What We’re Building Next Month

This station will focus on translating parametric design into construction by building a small-scale Bamboo Yurt from start to finish. Students will get hands-on experience setting foundations, putting in flooring, and building a hyperbolic structure while learning essential carpentry techniques including traditional joinery, rafter making, and hand carving.

Whilst the bamboo yurt station focuses on building with bamboo, this station will guide you through the key techniques and complementary materials needed for finishing a bamboo structure. We will go over bamboo maintenance and protection, building walls inspired in the “bahareque” technique using a clay-based mixture applied to a woven bamboo frame, as well as installing natural “alang-alang” thatched roofing.

Engineering is vital for the resiliency of bamboo structures. This station will guide you through bamboo testing and grading procedures, analyzing bamboo’s structural properties, as well as making informed decisions to ensure the load-bearing and structural soundness of a building.

You will also have the chance to design and build your own small-scale bamboo product or furniture piece. Working closely with our carpenters and facilitators, you will learn how to select the right bamboo species for your project, confidently handle tools, explore different joinery methods, as well as practice good craftsmanship and attention to detail.