Look! No triangles in this sturdy bamboo construction!

The use of triangles is one of the fundamental principles of bamboo construction. This stable and rigid shape is commonly used in most bamboo constructions for stability and rigidity. By utilizing the strong and sturdy properties of bamboo, builders are able to create buildings and other structures that are both reliable and beautiful.

We decided to challenge the notion of using triangulation for structural stability in every project. By exploring new designs and connections, we were able to create a more stable structure that didn’t rely on triangulation. This allowed us to create a more efficient and effective design that saved time and money.

This bamboo construction project was to build a bamboo pergola as an outdoor semi-open space. The pergola would be used to support creepers and vines, providing shade during the summer months. The structure was to be made entirely of bamboo, using traditional joinery techniques. This structure was built during a Bamboo Construction Workshop we conducted in Sydney.

The use of triangles is one of the fundamental principles for bamboo construction which is commonly used in most bamboo structures for stability and rigidity.
Each corbelled bamboo beam member is bolted to the column which helps achieve a rigid frame

The design of the structure is inspired by the surrounding landscape and the existing house which is very Japanese in character. The structure has a square plan with four columns on its four corners. Each column is made of four bamboo poles and the beams are made of corbelled bamboo members which reduce in its length consecutively. Each corbelled bamboo beam member is bolted to the column which helps achieve a rigid frame.

The pergolas on the top add to the overall rigidity and provide support for the vines.
The pergolas on the top add to the overall rigidity and provide support for the vines.

We had used this design principle earlier in the very first bamboo structure we designed and built in India. In that design, the corbels were 2 dimensional and hence we did not get sufficient lateral stability. In the current design, the corbels are cross-connected i.e. 3-dimensional and hence the structure is very stable. The pergolas on the top add to the overall rigidity and provide support for the vines.

The pergola is ready for use! Summer shade will be provided grape vines or a similar deciduous plant.
The pergola is ready for use! Summer shade will be provided by grape vines or a similar deciduous plant.

For the participants, it was a good exercise in understanding the subtle variations in bamboo sizes though they belong to the same species, as bamboo is a non-industrialized natural material. The participants learnt about various bamboo species, treatments and construction principles. They also learnt that a little bit of flexibility and innovation is required in the design and when building with bamboo as is the case with most natural materials.

It's very satisfying to be able to finish a workshop project within a weekend as the tired but happy faces show :)

It’s very satisfying to be able to finish a bamboo construction workshop project within a weekend as the tired but happy faces show đŸ™‚

Overall it was a challenging exercise that resulted in a very satisfactory outcome. I am sure that we will be using this design principle again in other structures to come as the possibilities with bamboo construction design are endless.

About Munir Vahanvati:

Munir Vahanvati

Munir is an architect and urban designer with more than 12 years of industry experience. He has been involved in working with bamboo for the last 10 years. He is passionate about designing and using the natural form of bamboo to create rhythmic structures that create a play of light and shade. In Nov 2013 Munir took on the role of Vice-President at the Bamboo Society of Australia.

About Giant Grass:

Giant Grass is a social enterprise focused on sustainability and hands-on learning through bamboo. In addition to designing and building structures out of bamboo, we regularly conduct Bamboo Construction Workshops in Melbourne and across Australia. For more information on our projects and workshops please visit us at www.giantgrassdesign.com

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