Genericboo by University for the Creative Arts MA Architecture/MA Interior Design

Generic Boo

Cultivating power of sustainable material

by Binal Dharod

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Project Details Project Lead:

Binal Dharod

Design Participants:

Lucy Jones David Di Duca

Title:

Generic Boo Cultivating power of sustainable material

Type:

Public Architectural Installation

Location:

UCA Canterbury campus

Project Dates:

31st July - 14th August - Show buildup 15th August - 18th August - Onsite construction 25th August - Structure open to public

Design Period:

2nd June 2017 - 10th August 2017

Budget:

ÂŁ500

Scale:

6000mm x 4800mm x 3000mm

Support:

University for the Creative Art, Canterbury

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Research Statement

Research Agenda and Process Overview

Significance and Contribution

This project investigates the factors that influence the acceptability of bamboo as material in design and construction in the United Kingdom. This investigation built on different case studies from projects in United Kingdom, which has used bamboo in different platforms. It also investigates the designed construction of spatial arrangements that can merge with nature. It is open, it breaths and its natural.

- Bamboo known for its tensile strength (greater than steel) and flexibility, it is bendable, easy to structure, has a high growth rate, its renewable, sustainable, carbon fixer and a possible solution to deforestation and erosion, it is low in cost, can be seen as an alternative material to wood and ever growing becomes a new promising material for the coming world.

Bamboo poles can be said to merges into the environment creating a space to connect humans with their environment. The design incorporates efficient use of material. This project will particularly add on the use of bamboo in the UK climate and landscape.

- Cultivating the power of sustainable materials

While doing this, the idea is to involve bamboo in special design environment.

- Provide the force for positive change in our global future - Bamboo can adapt to change, this quality can help bamboo adapt to climate in the UK, which makes it a potential crop in UK. If bamboo as a plant is grown in the country, it can become a cheap building material - Urbanising bamboo culture - Promoting natural living

Research Questions

Methodologies

1. What factors influence the acceptability of bamboo as material in design and construction in United Kingdom?

2. To investigate how does bamboo change over time and in different weather conditions.

3. Testing various bonding methods using adhesives and nature materials

3. What methods of building are suitable for bamboo construction in the UK?

Case studies

2. Bamboo lashing techniques

4. Treating bamboo against pests and moisture 5. Creating new joints and support system according to design needs

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Design Proposal A geographically inspired armature makes an interactive space for people to connect with the environment around and bond with each other. Connecting personal thoughts and aspiration with public space that relates to community and supports the future vision for architecture is what this project talks about.

This shall achieve by using bamboo poles as a primary material for its built. I am encourage to develop the generic form built by gathering bamboo poles into functional space. It involves using conventional building techniques with bamboo. This project investigates change in material with time and environment.

Proposal & Context

Design Research Context Field of Work

Work by others

Building with bamboo is older than stone buildings in eastern countries. Today architects like Simon Velez (Colombia) and Kengo Kuma (Japan); are called bamboo architects and known for their innovative use of bamboo as an essential building component.

This Bamboo Lounger by London-based design firm Objekt Incorporated displays the potential for using bamboo in its unprocessed state. Rings of the fast-growing material were woven together to create a new, fabric-like material, which was then attached to a steel frame. Taiwanese designer Fanso Meng design a Bamboo Cell, a stool with bamboo legs and a polyester resin seat, into which the legs have been set along with and a number of bamboo rings.

Key technological outcomes of proposal 1.

Building the structure with maximum natural material which are comparatively sustainable

2. Easy building with bamboo as an open source 3. Researching on stronger and faster bonding agent which is less environmental harmful

Bamboo Lounger Objekt Incorporated London

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Design Methodologies Conventional methods of building with bamboo are used. Japanese bamboo lashing techniques are practice to demonstrate building skills. It is always good to experience history to create innovations.

understanding the surface properties of bamboo; which includes cutting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sanding the necessary smooth surface area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; applying banding agent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; let it heal under pressure. This is a slow process but with efficient planning things can speed-up the Prototyping joinery system to making. will help me understand tricks and rules about working with the Treating bamboo against material. moisture and insects will be an important process to follow. Researching on bonding agent, I developed a visual language where the powerfibers (cells of bamboo) is the main design inspiration. For this, a specific method is develop after

Critical design elements 1.

Potential of using bamboo in its natural state

2. Experiencing the marvellous texture of the nature 3. Developing skills of building with bamboo 4. Experimenting new ways of using bamboo in multiple fields

Process & Methods

Prototyping and testing Over this period, working parallel on both the context; thesis and practice, has help me understand and learn in deep about the material in theory and practical handling. Both type of studies helped me overcome a lot of problems and understanding during these months. A series of experiments and tests were done to develop a unique visual language, which was not conventional to bamboo culture. Trial and errors became an important process to understand material and working with it. a.

Texture of material

The grainy surface of bamboo poles took my attention by its natural aesthetics. These is the cell construction, which makes bamboo strong. Visual texture and the feel when you touch created a bonding with nature. That natural bends and unevenness in the pole made it naturally aesthetic. The outer layer not only gave it a smooth and shiny texture but also acts as a protective layer from insects and weathering.

Bonding agent

Developments and changes in design lead to trying bonding material for bamboo. To bond two poles vertically I tried out various locally available adhesives to resins. Resin epoxy suits the purpose well. Bamboo being a natural product, resin is a total contrast to what I wanted it to be to affect the environment. Using bio-resin to fix the carbon emission that reduces to 50% of the regular once. Very dedicated intention are to make the process eco-friendly and sustainable. c. Structure A pergola like structure is designed to make it a spacial interactive space for humans to be with nature and bond with environment they live in. The structure develops a generic form that is unusual. Letting bamboo poles grow this generic space makes it oddly pleasing to eyes.

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Process & Methods

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Process & Methods

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Fabrication Techniques and Construction Construction is the most important part of fabrication in this project. The structure consists of more than 100 bamboo poles of 3m height with various diameter ranging from 20mm to 50mm. it becomes a tricky assembly with such a height and increased weight from it prototypes. The process was very slow for the target to achieve, this made me test more option to bind poles together leading to learning about Heat melt adhesives for bonding poles and it stood strong in front of epoxy resin adhesive, which also made my assembly process faster.

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Control Systems For the structure to stand strong and poles to bond tightly, the glue have to be carefully applied to surface where the pole meets another one holding maximum surface. Before this each poles needs to be sanded to make it outer smooth surface rougher. Controller and supporters were introduced as an when needed for structural strength.

Bamboo legs

The angle of legs are decided by approximate judgement of inclination as per design. A supporter pole is made to support the incline and further balanced by adding more poles. To add support and stability to the structure, cross beam were made between legs. b. Foundation The poles will b dig into ground upto 200mm to make its foundation strong. Installing bamboo in ground invites moisture and insect attack. To prevent that, Bitumen paint is applied on bottom 300mm of each leg pole

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Occupation and Interaction This project cultivates the power of sustainable material for healthy earth. To understand needs of environment we need to bond with them. This installation is designed to connect with nature. It also utilities the space which unknowingly was ignored due to ground surface. Using bamboo on non native land will also help me investigate its resistance to changing weather of UK and allow bamboo to acclimatise to this surrounding.

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Dissemination and Future Work With this built I intend to spread knowledge about building with bamboo. Bamboo can be a great alternative to pressured timber industry.

Materials and Suppliers List

1. Bamboo poles

- ukbamboo.com (source: China)

The Generic Boo installation can further developed making an exterior space for a restaurant or can customised as required for any space. This visual language can also customised for making furniture. Larger built demonstrating building techniques could not be possible due to budget and time limitations. A further research into acceptability of bamboo could shed light on during its exhibition period where interaction with material will influence the experience. Finally, a step to make bamboo more sustainable by growing it on this land, for which researchers are researching on potential bamboo crop that can grow in UK weather. This will be even beneficial for environment and help understand bamboo more in depth.

Diameter (mm)

height (m)

Quantity

20-25

30-35

40-45

50-55

2. Epoxy Resin Adhesive

- amazon.co.uk seller

- Ebay seller

3. Heat Melt Adhesive

- high temp Gun - Amazon.co.uk

- Glue sticks - ebay seller

4. Jute Thread

- Ebay seller

5. Bitumen Paint

- Wilkoson store, Canterbury

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Bibilography bamboobicycleclub.org: http://bamboobicycleclub.org/ aboutbamboobicycleclublondon/ wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo inbar.int: http://www.inbar.int/ guaduabamboo.com: https://www.guaduabamboo.com/working-withbamboo/ (2013). Retrieved from ISAET: http://www.isaet.org/images/extraimages/ D313084.pdf Pablo van der Lugt, J. V. (2009). Bamboo, a Sustainable Solution for Western Europe Design Cases, LCAs and Land-use. INBAR. Precht, C. (2014, July 18). Leading architects are â&#x20AC;&#x153;turning the focus back on bambooâ&#x20AC;?. (M. Fairs, Interviewer) dezeen.com. ted.com. (2015). elora_hardy. Retrieved from www.ted.com: https://www.ted. com/speakers/elora_hardy

Image Credits All figures are copyright the author unless noted

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Credits MA Architecture Course Leader: Lucy Jones MA Architecture Design Tutor: Lucy Jones David Di Duca Wood Workshop technicians Visiting Critics 2015/16: To be announced.

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