Pushing the Structural Boundaries with Bamboo

The Luum Temple in Tulum, Mexico is a pioneering example of what happens when traditional wisdom meets modern engineering. It is designed to stand against hurricane winds and significant seismic forces. The structural system has five intersecting hyperbolic paraboloids made of bamboo arches and split bamboo beams. Due to bamboo’s lightweight nature, particular attention must … Read more

Ancient Underground Cities in Turkey

Turkey has long been known for its labyrinth of underground cities, and archaeologists now believe that they may have discovered the largest one yet. Sarayini was once used as a shelter by local Christians who were persecuted by the Roman empire and local Muslim leaders and needed to protect themselves from raids. The 215,000-square-foot ancient … Read more

Sculptor Builds Permanent Nubian Vaulted Structure

“Lookout,” located on a hilltop in a wooded corner of the Storm King Art Center, is sculptor Martin Puryearthe’s latest work. “Lookout,” which has 90 openings of varying dimensions, is his first piece in brick. He claims that this is his most complicated sculpture to date. It uses a technique known as Nubian vaulting, developed … Read more

Four Sisters Create Hobbiton Village in Bosnia

Earth-sheltered homes—mostly buried in dirt—have been around for centuries. Now four sisters are creating a hobbit-style village in southeast Europe. They hope their snug community will appeal to experience seekers, Bosnian culture enthusiasts, and The Lord of the Rings fans. Earth-sheltered homes take the form of dugouts, earth lodges, and sod houses around the globe. … Read more

A Guide to Starting Your Own Bamboo Building Project

From initial idea to completion, this article will provide you with valuable insights to begin your bamboo building project, from the perspective of Bamboo U. To begin any successful building project, clearly defining your project goals and objectives is crucial. Determine the purpose of your bamboo building, whether it’s a home, a community hub, or … Read more

Rainy Hill Retreat in Melbourne

‘Rainy Hill Retreat’ is a four-bedroom mud brick bungalow surrounded by bird life and landscaped gardens near Melbourne, Australia. Natural light pours into the open living, kitchen and dining areas thanks to the 7m-high ceilings and glass foyer entry. Whitewashed mud bricks and timber posts are consistent finishes throughout the home as well as the … Read more