Technically a grass, bamboo has been used in decorations and many other assortments, but has only recently been used on a large scale for very different uses. Perhaps thanks to the sustainable movement, the material has become increasingly popular.
The benefits of bamboo are many fold. This material is a very fast growing, renewable and easy-to-grow resource. It is an extremely versatile material with countless uses including construction, clothes, food and fuel. Moreover, bamboo has anti-bacterial properties and is water resistant that makes it a great building material.
There are over 1000 species of bamboo. This amazing plant grows in tropical and temperate environments and is very hardy, not needing pesticides or herbicides to grow well. It is a type of grass and grows from its roots, when it is cut it quickly grows back with most species maturing in 3-5 years.
Some facts about the sustainability of bamboo are:
- It is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilisers
- It grows rapidly and can be harvested in 3-5 years
- It produces 35% more oxygen that an equivalent stand of trees
- It is a critical element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
- It is an excellent soil erosion inhibitor
- It grows in a wide range of environments
- It’s production into fibres has lower environmental impact than other forms of fibre, especially synthetic ones.
Two are the projects which were inspired by the great sustainability features of bamboo and that will be presented in Japan during The Youth Design Day 2018 edition.
Both the two projects were selected because of their purpose, which has always been dear to Japan and its culture: using sustainable material to create something useful to people and to planet.
One of these projects is by two young Czech Design students:
Daniel Skoták and Patrik Rešl
Daniel is 21 years old, while Patrik is 26. These two guys project uses bamboo as the main material of an object which takes up a very important space in our daily lives.
Here what they told us while talking about their project:
Bamboo was chosen as the material because it is fast-growing, which lessens the negative impact on its environment. It is also carbon-neutral, because it absorbs carbon dioxide while it grows. We want to support and join the ever-growing movement of sustainable design, as this is an element of products that consumers are increasingly looking for.
The other project is by a group of Irish and English designers:
Jack Lehane, Jason Ladrigan, Seán Conlan-Smith and Alastair Brook
They are 24, 24, 26 and 26 and the founders of the DSGN movement, which is a new project pioneered by an international network of student designers. Alongside their sister organisation, MEDS Meeting of Design Students, they have brought creative students from across 45+ international countries together, labouring with love on architecture, design, art, film, photography, and media projects at their annual workshops.
The design which won the competition and which DSGN are implementing and constructing in Bali is by two Polish Architecture Students:
Ewelina Andrecka and Hanna Haczek
This is what they said about their projects:
The […] is designed in such a way that it gives the impression of a perfect balance with the surrounding nature. It is divided into three sections by mobile walls- frames filled with bamboo, a sustainable material. […] Simplicity is key here and usage of local building materials and plain environmental solutions play a significant role in achieving harmony with the environment.
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