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Bamboo
Research
Centre
Vision Of Project
The proposed bamboo research center is designed with
the vision of providing cutting edge innovations
that will shape the future of sustainable and
renewable design. The design revolves around the
meticulous use of bamboo in conjunction with
different materials on different fundamental spaces
corresponding to the functional part of the design.
Project Site
The project site chosen was at Bansbari near
Gangalal Hospital. Tall, giant grass over the steep
hill on the site gave a pleasant and a very natural
background for my project.
Project Components
The functional parameters of the project was
finalized on the basis of studies of buildings of
similar nature like those of the Agriculture
Research Center at Khumaltar, Lumle, and the
Department of Forestry building. This was further
supplemented by studies of bamboo house production
in Vietnam as well as by interaction with bamboo
specialists. The various parameters included:
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A
large space for bamboo plantation.
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A
research lab having:
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Soil
unit, for researching the influence of various
types of soil on bamboo cultivation.
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Entomology and plant pathology unit to study
insect related diseases of bamboo.
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Bio
technology unit for the detailed study of bamboo
production.
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Seed
unit for researching better production of bamboo
seed.
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A
training block to generate skilled manpower in
the field of bamboo technology.
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A
workshop for the production of bamboo based
materials using new technology.
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A
bamboo house for loading and unloading, washing
and drying, cleaning and straightening as well
as for providing treatment and storing areas.
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An
engineering block for engineers and architects
to research and develop new technology.
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An
administration unit.
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A
cafeteria.
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Staff housing.
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An
exhibition area to display new bamboo technology
and materials.
Architectural Components
Architectural expressions in the project strive for
tranquility and calmness and emphasis has been on
the artful use of bamboo to form usable ideal spaces
integrated with the landscape and water bodies so
that there is a blurring of the distinction between
the exterior and the interior.
The recreational cafeteria, surrounded by water,
lies at the centre of the master plan. Access is
provided by a bridge made of bamboo. Water is a
“phenomenal lens” with the power of reflection,
spatial reversal and refraction as well as the
ability to transform light rays.
Bamboo canopies in conjunction with metal, along
with the power of water refraction, endows the
structure with a fantastic pattern in which can be
observed the dance of light and shadow on the
ceiling and walls. This environment created is thus,
thoroughly refreshing.
The tensile characteristics of bamboo is taken to
its limit, providing interlocking curved structures
composed of cylindrical trusses of bamboos poles.
A structured system of treated bamboo poles in
combination with a concrete foundation supports the
bamboo floor and roof, providing an interesting
floating space over a small pond at the frontage of
the engineering block that can serve as a unique
reading space.
The twisted interlocked bamboo poles, repeatedly
forming a tall tower of bamboo in front of the
research building and demonstrating bamboo’s high
stability standards, forms an aesthetic space for
the staircase.
Another raw material used in my design is light
itself. The spirit and strength of architecture is
driven by the quality of light and shadows shaped by
solids and voids, by opacities, transparencies, and
translucencies. The clever play of light and shadows
has profound effect on what the eye sees and the
viewer feels. This music of light and shadow is
produced on the research block with the creative use
of bamboo louvers and, in the training block, where
students learn about bamboo technology and its uses,
with the wonderful ambience of light and shadow
percolating through the bamboo walls.
Bamboo plastic board sandwiches between the bamboo
trusses fixed on concrete masses on the top along
with the overhanging lower verandahs exemplifies the
strength of bamboo.
Bamboo flow
The fresh cut bamboo poles are stored on the two
upper platforms after being cleaned properly. These
clean poles slide down to the lower platform through
a ramp. Before storage, the poles are cleaned
properly in the water pond and dried for at least
three months on the open platform. These dried poles
are then sanded, straightened and treated (vacuum
presser treatment, smoke treatment, chemical
treatment etc.).
The treated bamboo poles are then transported to the
workshop. The bamboo canopies over the workshop
illustrate the high tensile and compression
qualities of bamboo thus providing for a good choice
for constructing complex roof structures.
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