. 4. The office is naturally ventilated throughout the day due to strategically placed windows in NE-SW
direction

Cost effective features

1. Use of locally available materials for construction: Bamboo from local bamboo market, Mud excavated from the site,
Locally available stone for masonry walls 2. Usage of recycled materials namely Fly ash, recycled wood, scrap metal, stone,
debris, plastic bottles, PVC pipes.

Eco-friendly features
1. Use of local materials and waste for construction: Local variety of bamboo, local stone and mud excavated from site. 2.
The collection of rainwater and use of the same for the landscaped water bodies. 3. Addition of bamboo fibers to concrete to
reduce cement consumption and also reduce weight of slab. 4. Orientation of building for enhanced daylight and cross
ventilation. This reduces the need for artificial daylight and fans.

Energy systems
Interior Lighting
15 CFL lights

Exterior Lighting
5 LED lights for bollards in landscape
Ceiling Fans
4 Wall mounted fans with Speed: 1350 RPM Air Delivery: 72 CMM Power: 48 watts

Air-conditioning
No air conditioning used

Lift
No lifts

Energy efficient systems

1 kW supply from Solar panels. (Common supply for Office cum Residence)