Bamboo Play

In response to the urgent environmental crisis, our team at the BioDesign lab launched a project focused on developing sustainable construction methods utilizing bamboo, a bio-sustainable material known for its eco-friendly properties. Our approach prioritized minimal bamboo modification, ensuring wise use of resources by restricting modifications to the essential joints required for structural integrity. By only terminating bamboo at its nodes, we leveraged the inherent properties of the material to inform the design, employing the node-to-node dimensions to craft a unique and complex spatial structure, as the structure’s final shape was driven from the existing bamboo poles in our inventory.

The resulting installation, a freeform configuration, comprises 346 distinct elements, each intricately different. All of the elements were precisely made using CNC technology. The complexities of this unconventional structure presented a design challenge that we addressed using an in-house developed digital design tool.

This project embodies our commitment to bio-sustainable practices while showcasing the innovative intersection of material science and digital design in the pursuit of environmentally conscious spatial solutions. This installation is the final result of the course entitled “Integrated Computational Design and Fabrication” at the School of Architecture.

DESIGN

The design process began with students in the Integrated Computational Design and Fabrication (ICDF) course developing multiple spatial structure proposals using parametric modeling and material-based constraints. Each team explored different formal strategies while responding to the geometric logic and physical properties of bamboo. The final design was selected through a class-wide review and voting process, fostering a collaborative and critical design environment. The chosen scheme was then refined collectively, balancing aesthetics, structural performance, and fabrication feasibility to arrive at the final freeform configuration.

FABRICATION

Once the final design was approved, each of the 346 unique bamboo components was digitally modeled and prepared for fabrication. Custom CNC-milled joints were developed to connect the bamboo poles with precision while preserving their natural geometry. To minimize material waste and preserve structural integrity, cuts were made only at the nodes. Each element was carefully labeled and organized to streamline the later stages of construction.

ASSEMBLY

The assembly process took place over several days and was carried out collaboratively by students. Guided by detailed digital models and component tags, the team systematically connected the elements into a cohesive freeform structure. The tolerances built into the digital design ensured accurate alignment, while the physical process emphasized hands-on learning, teamwork, and adaptability. The final installation stands as a testament to the power of coordinated design and making in architectural education.