Poetics of Bamboo by Intersection Foundation

POETICS OF BAMBOO BALI, INDONESIA

Copyright © 2015 by Indus University All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at the address below. IDEA Research Cell, Institute of Design, Environment and Architecture, Indus University Rancharda, Via : Thaltej, Ahmedabad - 382 115. Gujarat, India. email: info.idea@indusuni.ac.in website: http://idea.indusuni.ac.in/#home/1 Printed in Ahmedabad, India.

POETICS OF BAMBOO

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY Indus University will be a nationally acclaimed university amongst the best universities of our country - for academic excellence, professional relevance, research and innovation in socially relevant thrust areas, seamlessly integrating Indian values and global ethos, satisfying all its stake holders. To offer quality technical and management education to the members of its community in the best traditions of creative and innovative teaching - learning process encompassing the philosophy ‘’where practice meets theory’’ by ensuring state-of-the-art infrastructure and attracting competent and qualified human resources who will engage in research and development activities aimed for building the university. ABOUT IDEA Imparting architecture education at Institute of Design, Environment and Architecture, Indus University is considered to be a two-way process involving both teachers and students. Teachers engage with the students and endeavor towards finding solutions to complex as well as day-today problems linked to human habitation. This approach helps make for a more interactive and experimental model of education. Along with a potent team of innovators and collaborators, IDEA has focused on developing new teaching methodologies and redesigning the curriculum of architecture education in general. IDEA RESEARCH CELL A research cell was established at IDEA in 2015 to complement the teaching methodology at IDEA and to specifically focus on all-round development of students with respect to building materials, technology and professional practice. We expose students to the cultural and demographic significance in architecture through collaborations with various national and international agencies to enable students to look at architecture from more than just building spaces but from a more socio-cultural perspective. 4

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ABOUT COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS We have figured that the progressive environment when students and faculties get together can only be bettered by having our students interact with professionals in the field and other students and faculties from other universities. In order to create future-ready and a more relevant breed of young architects, the architecture education has to open its boundaries for other sciences, which matter profoundly for a better built and living environment. The curriculum needs to focus on a more contextual approach, which involves an understanding of social sciences as well as economics. By doing so, we will be able to create an awareness which is flexible as well as introspective. At IDEA, we put forward a principle stance in support of collaborative innovation, creative freedom and future relevance. To this effect, we designed “Collaborative Programs” which work in the following ways: 1. Shared Resources 2. Shared Experiences 3. Collective Enrichment These programs help bolster students’ holistic development, in line with the Indus philosophy of making competitive, adaptive professionals with problem-solving abilities and wisdom of context and consideration of society and environment. Through collaboration with other universities and agencies for teaming up with students and facilities, students are brought out of their comfort zone and they get hands-on experience with materials, artisans, other professionals and peers working in the same domain and are able to understand the larger picture that exists around any builtform. They are able to better understand the context, the conception, the process of implementation and the resultant consequence of the built-form on individual and their environment. 5

AUTHOR:

Participating students

CO- AUTHOR: Vicky Achnani Gaurav Dinodia Bhanupratap Sharma Shachee Chandra EDITORS:

Ishita Jain Vivek Sheth Atreya Bhattacharyya Shreya Kaul Bhanupratap Sharma

IN COLLABORATION WITH: EXPERT:

Deffit Wijaya Intan Widuri Ashar Saptura

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PARTICIPANTS

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Acknowledgment We are thankful to the team of experts in Bali that included Defit Wijaya, Intan Viduri and the local bamboo artisants that helped us strengthen the piers of our understanding in terms of working with bamboo as a material and also for providing us with the drawings of the Green School. We are also thankful to PT Bamboo who provided us with the information on the technicalities and pre-processing of bamboo, which in turn helped us understand the material in a better manner.

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Introduction The principle aim of the workshop was to develop an understanding of a material, develop an ability to visualise and articulate forms in the material through sets of joineries and process of making, and further clarifying this learning through the sequence of construction. The workshop started with the basic introduction to bamboo as a material and the concept of tensegrity - by making tensegrity models followed by lectures on campus, Indus. Once the models were made, a simple unit to demonstrate tensegrity was worked out in bamboo to understand the fixtures and joineries used in creating the structure. Bali offers a range of bamboo species that can be used in multiple ways, making bamboo a versatile material of construction for the region. The workshop was segregated in Two Main Categories in terms of understanding the material: - Expressions of bamboo in Bali - Understanding the concept of Tensegrity and Hands-on working with the material

SECTION I

To look at the main building material, bamboo, and study how all the systems are made entirely out of it. 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4

Drawings Millenium Bridge Versatility Of Bamboo Green School

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GREEN VILLAGE

34 36

To look at how bamboo is treated and understand its properties. 3.1 Process

GREEN SCHOOL

26 28 29 30

To take it as a case study and understand the sequence of construction, and then to use it to its maximum capacity. 2.1 Sunrise Villa 2.2 Bamboo Staircase

EXPRESSIONS OF BAMBOO IN BALI

P T BAMBOO

SECTION II

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF TENSEGRITY AND HANDS-ON WORKING WITH MATERIAL

To apply tensegrity and apply the understanding in 1:1 scale by making a Fullerene. 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Mock Up Model 5.3 Sequence Of Construction For Making Of Tensegrity Structure

49 55 63

TRADITIONAL HUT

To understand basic joineries in bamboo and how all the systems are assembled. 6.1 Sequence Of Construction For Making Of Tree House

TENSEGRITY

Questionaires...................................................94

...........CONTENTS 13

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ORIENTATION WORKSHOP

A workshop was conducted on campus, before going to Bali, in order to understand the basic concept of tensegrity and to study bamboo as a construction material. The short workshop included lectures on tensegrity, making mockup models of units and working with bamboo. Since, the workshop was structured to provide the students with the primary understanding of the concept of tensegrity, it began with the introduction to theory of tensegrity, which was followed by making very basic models on expressing the concept of tensegrity.

ORIENTATION WORKSHOP

TOOLS USED: • • • • • •

Wooden sticks (cross section 1cm x 1cm) Hammer Hack Saw Hooks String Drilling Machine

PROCESS: • • • • • •

Out of a long wooden stick, cut four sticks of 15cm precisely. Drill (1.5mm) two surfaces (top and bottom) with smallest cross section area Screw a hook into the hole. Take three sticks and start tying the bottom of one member to the bottom of the second member. Tie the bottom of the third member to th bottom of the previous two. Tie all the three sticks from the top in same series.

1. Wooden sticks 2. Hooks inserted on the top and bottom of the sticks 3. Tensegrity model 4. Testing the tensigrity model

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EXPLORATIONS: • Basic units of tesegrity were tried and the princilple of tesegrity was explored through different units. In some cases weights were added in order to stabilize the unit.

1. Connections 2. Model 3. Testing of Model

WORKING WITH BAMBOO:

• Students were supposed to work with bamboo before going to Bali so that they got used to the tools and properties of bamboo as a material in it’s practical terms. • Cutting of bamboo • Splitting of bamboo

1. Cutting Of bamboo 2. Making a groove in bamboo using a knife 3. Creating a slit by hitting a hammer on the knife 4. Pulling off the two splits with hands

4 ORIENTATION WORKSHOP

FINAL MODEL: • Since bamboo is one of the best material for the context of Bali, the idea was to learn the concept of tensegrity with bamboo. So, a tensegrity mock-up model was made on a larger scale. • As the actual material and a larger scale was introduced, joineries and other technicalities had to be faced. • Here, adjustible clamps replaced hooks and clutch wire replaced string. Clutch wire was tied with the adjustible clamps by U-clamps and they were provided with turn buckles to adjust the tension in them.

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1. U-clamps 2. Final tensegrity model made out of bamboo 3. Turn buckles

2 ORIENTATION WORKSHOP

SECTION I EXPRESSIONS OF BAMBOO IN BALI

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Chapter 1 Green School........................................................ 25 1.1 Drawings 26

1.2 Millenium Bridge 1.3 Versatility Of Bamboo 1.4 Green School

28 29 30

Chapter 2 Green Village ....................................................... 33 34 2.1 Sunrise Villa

2.2 Bamboo Staircase

Chapter 3 PT Bamboo............................................................ 39 3.1 Process 40

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Chapter 1

GREEN SCHOOL

The unique Green School sits on the land of Bali, where the built forms seek to be in harmony with the surroundings. It came up with the thought of giving back to the nature and to improve the possibilities for the coming generations. The rising idea has four classrooms, kitchen, gymnasium, kindergarten, access bridge and a principal building. The heart of the school has no walls; it is entirely open in order to allow cross-ventilation and also to develop a sense of connection with the surroundings. It is double helix in plan .There is no separate rooms for classes; spaces are separated with the help of levels.

GREEN SCHOOL

1.1 DRAWINGS

Ground Floor Plan scale: NTS

South Elevation

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scale: NTS

First Floor Plan scale: NTS

Second Floor Plan

GREEN SCHOOL

1Millenium bridge-https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f8/eb/99/f8eb 991fae712a19c30349a8342d059c.jpg

2. Millenium bridge-https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cIKM0AOpbFg/maxresdefault.jpg

1.2 MILLENIUM BRIDGE The Millenium Bridge, constructed above the Abiansemal stream spanning 22 meters across, enhances the beauty of the place. The school buildings itself are an inspiration for a sustainable future since they are made up entirely of natural and recycled materials – like bamboo, timber, thatch, tires and more. Traditional methods of assembly are used for its construction. The fencing, pathways, staircases, tables and chairs, blackboards, roof - everything is made out of sustainable materials. The roof made of thatch and bamboo is like an umbrella. It extends out protecting the inside from rain and also prevents the bamboo from weathering. Car windshields are also used at some places as roofing material. The idea was to give back to local. The idea of sustainability is implanted in young minds at the ‘cathedral of green education’. Children come together from 25 different countries to start their journey of sustainability. The children take part in rice planting, mud wrestling, building with bamboo and a lot more activities apart from just reading books and writing notes. The motto of the founder is to “Be local, let the environment lead, think how your grandchildren might build.” 26

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1.3 VERSATILITY OF BAMBOO

GREEN SCHOOL

1.4 GREEN SCHOOL

Split bamboo and bamboo tied to support the roof throughout.

Central support system

Steel reinforcement helping the bamboo stand with the help of grouting. Stone seperation bamboo and ground. 28

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Bamboo ends are covered with cement and lime.

Horizontal member resting on vertical member with the help of fish mouth detail.

Members behaving as supporting and supported both.

Pins joining the bamboo members

Section and plan for a type of beam and column system. GREEN SCHOOL

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Chapter 2

GREEN VILLAGE

Green Village was founded by John Hardy and designed by his daughter Elora Hardy, also the creative designer of the team Ibuku. Green village is a planned community of bamboo structures, which are hand-constructed by the bamboo artisans of Bali. There are about eighteen houses in the village and each house is custom designed according to the client’s requirements and engineered to embody the inherent strengths and versatility of bamboo. Out of the eighteen houses in the village, Sunrise Villa and Garden Villa were the two houses that we observed closely. The villas were surrounded by lush green forest and serenaded by the flowing river. Every villa has its own private space that allows it to disconnect itself from the other villas. A few villas go below the ground level and a few go above the ground level. One villa comprises of at least two to three bedrooms, a living room, a dining area, a woven bubble, a working space and a common seating area, which overlooks the surroundings. On a larger scale, the main observation was how bamboo was used in every possible place and in every possible way - from being used in structure, cladding, services and home accessories.

GREEN VILLAGE

2.1 SUNRISE VILLA Two split bamboo bundles running through columns supporting the staircase.

Details

Secondary beams resting upon primary beams, seperated by 2-3 bamboo spacer pieces, in order to prevent unwanted movement. 32

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Ways of supporting the floor with different bamboo systems.

Bamboo members coming together to form a system to support the floor.

Junction of roof members meeting at a point ( 4 beams, 1 column)

GREEN VILLAGE

2.2

BAMBOO STAIRCASE

Bamboo skeletons used as a support in railings and also used as an enclosure in walls.

Bamboo treads supported on split bamboo stringer beams.

Entire spiral staircase taking support from a single bamboo at the centre.

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System of vertical and split bamboo supporting the staircase and the floor.

Split bamboo stringer beams running throught the staircase supporting the treads.

Stringer beam taking support from the ground through bamboo and supporting the treads.

GREEN VILLAGE

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Chapter 3 P T BAMBOO PT BAMBOO PURE is a large scale bamboo factory in Bali, where all the bamboo used for construction is brought and then processed. The purpose of visiting this factory was to know about bamboo from plantation to it’s final product, which is then used for construction. This factory actually satisfies you with a question that how a humble grass can serve multiple purposes. • PT Bamboo is the main source to get treated bamboo in Bali. • The total no of available species is 160, out of which only 6 species are used in major construction. • Sizes are not standard and are customized depending on the need or usage.

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PT BAMBOO

3.1 PROCESS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Harvesting Sorting Treatment Washing Drying Cutting/ splitting

3.1.1 Harvesting • • • •

Weight of bamboo depends on humidity content Maximum height of bamboo is 35m and diameter 20cm Bamboo grows in loamy or clayey soil which is yellowish brown in color. Diameter of bamboo becomes double when grown near river.

NODES

ROOTS GROUND

YEAR 1: Grows upto its maximum height

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YEAR 2 : Wall thickness grows

YEAR 3 : If cut before 3 years, it is vulnerable to shrinkage

YEAR 4 : Attains maximum height

3.1.2 Sorting • •

Quality bamboo -Quality bamboo is send for further treatment process which has been described below Rejected bamboo -Infested Bamboo -Cracked bamboo -Deformed bamboo -Shrinking & splitting -Discolour bamboo

Deformed Bamboo

Infested Bamboo

Cracked Bamboo

Shrunk Bamboo

These rejected bamboos can serve some other purpose, other than construction. e.g. - cracked bamboos are used for splits - discolour and shrinked bamboos are used as thatch and many times for farming

3.1.3 Treatment •

Bamboo is punctured manually using iron rods throughout the nodes before soaking. Bamboo used for main structural beam is punctured near the nodes to create a channel through which the boron solution can enter the bamboo. This is done to retain the strength of bamboo.

90% water + 8-10% boron solution Temp. 40-70 ˚C Kept for 24 hours in hot water and 8 hours in cold water.

3.1.4 Power Washing • • •

After soaking, bamboo is subjected to power washing at 2500 psi pressure. Washing helps in getting rid of fungi and dust. Water can be reused for washing many bamboos.

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3.1.5 Drying Process • Bamboo is placed vertically under the shed.

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http://static1.squarespace.com/static/53407b1de4b05fdb12d8f4a7/t/ 53552d1ae4b0e57158f86a26/1398091235358/drying-bamboo-poles.jpg

PT BAMBOO

3.1.6 Working With Bamboo •

Cutting , splitting, drilling, moulding and puncturing a bamboo is done using customised tools and machineries. • For the ease of cutting and splitting, the direction along the grain is considered.

Crane: To lift bamboo from boron solution and to keep it vertical for drying.

Pressure Pump: To power wash bamboo with water at 2500 psi. Removes fungi.

Chain Saw: For cutting and splitting.

Drill Machine: To drill bamboo and its nodes.

Knife: To remove skin of bamboo. Making of dowels, pins of bamboo.

Hand Saw: To cut bamboo.

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PT BAMBOO

SECTION II UNDERSTANDING OF TENSEGRITY AND HANDS-ON WORKING WITH MATERIAL

POETICS OF BAMBOO

Chapter 1 Tensegrity...................................................................... 49 49 1.1 Introduction

1.2 Mock Up Model 1.3 Sequence Of Construction For Making Of Tensegrity Structure

55 63

Chapter 2 Traditional Hut...............................................................77 2.1 Sequence Of Construction For Making Of Tree House 78

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Chapter 1 TENSEGRITY

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6563989147_76645c8c47_b.jpg

TENSEGRITY

1.1.1 What Is Tensegrity? Tensegrity is a structural principle based on components in compression inside a net of continuous tension, in such a way that the compressed members (usually bars or struts) do not touch each other and the pre-stressed tensioned members (usually cables or tendons) delineate the system spatially. According to the experts of tensegrity, 1. “Tensegrity is a structural-relationship principle in which structural shape is guaranteed by the finitely closed, comprehensively continuous, tensional behaviors of the system and not by the discontinuous and exclusively local compressional member behaviours”.- Buckminster Fuller

Montreal biosphere, 1967

2. “Tensegrity describes a closed structural system composed of a set of three or more elongate compression struts within a network of tension tendons, the combined parts mutually supportive in such a way that the struts do not touch one another, but press outwardly against nodal points in the tension network to form a firm, triangulated, prestressed, tension and compression unit.” - Kenneth Snelson

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1.1.2 Basic Concept Of Tensegrity

The balloon can be referred as an example of tensegrity system because it uses the same working principle that consists of two elements - the air as the compressed element and the balloon skin as tensile element. In fact, a balloon doesn’t have a form that can be defined when the air inside doesn’t have the pressure towards the outer skin. The more air that is inflated into the balloon; the skin of the balloon will be more depressed forming a rounded shape. Same with Tensegrity, the tensile and compressed force that work will produce tension, wherein the resultant = zero.

TENSEGRITY

1.1.3 History The term Tensegrity was given by the American Architect, Engineer and Philosopher Richard Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983). The term is basically a combination of two words i.e. ‘Tension’ and ‘Integrity’. This is a prestressed system. He is known as the father of Tensegrity. Firstly, Buckminster Fuller described his ideas in mathematical terms and then came Kenneth Snelson who started making structures based on the concept of Tensegrity. Fuller registered a patent in 1959 and gained recognition in 1962. He also gave the name Tensile Integrity in the patent.

Types 1.

Spherical Cell: When all cables can be mapped on a sphere without intersections between them, apart from the nodes of the system, then the cable set is “homeomorphic” to a sphere.

2. Stars Cell: When some nodes perceive only two tensile elements and one struts and these 3 elements are ` coplanar.

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1.1.4 Form Finding And Assembling Form Finding 1. Form Controlled Model: Geometry Approach – This method does not concern to any criteria regarding the regularity of the component, and the potential mechanism character – stability has been generated from the geometry finding process and trials (trial and error) – the result is more unexpected.   2. Force Controlled Model: This method uses criteria structure mechanism – the result is more precise, regular, but does not have too much variation, and took a little while process to generate a more complex form.   Assembling The assembly system are grouped based arrangement, namely: 1. Uni-dimensional assemblies : the system is characterized by a major axis, which determine the whole geometry  2. Bi-dimensional assemblies : not only has a major axis, more complex, curved or double layer

TENSEGRITY

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1.2 MOCK UP MODEL

TENSEGRITY

1.2.1 Tensegrity Miniature Model Construction

Materials and tools required for making of a Tensegrity fullerene

Step 1 Step 2

• Prepare 30 stems of bamboo (skewers) size->15cm • Mark 1.5cm from the tip of the bamboo (on both sides, i.e. at both the ends)

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Step 3

• Paste the tape under the mark and then split the bamboo along 1.5cm from the top of the bamboo.

Step 4

• Cut threads of size 13cm (why 13cm? – after decreasing 1.5cm on the ends we will get 12cm stick, and the thread must be 1cm more than the net length of the stick.)

TENSEGRITY

Step 5

• Tying the thread on the stick… 1. Tie the thread inside the split of bamboo 2. Rotate the thread for 1.5 times and then pass the thread from the split again. 3. Then glue the thread on that side. 4. Then make a mark at 13cm on that thread. 5. Place that mark inside the split at another end. 6. Repeat the same process and glue it at last. 7. {prepare 30 sticks with same process}

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Step 6 • 1. Making Of Pentagon -Connect the split of 1st bamboo to the thread of adjacent bamboo in clockwise direction. -Similarly connect all five sticks (make sure that the sides of pentagon are equal.)

• 2. Making Of Triangles -Take another five bamboo sticks and start joining their ends. i.e. start adding sticks from one end of each extended stick to the mid-point of adjacent stick and so on for other 5 triangles that will be formed.

TENSEGRITY

• 3. Forming 5 Pentagons - Add the perpendicular bamboo sticks at the midpoint of the sticks forming triangles. - Again take another set of sticks from the perpendicular’s one and extend it or pass it through the end of other stick.

- Hence 5 pentagons would again be formed. - Formation of another ring of triangles The bamboo at the periphery of the structure connects the next members in the anticlockwise direction to form triangles. - Again 5 triangles are formed. (Till now 25 sticks are used out of 30)

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Step 7

• Formation of fullerene • Invert the structure and add the last 5 bamboo sticks making last 5 pentagons.

TENSEGRITY

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1.3 SEQUENCE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR MAKING OF TENSEGRITY STRUCTURE

TENSEGRITY

1.3.1 Preparing Bamboos • Sorting Of Bamboo Sorting of bamboo was done on the following basis: 1. Straight bamboo 2. One way bending 3. Two way bending •

Cutting Of Bamboo -Straight bamboos are more preferable for any sort of structure. -Mark 3.4 meters from one edge of the bamboo, then cut it with a handsaw.

•

Marking On Bamboo -Mark 20cm from both the ends of bamboo, then drill the marks and insert the metal ring.

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• Drilling The Bamboo And Inserting The Metal Ring -As mentioned above, drill through the bamboo at the 20cm mark on both the sides. NOTE: The diameter of bamboo is 10cm, and the diameter of metal ring is 15cm.) -For holding the bamboo and metal ring together, insert the THREAD ROD of length 20cm. -Drill both the adjacent sides through the metal ring, and then insert two 10cm thread rods on both the sides.

• Bolting -Insert washer and bolt at both ends of the 20cm thread rod to tighten it with the metal ring. For both the adjacent thread rods, insert washer and bolt on the two sides of the metal ring, as the rods only goes halfway through the bamboo.

TENSEGRITY

• Horse Shoe Clamp -After drilling and bolting, insert horseshoe clamp on opposite sides of the metal ring for attaching the clutch wires.(Four horseshoe clamps are used in one bamboo)

• Marking On The Loop -From the loop of clutch wire, mark 4.3m and cut it with a wire cutter. (Hence a 4.3m long cable is formed) (Cut 30 cables)

• Taping The Wire -Use a black tape to wrap the marked points, so that the wire does not split.

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• Marking On Wire On 4.3m clutch wire, mark 15cm and then 37.5cm on both the ends.

• Attaching The Clutch Wire With Horse Clamp -Pass the clutch wire through the horseshoe clamp keeping the mark (37.5) in the centre and tighten it with two U-clamps. Make sure that the direction of u-clamp is from shorter cable to longer cable. Fix one u-clamp at the edge of the shorter cable (i.e. near the tape) and other near the horseshoe clamp.

Then tie the clutch wire on both sides of bamboo, keeping horseshoe in parallel direction. FINAL PRODUCT (30 BAMBOO WITH TIED CLUTCH WIRE, READY TO MAKE STRUCTURE)

TENSEGRITY

1.3.2 Making Of Tensegrity Structure Step 1

• Start numbering the bamboos i.e. number each bamboo (1,2,3,4…30) • Take five bamboos and arrange them in the shape of a pentagon. • Mark 92.5cm on the clutch cable and then connect the string by making a knot. Make sure the mark is at the center (top to top) of 1 to 2 as marked on the string. • This knot is placed in the horseshoe clamp of proceeding numbered bamboo. • Similarly have 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5 and 5 to 1. Hence a uniform pentagon will be formed (in which one end of each bamboo would be up and another below the proceeding bamboo) (pentagon will be formed in clockwise direction)

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POINTS TO BE NOTED 1. You need to shift the bamboos while tying them. 2. Cable of newer member goes in the clamp of existing member (bamboo) at one end. Step 2

• Similarly, mark both the sides of the string (i.e. at 92.5cm) join other five bamboos i.e. no 6 to 10. • Five triangles would be formed in the anti-clockwise direction. • 1st triangle would be formed by no6 bamboo whose one end would go above no1 bamboo and below no2 bamboo. • Similarly form triangles with no 7,8,9 and 10 bamboos.

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Step 3

• Now perpendiculars are to be formed (i.e. from no 11 to 15) on those bamboos, which have formed triangles. (I.e. on no 6 to 10) • Place No11 bamboo perpendicularly at the mid-point of no6 bamboo. (Making a knot and keeping the mark at the center of no6 bamboo’s clutch wire tie i.e. those two bamboos) • Repeat the same for the other four proceeding bamboos.

Step 4

• Next 5 bamboos will form a set of five pentagons. (No 16 to 20) • No 16 will go above 11 and below 10.

NOTE -Each bamboo has a mark at 92.5cm on the clutch wire, and that is the point at which the clutch wire gets connected to another bamboo’s horseshoe clamp, with the help of a u-clamp.

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ASSEMBLY

TENSEGRITY

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Chapter 2 TRADITIONAL HUT

TRADITIONAL HUT

2.1 SEQUENCE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR MAKING OF TREE HOUSE 2.1.1 Site Visit The main aim of the design was to create a user friendly space considering the existing tree. One of the restrains was to keep the space limited till a certain length as we did not want it to overlap the path. The other restrain was to not harm the tree by drilling or any other means.

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Design Development: Evolving from a square planned “Traditional Indonesian Hut” to a radial planned semi-open space. The design decisions were taken considering the existing tree, which led to different ideas. The elements of the design are columns, beams, roof and floor. Working with the site context and the design suggestions, we came up with a design through summing up of the ideas. The idea kept on refining till the final product. 2.1.2 Mock-Up Model Ideas were resolved through the miniature model. It was made from cane sticks. Dimensions were derived with the help of anthropometry.

Evolution of traditional hut to the tree house TRADITIONAL HUT

2.1.3 Sequence Of Construction Step 1: Firstly we began with clearing the land and sorting the bamboos. Then four bamboos with wall thickness of 6mm were attached to the existing tree. The bamboos were tied to the tree using a rope as we were not to drill the tree in order to fix the bamboos or damage the roots for foundations.

Sorting of Bamboo.

Marking at 400cm and 130cm and cutting them.

Marking at 50cm and cutting them. 78

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Step 2: The dimensioning of the major beams was from the mock up model that was made. In order to support the floor beams which were 1.3 meters in length an additional members of length 0.5 meters were vertically attached to the bamboos tied to the tree.

Bamboo member was added to support the floor beams.

Elevation

TRADITIONAL HUT

Step 3: The main floor beams were attached to the vertical bamboos by bamboo pins which were 8 to 10 mm thick in diameter and hand made with bamboo splits leaving a rectangular edge at the end in order to fix firmly.

• Inserting a knife in order to split the bamboo. • splitting the bamboo further into smaller sections. • shaping the split section with a knife leaving a rectangular edge.

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Step 4: The main floor beams were then diagonally braced and were grouted. The angle was derived by trial and error as the land was steep and uneven further the floor beams were braced horizontally. To support the major floor beams additional members of length 0.5 meters were attached to the diagonal members.

Elevation

Plan

TRADITIONAL HUT

Elevation

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Step 5: To have a floor, secondary floor beams were introduced below the primary floor beams. Other horizontal members, having more than 30 cm extension placed on floor beam in order to get firm floor to sit and rest Bracings added in order to support the secondary floor members (PLAN)

Secondary floor members added. (PLAN)

TRADITIONAL HUT

Step 6: In order to firmly secure the bamboo to the ground as the soil was loose, stones were stacked instead of foundation.

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Step 7: Next, the main columns were attached. The angle of it was derived by tying a rope at the top of the column and by stretching it to a point on the floor which had an extension of 30cm, in term making a straight line. The angulations of the columns was supported by vertical bamboo scaffolding.

TRADITIONAL HUT

Step 8: In order to attach the rafters a curved beam was made out of bamboo trough slits in it. Then the curved beam was attached to the vertical bamboos, further rafters were attached to the curved beam, and were rested on the incline column.

Compression ring added in order to support the rafters

Plan 86

POETICS OF BAMBOO

Elevation

Step 9: The rafters were attached to the inclined columns. Further roof beams were introduced between the two inclined columns and rafters were attached to it. Splits of bamboo were then attached to the rafters in order to connect the rafters for roofing.

TRADITIONAL HUT

Step 10: Next bracing was done between the roof beams in order to prevent radial movement.

Step 11: Lastly thatch was tied with bamboo rope to the rafter in a stacking manner with equal spacing between the two.

POETICS OF BAMBOO

The whole sequence of construction was merely smooth. But a failure led to complications. This resulted in addition of more supporting elements to the structure which was decided on site. The cause of the failure was splitting of one the main bamboo members due to overloading, which was then replaced and further more vertical supports were added to avoid the same. We cultivated a learning that “Bamboo structures never collapse they deform.”

TRADITIONAL HUT

POETICS OF BAMBOO

What...How....Why...?

POETICS OF BAMBOO

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1. Treatment 2. Making of Holes in Bamboo to let boron enter into it 3. Types of Bamboo

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There are 160 species of bamboo of which 6 types of bamboo are The structure of the school and three different types of bamboo

found in Indonesia out used for construction. village was built with : Petung, Tali, Duri. 93

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4. Making of miniature model 5. Purposeful use of bamboo

POETICS OF BAMBOO

6 6. Thatch roof

7. Foundation detail 8. Beam Detail 9. Truss detail

POETICS OF BAMBOO

10. Furniture 11. Multistorey structure 12. Form 13. Joineries 14. Bridges

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POETICS OF BAMBOO

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The use of bamboo for foundation is rather restricted. this is mainly due to the fact that like timber when in contact to with the damp ground, thehy deteriorate and decay very quickly unless treated with some very effectve preservative. However, in spite of their short life considerable use of bamboos is made as foundation or supporting posts in case of houses built in raised platforms. The types of bamboo foundations identified are : a) Bamboo in direct ground contact b) Bamboo on rock or performed concrete footings c) Composite bamboo/ concrete columns d) Bamboo piles

15. Multiple Bamboo in one foundation 16. Single Bamboo in one foundation 17. Foundation from bottom 18. Bent Beam 19. Heating of Bamboo using heatgun

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Out of certain factors to which bamboo respond climatically, one of them is LIGHT. Due to which, bamboo structures have long overhungs. The reason behind is to prevent bamboo from receiving direct sunlight upto it’s lowest part that is till the foundation. If not done, the probability of failure of the structure increases as bamboo starts decaying. INSECTS are also a part of surrounding which may ruin the entire bamboo. Prevention to this is a boron treatment. Windward direction

WIND is the second most common factors affecting bamboo climatically. It may disturb the structure in it’s extreme conditions. To resist that, a plate inside the bottom part of bamboo is kept opposite to windward direction. Also side and size of overhung may change accordingly. Wind also forces us to decide the height and number of bamboos to be used for the respective structure.

20. Plate inside bamboo resists it from bending during strong winds 21. Overhung 22. Parts of Bamboo

Bamboos can be of diameter from 5cm to 20cm and lenght upto 35m.

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Bamboo is a very complex material and many things affect it like: 1) Direction 2) Moisture content (MC%) 3) Diameter 4) Wall thickness 5) Distance to node 6) Height 7) Age 8) Species

23. Bamboo lamp 24. Bamboo toilet

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Maximum life span of bamboo is 5 years where bamboo is being employed as a primary material. It can extend upto a year more if it is treated properly.

Bamboo are evergreen tree like grasses with woody stems as the growth of bamboo depends on local condition of the site and behave different than other if grown in inaadequate climate

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TRIAL AND ERROR method is the quickest method of bamboo construction because joineries of different junctions are decided on site as bamboo sizes and properties may vary .

The principle of tension and compression don’t apply commonly to all bamboo species. It varies from species to species. Type of Bamboo : DENDRIOCALAMUS ASPER Part of bamboo : Horizontal Part - TENSION Vertical Part - COMPRESSION

Bamboo is stored under a shed during construction away from direct sunlight. Treated bamboo is transported to the site through trucks.

25 25. Transportation

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