Working With Bamboo
At Pablo Luna Studio, we are dedicated to finding unique and sustainable solutions for our client’s architectural needs. Our focus on bamboo as a building material not only allows us to incorporate local culture and craftsmanship into our designs but also reduces our environmental impact. We have completed a diverse array of projects, from small private homes to large public buildings, in Indonesia and beyond.
As an architectural firm based in Bali, we are constantly inspired by the tropical environment and rich culture surrounding us – an influence that is evident in our work.
Our modern and innovative approach allows us to consistently create inspiring and functional interior design spaces that celebrate the beauty of bamboo and its potential as a versatile building material. We are proud to be leading the way in promoting bamboo architecture and design both in Bali and globally.
Our Bamboo Building Projects
Foundations
Columns
Arches
Roof Structure
Roof Cover
Walls
Floors
Furniture
How we use Bamboo
Foundations
Columns
Arches
Roof Structure
Roof Cover
Walls
Floors
Furniture
Why we use Bamboo as the Primary Building Material
FAST GROWING
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing grasses, with some species able to grow up to 1.25 m in just 24 hours. The culms mature in 3 to 5 years and can be harvested for construction.
STRUCTURALLY STRONG
Bamboo is a strong and durable building material with higher tensile strength than steel, compressive properties stronger even than concrete - making it perfect for architecture and design!
RENEWABLE RESOURCE
Bamboo is a highly renewable resource that can be harvested and does not need to be replanted. The poles continue to grow new shoots, providing an endless supply.
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
One of the most efficient plants for removing carbon dioxide, bamboo can store up to 33% more than trees during its growth process. It also releases 30 percent oxygen in exchange.
VERSATILE
Bamboo is an amazing material for making all sorts of things. You can use them as whole sticks, or split them up and flatten the pieces before cutting curves into them, there are endless possibilities.
LOW EMBODIED ENERGY
Bamboo is a natural material that grows without the need for fertilizers or pesticides, and the process of harvesting it only requires simple tools.
Explore our Work
Bamboo Architecture FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
It varies depending on the location of the project. Bamboo, Wood, Rammed Earth, Bricks, Mud or even Concrete when necessary. We believe that the balance in a harmonious ecological design emanates from working with locally sourced materials and building traditions.
We design commercial and residential projects all around the world, currently in Indonesia, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and India. Soon in Colombia, Peru, and Nicaragua.
We support you in the selection process with constructors. Partnering up with the right constructors is key, the reason why we provide all the specifications needed for them to construct our buildings with the highest quality standards.
‘Petung’, Dendrocalamus Asper, which comes from Bali and Java. It grows in small clumps along the river valley, usually on privately owned land, so we purchase our bamboo from hundreds of individual farmers.
Bamboo is a flexible and tensile material with the strength equivalent to steel. We account for the flexibility in the engineering process and work to ensure our bamboo maintains its integrity over time.
Yes, bamboo is plentiful in river valleys throughout Asia, and the clumps regenerate each year. Bamboo is ready for use as a building material at age 3-5 years.
Our main treatment uses a boron solution that suppress the glucose inside the bamboo and renders it inedible for insects.
The bamboo is treated naturally with boron, a chemical element found in nature – for example in the Great Salt Lake, USA. It is only slightly more toxic than table salt and is perfectly safe to use in a family home.
Structural performance of our structures based on our engineers’ calculations is a minimum of 25 years. There are bamboo structures in South America and Europe that are over 100 years old. If the bamboo is chosen well, treated properly, designed carefully and maintained, a bamboo house can last a lifetime.
Our bamboo houses are designed and built to avoid prolonged sun and rain exposure. The bamboo is also coated with a weather resistant coating.
Properly treated and selected, mature bamboo in a well-designed structure does not require significant structural maintenance. The bamboo should only be treated once, before construction begins; additional treatments against insects are not necessary. The roof of a bamboo house must be maintained to protect the columns from prolonged rain contact and direct sun exposure; poles that are exposed should be monitored and protected and joints reviewed every few years to confirm that they remain secure. Re-coating both structural and interior bamboo every 2-4 years will improve its appearance and longevity, and we anticipate that the quality of and technology behind coatings will advance over time, including waterproofing and UV resistance. Long-term maintenance is primarily cosmetic refinishing.
Bamboo FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Our goal is to create beautiful, sustainable and harmonious designs that embody our strong belief in the value of local materials and building traditions.
Each project location requires a unique approach in order to achieve this balance. This could involve using a combination of different materials such as bamboo, wood, rammed earth, bricks, mud or even concrete when necessary.
We take great care to source local and native materials when possible to ensure each design is rooted in the culture and history of the area while achieving high environmental standards.
We design commercial and residential projects all around the world, currently in Indonesia, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and India. Soon in Colombia, Peru, and Nicaragua.
When trying to embark on a construction project, having the right constructor is essential. That’s why we provide all of our clients with detailed specifications of the building they would like to see constructed. We take pride in providing constructors with information so that they are able to build our structures of the highest quality standards.
With us backing you in your selection process, you can trust that we will assist you in finding the best constructor for your project.
‘Petung’, Dendrocalamus Asper, which comes from Bali and Java. It grows in small clumps along the river valley, usually on privately owned land, so we purchase our bamboo from hundreds of individual farmers.
Our 300sqm houses at Green Village Bali contain +8100 running meters of bamboo structure or approximately 1200 poles. An additional +3000m is used in interior finishing.
Bamboo is an incredible material and its strength-to-weight ratio has huge potential for engineering. It is naturally flexible, yet much stronger than wood, with tensile strength even equivalent to steel in certain cases. This makes bamboo a fantastic option for manufacturing durable products that can be utilized over long periods of time.
Our engineers take into account the flexibility of the material and work hard to ensure our bamboo maintains its integrity for as long as possible. We are passionate about bringing sustainable materials into the manufacturing process so that we can help protect the environment while creating useful and durable products.
Yes, bamboo is plentiful in river valleys throughout Asia, and the clumps regenerate each year. Bamboo is ready for use as a building material at age 3-5 years.
Our main treatment uses a boron solution that suppress the glucose inside the bamboo and renders it inedible for insects.
The bamboo is treated naturally with boron, a chemical element found in nature – for example in the Great Salt Lake, USA. It is only slightly more toxic than table salt and is perfectly safe to use in a family home.
Structural performance of our structures based on our engineers’ calculations is a minimum of 25 years. There are bamboo structures in South America and Europe that are over 100 years old. If the bamboo is chosen well, treated properly, designed carefully and maintained, a bamboo house can last a lifetime.
For regions with varying weather conditions, our bamboo houses provide the perfect solution. Their unique design features and use of materials like weather-resistant coating are built to withstand both harsh sunshine and heavy rainfall.
These structures are able to remain undamaged no matter what type of elements they’re exposed to. Not only is the exterior design more durable than traditional buildings, but it’s also functional in the sense that it can direct the airflow keeping the internal environment comfortable for residents all year round. The bamboo house model is truly a remarkable feat of modern engineering!
Utilizing the right kind of mature, treated bamboo in a well-designed structure means you won’t have to worry about significant maintenance worries. Before construction begins, treat the bamboo once and that should be sufficient; no further treatments, such as insect control, will be required.
As a preventive measure, make sure the roofing is in good shape to protect the columns from rain and sun damage. To increase the life span of your bamboo house, consider re-coating both interior and structural areas every two to four years. This not only preserves its appearance but also applies modern coatings with water and UV resistance for increased protection against elements over time.
