Bamboo Use in Sustainable Architecture
Bamboo is an ancient Asian plant that has been used in construction since antiquity. This plant is unique in that it grows extremely quickly. It can grow up to a meter in a single day. Bamboo resembles sugar cane in appearance, but it is much thicker and more rigid, allowing it to be used in construction.
Several studies have been conducted in recent years to determine the exact construction properties of this material. Entire bamboo houses have been built that have proven to be functional.
Why should bamboo be used in sustainable architecture projects?
There are 1,400 species of bamboo in the world, classified into 90 genera. Bamboo has been a staple for builders in sustainable design projects due to its high quality and durability, both as a material and as a support.
The guadua Angustifolia Kunth (Colombian timber bamboo), native to Ecuador, is one of the most commonly used classes because it is regarded as one of the best bamboos due to its long-lasting properties.
“Bamboo is a renewable material,” says Rómula Rodrguez, professor of architecture at the University of Guayaquil. “When one is cut, six to eight new plants grow.” As a result, including bamboo in sustainable architecture projects benefits all builders financially.”
Bamboo: an outstanding green building material.
Bamboo is a renewable resource that requires little energy to grow, prevents soil erosion, provides biomass, provides a habitat for wildlife, and produces a healthy food supply for both wildlife and humans. It is twice the strength of concrete and only slightly stronger than steel.
Bamboo produces more oxygen and absorbs more CO2 than other plants, which helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. The first harvest is possible in three to five years, which is much faster than the 25-year average for wood forests.
When harvested properly, 10% of each plant can be harvested annually without the need for new plants or negatively impacting the original forest.
Bamboo can grow in a variety of environments. It can grow in arid regions where other crops fail due to droughts, and because the roots are left in place after harvesting, it helps to retain vital moisture in the soil. Bamboo thrives in a variety of climates, from low wetlands to higher elevations in the mountains.
Can bamboo save the world? The answer to that question is still unknown. However, this impressive plant and its growing popularity in a wide range of products offer mankind the opportunity to enjoy many modern conveniences without causing irreversible damage to our environment.
Bamboo canes are effective against earthquakes when used as a wall because the horizontal forces of these natural phenomena are directly proportional to the mass or weight of the construction and height, implying that the greater the weight and height, the greater the acceleration as well as additional harm, and in the event of a collapse, the material is quite light, making reconstruction easier.
In places with favorable topographic conditions for the use of bamboo, it is anticipated that typical building materials will start to be phased out in favor of more durable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective constructions.