B A M B O O M A T E R I A L S

B E L U M R A I N F O R E S T R E S O R T

R E S P O N S I V E D E S I G N

S U S T A I N A B L E A R C H I T E C T U R E

Cooling system

efficiency

Sustainable

Building

Materials

Thermal Comfort

for users and

space

A R C H I T E C T U R A L E L E M E N T S

WALL

S O L U T I O N S

ROOFHEAT GAIN

DULLNESS

COLOUR

VENTILATION

CONSTRAINT

MATERIALS

RENEWABLE

MATERIALS

DECORATION

COLUMNS

C A S E S T U D Y

TROPICAL

CLIMATE

BAMBOO

GROWTH

TIMBER

COMPARISON

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the research area that been chosen in Belum Rainforest Resort area?

2. What are the benefits of bamboo materials compared to the other materials?

3. Why do bamboo materials can be categorised under Sustainable Architecture?

4. In terms of natural climate, do bamboo materials adapt to it?

5. What are other significant case studies that can take into consideration for the

research area?

Summary

The relationship between sustainable design and materials is the basis of

today’s inventiveness. Shigeru Ban said, “ Architecture is not about designing

something from a free, fanciful idea. It is about discovering and establishing one’s

own principle, some kind of regularity - finding an individual formula to apply to one’s

buildings. His quotes inspired my research area of Bamboo Materials in Belum

Rainforest Resort.

During my site visit, I found out that bamboo materials give an interesting

impression to most of the tourist there. Based on my interview session with them,

they said that the colour and physical feature of it stands out the most compared to

the other type of wood. It also gave us a pleasing view and a feeling of humbleness

on every elevation in Belum Rainforest Resort. The bamboo materials can mostly be

seen in reception area of Belum Rainforest Resort and it gives the welcome gesture

to the visitors. According to my research, bamboo can easily be grown up to 35

inches within 24 hours in 0.00003 km/h. It grows rapidly at sea level with several

number of branches. In addition, bamboo materials can easily be found there

because it adapt with our temperature range from 28°C to 50°C. Moreover, the

usage of bamboo materials which are affordable and easily to be maintain can be

categorised as Sustainable Architecture. The usage of bamboo materials are wide

because it can be used for floor, roof and wall system in construction. Nevertheless,

bamboo construction provides natural ventilation and thermal comfort to the users in

the space. There is also a disadvantage by using bamboo materials which is the

colour will fade after several years. It could be fixed with regular maintenance by

labour worker and user. In conclusion, bamboo is a definite choice of materials in

design construction as it enhance the sustainability design for various field.

References

1. Design quote by Shigeru Ban

Author, Gaiam. A Quote by Shigeru Ban on architecture and creative principle

Retrieved from http://blog.gaiam.com/quotes/topics/architecture

2. Benefits of Bamboo

Author, Farrelly,D. (1984) Book of Bamboo

Retrieved on 22 October 2014

3. Bamboo Properties

Author, Farrelly,D. (1984) Bamboo as a Building Material

Retrieved on 22 October 2014 from

file://D:\www.bambus\new\eng\reports\buildingmaterial\buildingmaterial.html

4. Bamboo Growth Graph Analysis

Author, nil. (nil) Bamboo Growth Graph

Retrieved on 20 October 2014 from http://www.gopixpic.com/219/growth-

chartpng/http:%7C%7Csoccerfitacademy*files*wordpress*com%7C2009%7C09%7Cgrowth-

chart*png/

5. Bamboo Growth Graph Analysis

Understanding of Bamboo Design by Kengo Kuma

Author, Vantage Shanghai. Master of Understatement.

Retrieved from http://www.vantageshanghai.com/en/highlife/perspectives/2013/10/kengo-

kuma-master-of-understatement.html

6. Study of Sustainable Architecture

Author, Wiiliam,E.D.(2011) Sustainabe Design Ecology,Architecture and Planning

Retrieved on 20 October 2014