Bamboo Domes in Vietnam

Bamboo Domes in Vietnam by Vo Trong Nghia Architects
Bamboo Domes in Vietnam by Vo Trong Nghia Architects

“Vo Trong Nghia Architects recently released new photos of eight bamboo domes rising on an islet on Saigon River in Vietnam. The completed structures comprise part of a multifunctional community center for the Diamond Island project, a series of large and small spaces for local residents to use as venues for various events and activities.

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Bamboo Joint Lashing Techniques

Very good overview of bamboo joinery. Most books are skimpy on bamboo joinery. The whole house doesn’t haven’t to be built out of bamboo. You could build the roof, interior walls and/or just use bamboo for decorative purposes such as wall panels or drop grid ceilings.

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Low Cost Bamboo Truss System

This $200 12’x18’ bamboo roof by Joao Boto Caeiro is one of the strongest, best bamboo roofs in the world.
This $200 12’x18’ bamboo roof by Joao Boto Caeiro is one of the strongest, best bamboo roofs in the world.

Most of our readers know the world’s forests are being rapidly depleted. Sustainable alternatives are desperately needed. Low cost bamboo is a promising alternative building material because it’s rapidly renewable and widely available. Bamboo is especially well suited for Nepal that is in dire need of scalable solutions that can help rebuild the country. Ms. Neelima Basnet, a Nepali freelance architect, helped implement Joao Boto Caeiro’s bamboo truss method in Chapagaun near Kathmandu. Now there are 22 finished houses.

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Bamboo Treatment: Boric-Borax Solution


“Here’s a mild chemical treatment recipe: Mix 10kg boric+15kg borax for 200lts water (warm enough to dissolve the borax in it). Puncture the bamboo nodes and fill it up with this solution. Let it stand saturated for a week. Let it dry and ta-daa, it’s ready to be used!” Best for indoor nature-friendly uses.

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