Bamboo Category Posts
Thatchted Roof
courtesy: Egr. Pratik Lohani
Here is an example of a thatched roof from Japan. Thatched roof tradition is a somewhat in danger of getting lost because it requires very intricate skills to install. However, properly put thatched roof can last for more then 30 years. The advantages of thatched roof include very good insulation, available local resources, natural beauty and cost effectiveness. The disadvantages include high skills. If not properly installed it can invite mice and bird problems and require high maintenance.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Bamboo Temporary Shelter
Here is an example of a temporary shelter built by Abari in Janakpur Nepal. It is built as a storage place for all the bamboo that we have treated for the construction. It was designed in order to resist dampness and provide enough air circulation to store and dry the bamboo.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Bamboo in Laos
A rice field in Harsar, Laos. The elevated bamboo houses are very common in this part of the world. The advantages of elevated houses are protection against flood, snakes, rats. The space in the bottom are also used for storage space.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Bamboo Treatment
Here is a picture of our low cost, high efficient bamboo treatment plant. Our focus has been, apart from using bamboo as a modern building material, to teach local people, especially women and marginalized people, about our technology so that they can use it themselves. Our patent pending, revolutionary small treatment plant has successfully treated more then 1200 bamboo in a month.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Gypsies in Kathmandu
With an incredible resilience Gypsies have travelled all over the world. In Nepal they are known as firantes. They have exquisite stone carving skills. They also work as magicians among other things. They are very versatile and adaptive nomads, no wonder you see from Greece to Kathmandu. Here is an example of a gypsie tent. Vault shaped and indeed made of bamboo.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
A glimpse into the homelessness
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Smoked Bamboo Treatment
These traditional bamboo beams have overcome the test of time. They have been there for ever. In the traditional houses, people still use wood or dried cow dung for cooking. These traditional stoves produce lots of smoke, which then accumulate on the bamboo beams. These unintended accumulation of smoke on the beams act as a protection against termite and give them a beautiful texture as well.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Bamboo Connection
Bamboo is a pretty versatile and a dynamic material, which works pretty well with most of the modern and traditional materials; whether it is mud, cement, steel or even plastic. Here is an example of a homeless shelter situated on the Bagmati riverbank in the eastern kathmandu.Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Bamboo Connection
Here is a simple yet elegant bamboo connection as seen in Sukumbasi area. Bamboo strips are weaved together; the tension within hold them together. There is no need of nails or screws.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!
Soaking
We have tried three different methods of treatment. The first one shown above is the traditional treatment method where bamboo are soaked for 4-12 weeks on a running or muddy stagnant water. Bamboo contains starch solution which is suceptible to bacteria, but since starch is soluble in water, it gets diluted or washed out with this method. Many argue this process does not totally work because the vascular bundles (through which starch travel) is axial the outer layer of bamboo has a thick impegranable silica layer, thus water can not get to the inner cells of bamboo. Nevertheless, this is the one of the most prominent traditional methods of treatment.
Stay informed by subscribing to our RSS Feed!