INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP TO THE

WONDER GRASS

BAMBOO IN ARCHITECTURE

SEMESTER 4

BY
KANKANA NARAYAN DEV
FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE
MANIPAL UNIVERSITY
27TH JANUARY 2016
INTRODUCTION
 What is Bamboo?

• Bamboo is a grass, not a wood.

• Extensive root system constantly

growing underground replenishes
itself naturally.

• Grows naturally in biologically

diverse forests throughout
southeast Asia, South and Central
America, and the Caribbean
World map showing tropical and temperate regions with bamboo plantations
 Why We Use Bamboo?
• Bamboo stands release 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees.

• Some bamboo even sequester up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the air
per hectare.

• Bamboo can also lower light intensity and protects against ultraviolet rays.
• It is very easy, affordable, and profitable for low income communities to grow
and use bamboo

• the availability of bamboo resources in India is the second largest in the world
ranking only behind China.

• There are over 1600 species of bamboo on the earth. This diversity makes
bamboo adaptable to many environments.

• It scores comparably with mild steel, with some considering a few bamboo
species to be even stronger than steel in terms of comparative stiffness
factor and tensile strength. It definitely scores above other types of timber.
Various uses of Bamboo
Various uses of Bamboo
Various uses of Bamboo

Bamboo Floating Bridge Thailand

Bamboo for Walls
Bamboo for roofs
Bamboo Doors
and Windows
Product Design by NID , Ahmedabad
Growing Anatomy
 Cylindrical Pole with Various
Diameter
• Bamboo has got a round profile. Creating connections with round
profiles are leading to difficult geometric structures at the knot.

• Bamboo fibres only grow in the longitudinal direction.

• Bamboo is hollow.

• The face of the bamboo is very slippery and hard.

• Bamboo is not suitable for loads in cross direction, because there

are no cross fibres.

• Bamboo is a natural material, that varies in diameters, length and

quality according to the climate.
 Wall Thickness
• the material between the cavity and outer
surface of bamboo is called as bamboo wall
 Using Bamboo
Bamboo is useful for different things at
different ages:

<30 days it is good for eating

6-9 months for baskets
2-3 years for bamboo boards or
laminations
3-6 years for construction
>6 years bamboo gradually loses
strength up to 12 years old
 Properties of Locally available species
Source: Forest Research Institute Dehradun

Ochlandra beddomeiGamble Culms erect, 10-12 m high, 3-4 cm in Endemic to Kerala, India.
diameter. (1)

Ochlandra ebracteataRaizada & An erect, shrubby or arborescent, Endemic to Kerala, India.

Chatterji reed-like, gregarious
bamboo. Culms 5 m high, 2-3.5 cm in
diameter.

Ochlandra scriptoria(Dennst.) Fisch. A gregarious shrubby Endemic to Western Ghats i.e.

bamboo. Culmserect, 5 m tall, 2.5 cm Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
in diameter.

Ochlandra setigeraGamble Culms erect or straggling, 6 m tall, 1- Endemic to Western Ghats i.e. Kerala
2 cm thick. and Tamil Nadu.

Ochlandra sivagiriana(Gamble) Small straggling reed-like Endemic to Tamil Nadu, India.

Camus bamboo.Culms 5 m high, 2 cm in
diameter.

Ochlandra talbotiiBrandis Erect, arborescent bamboo. Culms 3- Endemic to Karnataka, India.

6 m tall, 1.2-2 cm in diameter.

Ochlandra travancorica Benth. Erect, shrubby or arborescent Endemic to Kerala and Tamil Nadu,
bamboo. Culms 2-6 m tall, 2.5-5 cm India. Cultivated at Forest Research
in diameter. Institute, Dehra Dun.
 Properties of Locally available species
Source: Forest Research Institute Dehradun

Ochlandra
travancorica var.hirsuta Gamble
Leaves thick, margin more Endemic to Tamil Nadu and Kerala,
cartilaginous. Spikelets thickly India.
clothed with light brown valvety
pubescence, the rest as in O.
travancorica.

Ochlandra wightii(Munro) Fischer An erect shrubby bamboo. Culms 6- Endemic to Tamil Nadu and Kerala,
7 m tall, 1.5-2 cm in diameter. India.

Pseudoxytenanthera A moderate sized bamboo, open Endemic to Kerala, India.

bourdillonii (Gamble) Naithani clump forming. Culms 6-9 m tall, 2
(Oxytenanthera cm in diameter.
bourdillonii Gamble)

Pseudoxytenanthera A straggling or sub-scandent Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala,

monadelpha (Thw.) Soder. & Ellis bamboo.Culms soft, 8 m tall, 1-1.5 India. Sri Lanka.
(Oxytenanthera monadelpha (Thw.) cm in diameter.
Alston)

Pseudoxytenanthera A medium sized bamboo. Culms 3-5 Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu,

ritcheyi (Munro) Naithani m high, 2.5 cm in diameter, nearly Karnataka and Kerala, India.
(Oxytenanthera ritcheyi(Munro) solid, covered with deciduous, soft,
Blatt. & McCann) pale-yellow, vavely tomentose.
Classification of Bamboo Construction
 Traditional or Vernacular Bamboo
Construction
Friction-tight rope connections are the
common connecting method. Traditionally
natural materials are used:
• cocos/sago palm fibre
• bast
• strips of bamboo
• rattan

For tight connections green bamboo strips

are used, the fibresare watered before
tying around the bamboo. While drying, the
fibres shorten and the connection becomes
stronger.

• Lashing ties: The common type of

connection at a joint is lashing. Connection with bamboo strip
Binding wire is an industrial product.
Traditional Mizo House
Image Courtesy : CBTC, Assam
Naga House Kisama, Kohima Nagaland
Bamboo Houses on Stilts at Dima Hasau, Haflong, Assam
Bamboo tile Roofing
Bamboo used for roof truss and Column Support
Engineered Conventional Bamboo
Construction

Image courtesy : Simon Velez

Image Courtesy : Bamboo Living
 Engineered Conventional Bamboo
Construction
• Plugin/Bolt connections: Constructions with
secondary interlocking elements are often
used in context with rope connections.

• interlocking connections:
Constructions elements made of bamboo are
suitable for lots of uses. Bamboo has different
diameters and is thicker near the knots. Within
bolting together or wedging the bamboo, lots
of its tightness won't be transferred by the
construction element.
Plugin/Bolt connections
Image courtesy : IBUKU
Image courtesy : IBUKU
Image courtesy : IBUKU
Bamboo joinery Interiors of a Bamboo restaurant Thailand
Bamboo Pavilion Indonesia
Bamboo House Kerala
Green School, Bali, Indonesia
Thamal Hand crafted Homes Bangalore
CGBMT Bangalore
Bamboo Column using multiple poles Bamboo Large span Structure
A mobile Bamboo Structure
Substitutive Bamboo Constructions
Precast Bamboo Crete Slabs
Fabricated Bamboo Panels
Bamboo Reinforcement
 The Roof Of A Modern Bamboo House
H
G
F
E
D
C
I B
A

o A= Half Split Bamboo Mat

• B= Dung+Plaster Of Paris Of 1:1 Ratio Of 60mm Wide
• C= Thin Polythene Sheet
• D= Air Bubble Polythen sheet
• E= Chicken mesh
• F= Cellular Light Weight Concrete Of 20mm Wide
• G= Cement+Sand Of 1:4 Ratio Of 6mm Wide
• H= 6mm Steel Rods Placed In The slab For Every 2feet
• I = GIS sheet
View of a Bamboo crete House by Haritha , Hyderabad
Laminated bamboo Panel Architecture
Bamboo Dome at Marksplas, Antwerp WBC 2012
Classification of Bamboo Joints
 BASIC CUTS USED IN BAMBOO
CONSTRUCTION

SINGLE EYE CUT DOUBLE EYE CUT BEVELLED CUT FLUTE MOUTH CUT FISHMOUTH CUT

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

BAMBOO JOINT LASHING WITH ROPE

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

 RIDGE

FLUTE
MOUTH CUT

DETAIL : 1

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

DETAIL : 2

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

DETAIL : 3

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

DETAIL : 4

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez
 DOUBLE AND
QUADRAPLE BEAM
SUPPORT

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

FIXING DETAIL OF BAMBOO TO PLINTH
USING BOLT CONNECTION

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

TYPES OF BAMBOO WALL

Source: Book: Bamboo Gift of the God , 2003 Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez

Bamboo joined using metal plate
and clams
Advanced Bamboo Joints
BASIC TOOLS USED IN BAMBOO CONSTRUCTION
STEP BY STEP CONSTRUCTION OF A
352 SQFT HOUSE IN BAMBOO

Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC

Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC
STEP 2: INTEGRATION OF SUPERSTRUCTURE TO THE BEAM
Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC
STEP 2: FIXING OF BAMBOO POLES TO THE PLINTH AT SPECIFIED INTERVALS

Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC

STEP 4: BAMBOO IS FIXED IN SUCHA MANNER THAT LOAD FROM ATTIC IS
TRANSFERRED TO THE COLUMN
Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC
STEP 5: CEILING DONE IN BAMBOO

Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC

STEP 7: PROFILE SHEET ROOFING IS FIXED

Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC

STEP 8: BAMBOO WALL CONSTRUCTION
Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC
COMPLETE HOUSE
Source: REPORT on affordable housing by PIC
Case study : Zeri Pavillion

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli

 Specification
• The pavilion was designed in a way that pushed the limits of material ,technologies and
knowledge gained immediately benefitting the less fortunate in social housing.

• Form: Ten sided polygon inscribed in a circle ( diameter 40m)

• Area site 2150 m2 ; foundations 684m2; mezzanine 458m2 ; roof 1306 m2

Height: Total 14.40m; Mezzanine 4.50m

Weight: Bamboo and natural material 100 ton

Steel and Iron 10 ton
Concrete 75 ton
Total 500 ton

Roof Slope : 17 degree

Columns :80 nos 40 interior and 40 exterior
Column Slope :79 degree
Access to the mezzanine: Two spiral staircases from steel and bamboo
Overhang length : 7m
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Material
Guadua

Family : Gramineae
Species Guadua angustifolia, Kunth
Geographical distribution: Grows in north
of South America. Grows naturally in
Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador
and Peru.

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Conceptual sketches by Simon Velez

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli

 Architectural Drawings of the Zeri Pavilion

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli

 Architectural Drawings of the Zeri Pavilion

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli

 Overhang Detail

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli

 Making of Fish Mouth Joinery in Zeri Pavilion
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Bamboo Column Connection to Plinth Detail

Courtesy : Gunter Pauli

 Working Joint Details
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Working Joint Details
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Working Joint Details
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Working Joint Details
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Working Joint Details
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Working Joint Details
Courtesy : Gunter Pauli
 Hands ON!!!
• Task 1: Make the Basic Cuts of Bamboo
using scale size tender Bamboo with
Drawings

• Task 2: Draw neatly any one connection

using the basic cuts for a simple truss
along with a scale model of the joint using
tender Bamboo