Biennale d’Architettura

Ephemeral Urbanism: Cities in Constant Flux

Layout and installation of bamboo structure for the project Ephemeral Urbanism: Cities in Constant Flux by Rahul Mehrotra and Felipe Vera within the REPORTING FROM THE FRONT Edition at the Biennale d’Architettura 2016 in Venice.

The structure is formed from an orthogonal framework that envelops the entire installation with BMØ6 Moso bamboo canes tied together to recreate the type of constructions used in the Kumbh Mela Festival.

We also designed and assembled the furniture for the pavilion: two benches made of TamVong BTVØ3 cane and twelve bamboo-covered plinths, always maintaining the premise of rope and cane joints as a fundamental element.

Three people were involved in constructing the structure, using the following materials:

1,150 linear metres of Moso Bamboo BMØ6

830 ml Bamboo TamVong BTVØ3

̴ 3,100 ml of hemp rope

̴ 280 m² of fabrics

0 screws 

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Colombia House

Design and construction of a Guadua bamboo structure for housing in Anolaima – Cundinamarca – Colombia.

Bamboo construction made with 10 and 12 cm Guadua canes to form the roof structure from a truss formed by joining two composite (double) beams with lengths of 9 and 12 m.

These porticos provide the long spans needed to create spacious areas in the central part of the house and a large window measuring almost 12 metres in length in the central section. The construction includes diagonal reinforcements at the joints and sloping vertical posts in the centre and at the ends, finishing with large 1.5-metre eaves to cover the wide exterior corridors of the house. The columns are set within the exterior walls or on stone footings taken from the site itself, so that they are perfectly finished and protected from ground moisture. ​

The property is laid out on a single floor, with the exception of a large terrace with external access on the north side. It has an interior area of approximately 140m², which, together with the external corridor and porch, totals approximately 250m² of covered space.

The floor plan is divided into a covered "social" area opposite the entrance, a spacious living-dining room with an open kitchen integrated into the porch, the master bedroom divided into two rooms: a dressing room-study and a bedroom with a private bathroom, a second bedroom, bathroom, study, storage area, and a room for cleaning and laundry under the terrace.

The study of the natural environment, the sun's path and the shadows throughout the day have been fundamental elements in defining the orientation and layout. The asymmetrical waters of the roof, with an east/west orientation, intersect in the central part, leaving the structure visible from the inside and forming the large upper window that naturally illuminates the living room and bathroom in the morning, generating shade during the hot midday hours. ​

Garage with tiled roof

Bamboo construction prepared for heavy roofs (in this case, curved tiles) made exclusively with Guadua canes measuring 10, 12 and 14 cm and maximum lengths of 6 m. This allows us to cover an area of approximately 30 m² with only 4 supports and a separation between columns of more than 5 metres, enabling the garage to comfortably accommodate the two vehicles belonging to the house without any central obstacles.

The columns are composed of four poles that work together to distribute the load and rest on stone footings, which isolate them from possible sources of moisture. On top of these columns, we mount a ring with double guadua beams, which support the roof purlins on the sides and hold the central composite beam at the back and front.

The main truss consists of three vertical posts combined with Λ-shaped diagonals, topped with a front eave of the same composition. The morphology of this latticework, with the diagonal rods subjected to compression, the vertical sections working under tension, and all the nodes reinforced by crossings with other rods, allows it to support the weight and span the intended distance in a completely stable manner without deformation, despite the great flexibility of bamboo. ​

The interior finish of the roof and the back panel are made with Guadua matting; the project includes the prior installation of stone flooring using large pieces, the installation of lighting throughout the complex, and the decoration of the outdoor garden.

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Oh my Jungle!

Festival de les Arts 2017

Oh my Jungle! is an ephemeral bamboo architecture project by Javier Bono, Antonio Orero and Teresa Martínez, with technical collaboration from Bambusa Estudio. It was created for the chill-out area of the 2017 Festival de les Arts, accompanying the electronic caravan. la desmontable de theBasement.

For the installation of this parametric structure, a 1:1 scale model was assembled until a construction solution was found that allowed for quick assembly, strength, and stability.

The system is configured in a framework of Tam Vong BTVØ30 bamboo cane paraboloids and white ribbons, which provide pleasant shade that is appreciated by Festival attendees.

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