Historically bamboo has been used as a building material in the domestic sphere, as well as other low-scale structures such as scaffoldings. The material is not just flexible, lightweight and strong—it has a strength that can rival steel—but it is also environmentally sustainable.
By the numbers, bamboo performs amazingly. Some species of bamboo can grow by as much as one meter in one day—one variety is the world’s fastest-growing plant—and it releases about 35 percent more oxygen into the atmosphere than trees. The only maintenance required for structures crafted out of the material are regular treatments with insecticide and fire retardant.
Recently, entrepreneurs and local craftsmen in Bali have joined forces to utilize the flexibility and durability of bamboo to create out-of-the-box structures that are as unique as they are eco-friendly. Coconuts Bali takes a closer look at three of the more interesting bamboo projects on the island.
Green Village
Nestled on two hectares of verdant jungle around 25 minutes from Ubud, Green Village is a community (developed as an extension of the legendary Green School’s community), containing ten luxury bamboo homes. The villas, which have been masterminded by Ibuku, a Bali-based team of designers and builders, are over 90 percent bamboo, with most structural elements and furniture made of the material. Copper, stone and brass have also been used in the constructions either out of necessity or to compliment the villas’ sophisticated aesthetic.
The lofty structures—each one unique—have been designed to blend into their lush surroundings, and are characterized by a variety of features specifically tailored to tropical living. The open plan living areas make the most of natural light and breeze, while the air-conditioned rooms, which have woven bamboo walls, replicate the comforts of a standard room.
A great deal of creativity has gone into designing each villa. For instance, Sharma Springs—which has been featured on the front cover of the New York magazine—is a six-story masterpiece, made out of black and white bamboo, accessible through an enormous bamboo tubular entrance. Some of the other characteristic design elements of the Green Village include circular moon doors and pod TV rooms.
Those interested in visiting the Green Village can join a half-day tour of the community, the Green School and a bamboo factory.
Finns Beach Club
Located on Berawa Beach in Canggu, Finns is worth a visit for its unique design alone. Like many other bamboo structures on the island, Finns features minimal external walls and alang-alang roof domes, which protect guests from the elements without obstructing the coast’s refreshing sea breezes. Besides bamboo, the construction also incorporates a variety of natural materials such as stone, wood and sand.
From the semi-open dining area to the pool deck with single and double day beds, the structure sits on a slight slope, making the most of its beachside location and ocean views. In fact, according to the Finns website, the venue has been specifically designed to guarantee every guest a view of the ocean and the island’s stunning sunsets.
Big Tree Farms Chocolate Factory
Billing itself as the largest commercial bamboo structure in the world, the Big Tree Farms chocolate factory is an impressive feat of engineering. Making the most of the abundant material, the building’s contemporary aesthetic stands world apart from the average industrial factory. Rather than imposing its concrete presence on the environment, the eco-friendly facility stands in sync with the surrounding landscape.
Nicknamed “bamboo cathedral,” due to its pitched bamboo frame roof, the three-story, 26,500-square-foot facility, houses a chocolate production facility, as well as a retail space, offices and a warehouse. While most of the factory’s façade and are crafted out of woven bamboo strips, and treated with a food-grade sealant, the roof has been thatched with alang-alang grass and the floors made from coconut wood.
Big Tree Farms offers tours of the plant, which focus on the chocolate making process, at 2 pm from Monday to Friday. Private tours can also be arranged.
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