Italian Workshop on 

Shell and Spatial Structures

MICROCLIMATIC PAVILION

The exhibition pavilion was created after developing a bamboo and steel joint with the objective of making the assembling of the structure as simple as possible, with no need of specialized man power nor to perforate or fill bamboo poles with cement as it is usually done.

The areas of application for this pavilion could be various, such as in pedestrian areas, in the streets and meeting points, in “resting” places, commercial spaces, or in new functions, such as structures for temporary exhibitions or for urban art.

The modular characteristic of the pavilion has adapted well to the reevaluation of “dead spaces” inside a built up environment, revitalizing the identity, returning to the tradition of life in the streets and piazzas, possible through a correct micro-climate control and is favored by independence from weather conditions, thus able to be enjoyed with maximum comfort effect.

BAMBOO ECO DOME

During the exhibition event organized by Interni Magazine “INTERNI DESIGN ENERGIES” at the salon 2009, 

BooTech - BambooEcoDome, a prototype of a geodesical bamboo dome was presented. The project was designed after a first bamboo structure experience in 2006, the Microclimatic Pavilion. A modern interpretation of the material with easy to assemble mechanical connections was further developed.

The same bamboo used in the previous Microclimatic Pavilion was reused, cutted into plates and connected through steel and neoprene joints to create a complex geodesic geometry with amazing static properties (the structure can hold approximately 30 times its weight), lightness, versatility and modernity.

ENERGY EFFICIENT BAMBOO HOUSE

With a rapidly growing economy, and as the world's most populous nation, China faces great stresses on its resources and environment. China therefore presents a paradigmatic test case for environmental sustainability in the 21st Century. The opportunity to design an Energy Efficient Bamboo House in Baoxi 宝溪乡 浙江省for International Bamboo Biennale in the context of the new policies for sustainable growth of China, is very current and important other than interesting and challenging!

Our proposal explores the potentiality of minimize carbon emissions, to maximize environmental protection and natural ecological development through the use of the natural elements available at Baoxi area, such as sun, water, plants, wind and natural materials to achieve a high standard innovative house for the Chinese context.

Bamboo is the plant that absorbs the most carbon dioxide during its life cycle, it is ready to be used for construction in about 3 years and grows much faster than any tree species. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency shows that China has already become the predominant source of carbon dioxide, the main global warming emission. The use of bamboo in this context is very current, especially because the site is near to the Forest Sea of Zhenjiang, therefore bamboo is a natural resource of Baoxi Longquan. For the structure of the Energy Efficient Bamboo House we explored new ways of building using bamboo as a construction material. 

Sustainability for us is not only the use of natural materials such as bamboo but to design appropriate construction solutions. 

Based on our experience we approached sustainability by:

• Designing dry-mounted connections not to weaken bamboo through perforation nor fill it in with concrete, and also to allow the replacement of bamboo poles if needed;

• Designing aluminum connections light and easy to assemble in order that the construction can be done by local workers;

• Using same length of bamboo poles to achieve standardization and best quality control;

• Combining bamboo (vegetable steel) and steel to create an industrialized construction system;

• Applying a precise geometry (Golden proportion - Aurea) to achieve standardization of the pieces, best quality control and harmonic visual impact;

• Using the underground water is for the house the most interesting and sustainable solution, using a geothermal heat pump, which cools as well as heats the house using as least non-renewal energy as possible;

• Apply Feng Shui basic concepts during design, starting from Bagua we organized the spaces of the house in order to offer the best orientation for improving life by receiving positive energy (Qi).