Bending Bamboo To Build Unique Window Frames: A DIY Project

The design of this window frame is inspired by the shape of a raindrop, chosen for both its aesthetic appeal and practicality. The compact design ensures ease of transportation, while the distinctive shape captures attention, demonstrating the unique potential of bamboo.

Opting to use a single type of bamboo allowed me to refine my carpentry techniques and explore the material's limits. This approach not only honed my skills but also pushed the envelope in terms of what bamboo can achieve. By maintaining simplicity and innovation in the design, my goal was to highlight bamboo's versatility and elegance in a functional yet visually striking manner, appealing to both carpenters and architects.

As a carpenter, I knew from the start that I wanted to create something simple yet unique. The idea of raindrop-shaped window frames has been on my mind ever since visiting IBUKU. Seeing their raindrop door inspired me to pursue a similar look for my first bamboo project.

Interacting with local artisans and exchanging ideas has been a valuable experience for me. Despite the tight time frame pushing me to finish the project ambitiously, I've had a lot of fun working on this small-scale project.

To simplify things, I mainly worked with 2mm skinless bamboo splits. I measured and shaped them carefully to get the right size and shape. While it might seem like all I did was bend and glue the bamboo, it actually required a lot of patience because bamboo needs gentle handling.

From beginning to end, this journey has been meaningful for me. I appreciate the support and guidance from the carpenters and the Bamboo U team throughout my project.

In this project, my biggest challenge was ensuring that I could shape the bamboo with patience. As a carpenter, I'm used to working with tools and doing manual tasks, so that part of the process was straightforward for me. 

However, using bamboo was a whole new experience. It's a material I hadn't worked with before, so I had to learn its properties and how far I could push it to get the shapes I wanted.

Despite the design challenges, rather than challenges I actually learned more to be patient throughout the process. Sanding, bending, and gluing took a lot of time, as each step required careful attention. However, even with the wait, the experience was still exciting. Besides, I enjoyed helping others with my knowledge in between tasks, which made the process even more fulfilling for me.

Bamboo has always intrigued me, so having the chance to explore and learn about it is something I truly appreciate. As a carpenter, understanding materials and being flexible with the process is part of my job.

I appreciate the patient team who answered all my questions, as well as the skilled carpenters who are masters in their fields.

Joining this 11-day course and learning hands-on about bamboo has been a surreal experience for me. Interacting and getting to know everyone has been fun too.