Bamboo Structure Project

BAMBOO STRUCTURE PROJECT

Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

CLIENT
Manouchehr Mirdamad

MATERIALS
Gas pip, Bamboo, Rice stream

COLLABORATORS
Kaveh Akef, Milad Haghnejad

CONSTRUCTION
Javad Abbasi

PHOTOGRAPHS
Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

TOTAL COST
€850

AREA
40.0 m2

YEAR
2009

LOCATION
Ramsar, Iran

CATEGORY
Houses

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

Text description provided by architect.

This project is dedicated to a student of mine who didn’t know how to create a dome!

The student in question was tasked with producing a model of the Sultaniya dome. He set about cutting 3mm strips of foam and bending each strip into a semi-circle, rotating and joining them by their tips.

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

It was not until he had installed nearly one third of the semi-circles that he realized the strips were far too thick to create a dome.

He wanted to completely change his method of construction, but to me he was creating a wonderful method of sheltering far more interesting than a conventional dome, so beautiful and very simple. I asked him to complete the model with the same method and, as I had anticipated, the result was quite amazing.

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

Two years later when I was approached by Mr. Mirdamad, who was looking for a novel model of construction for the development of a resort town near the forests of Katalom in northern Iran, the method returned to me.

I decided to use bamboo as there is plenty of it the region making it cheap and easy to gather sufficient materials. We used seventy bamboos in our realized model, with two bamboos completing a curve from one side to the other side of the project.

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

The bamboo was cut two days prior to use. This ensured it was still soft and flexible during construction and would subsequently become rigid once built.

It is however possible to keep the bamboo alive after construction and thus ensure the structure remains green and supple.

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

We acquired gas pipes from the local market to make a base for the bamboo, but did not fix the base to the ground.

In so doing we provided for the possibility of moving the structure by simply taking out the bamboos from the pips and installing them again in another location.

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

This distinctive structure provides highly cost effective shelter and emergency housing. The total cost for a structure covering approximately 40m² was €700, while the unique shape provides reasonable resistance against horizontal forces such as strong winds or earthquakes.

Furthermore it can be built by non-professionals and can be constructed by three people in merely two days.

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

In completing the membrane we collected bunches of cropped rice streams from one of the many post-harvest rice fields in the area. Each bunch was wrapped together at the top and the structure was covered by overlapping these bunches around it.

A major benefit of using rice streams for this purpose is that when they become wet in rainy weather, they expand to the extent that they do not allow rain to pass through the membrane.

Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa

On the other hand in sunny and warm weather they become dry and allow wind to pass through lots of small holes, providing natural cool ventilation. However, in every part of the world local material can be utilized thereby changing the appearance of the structure to reflect its setting while ensuring costs are kept low.


Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Bamboo Structure Project
© Pouya Khazaeli Parsa


Bamboo Structure Project
model
Bamboo Structure Project
elevation


Bamboo Structure Project
plan
Bamboo Structure Project
plan


Bamboo Structure Project
sketch
Bamboo Structure Project
axo