There are few sustainable materials that lend themselves to artistic architecture quite like bamboo, a highly renewable and abundant grass that is also strong and affordable. It grows like a weed in many southeast Asian countries – but what can be done with it – no weed could ever compare! Take a look at these incredibly intricate bamboo interiors, from tea houses in China to a church in Indonesia.
Bamboo Team Room in China
Over 500 pieces of bamboo, each over 6 inches in diameter were used in staggered heights to create the ellipsoid illusion for this Chinese tea room. Some of the poles were even fitted with spotlights to keep the focus on the effect of the bamboo shapes.
Son La Restaurant in Vietnam
This work is one of several throughout Vietnam. The roof is made of a local variety of bamboo that can grow up to 26 feet tall. Architecture firm Vo Trong Nghia hopes to continue to expand, sharing their inspirations throughout Vietnam.
Tang Palace Restaurant, Hangzhou (China)
The blend of poles and composite boards all made from bamboo create an intriguing canopy in this fine restaurant. Designer Atelier Feichang Jianzhu used the existing space to create cozy and private dining area without feeling too secluded.
The Bamboo Courtyard Tea House, China
This style blends traditional Chinese culture and architecture with contemporary styles, yielding an elegant and streamlined appearance. This floating tea house features inward-facing bamboo pavilions offset by brick structures.
Cathedral in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
This stunning masterpiece was constructed by the community after an earthquake rocked the area. Using local materials and construction methods, hundreds of bamboo reeds holdup the ceiling. This is an amazing example of providing a service to a community in need.
Orphanage in Burma (Myanmar)
These six units offer a small but comfortable orphanage on the border between Thailand and Burma. On-going conflicts between peoples in the region leave many homeless. The woven bamboo offers ventilation, something very much needed in the hotter months.
Bamboo Factory Ceiling, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city)
The office of a garment factory gets a wonderful makeover using bamboo to cloak unsightly equipment and fixtures. The design was inspired by the textiles produced in the nearby factory.
wNw Café, near Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city)
This wNw café, located just north of Vietnam’s capital city, offers a beautiful environment to just get lost in over a meal. Most of the straight lines are broken throughout the design – adding a sense of movement and delight to the atmosphere.
El Guadual School, Columbia
Bamboo is the centerpiece of this environmentally-conscious school in Columbia. The complex provides food, education and health services to those in need – primarily children, pregnant women and their newborns. The bamboo poles line the internal ceiling and provide structural support. They also offer shade and privacy when used as window screens.
Incredible, right? Yes, these truly are amazing shots of the possible!
[Please keep in mind that these interior styles are magazine-style works of art. As a note, churches, schools, hospitals, orphanages and leper villages in southeast Asia do not look anything close to this. I spent 5 months doing volunteer work in most of the countries listed here and had the privilege of meeting artisans who did absolute wonders with bamboo for survival – I know their eyes would water if they saw these photos.]
