Material Craft: Bamboo, Stone & Upcycled Elements
We believe that sustainable spaces start by listening to the earth. From complex bamboo roof geometries to repurposing stone found on your site, we transform raw, natural elements into functional, eco-conscious architecture.
The completed bamboo roof of a yoga hall, seen from below. The intricate spiral weave is not just beautiful but also structurally sound, creating a breathtaking canopy with a central oculus that lets in natural light.
The interior of the completed yoga hall, showing how the bamboo roof structure meets the mud-plastered walls. This combination of earth and bamboo creates a space that feels organic, calming, and deeply connected to nature.
A scaled maquette of the spiral bamboo roof. I created this model to study the complex joinery and geometry, a process that honors the hands-on, craft-based approach of my inspiration, architect Revathi Kamath.
A section drawing of the yoga hall, illustrating how the bamboo roof structure allows for a wide, open-span interior. The design lets light filter through the bamboo, creating a serene, dappled effect perfect for a meditative space.
In the 'Aangan' house, we used natural stone recovered directly from the site's excavation to build this feature wall along the staircase. This approach minimizes waste and transport costs, and grounds the building in its specific location.
The floor at the base of the staircase is filled with local river gravel and indoor plants. This indoor landscaping, combined with the stone wall and timber stairs, creates a rich tapestry of natural textures.
This drawing details a facade system designed with upcycled timber. The wood was salvaged from an old bungalow on the site and repurposed, preserving the material's history and character while reducing the need for new resources.
The front elevation drawing for the circular yoga hall. It shows the use of Bhilwara stone for the slab and coping, demonstrating how local stone can be integrated into the foundation and plinth of a building.
An elevation drawing showing the exposed bamboo roof structure of the yoga hall. The design proudly displays the craftsmanship of the bamboo construction, making it a key architectural feature.
Another angle of the bamboo roof maquette. This hands-on modeling is crucial for understanding how natural, non-uniform materials like bamboo can be used in precise and complex structures.
About Material Craft: Bamboo, Stone & Upcycled Elements
When incorporating raw materials like bamboo or site-excavated stone, we insist on integrating them into your structural blueprints from day one. Unlike conventional methods, these natural elements require early precision planning for seismic safety and load-bearing, particularly when using our proprietary glue-free joinery systems.
When we talk about material craft, we are evaluating the potential of your specific landscape. We do not select materials for aesthetic reasons alone; we choose them because they perform well in our local climate and reduce the overall carbon footprint of your home.
Bamboo as Structural Art
Often perceived as merely rustic, we utilize bamboo for high-strength, wide-span structural elements. Our bamboo roof designs, inspired by the seismic-responsive Assam type houses, are engineered for resilience. We build scale maquettes to test complex geometries and joinery before a single bamboo culm is cut, ensuring the structure is as durable as it is striking.
Stone and Site Honesty
We advocate for using what you have. If your site requires excavation, that extracted stone becomes your feature wall or plinth. This approach minimizes transport costs and waste, grounding your building in the specific geology of your land.
Upcycled Timber and Glue-Free Joinery
We salvage wood from dismantled structures, turning waste into facade screens or staircase elements. It is not just about recycling; it is about preserving the history and character of the material. Furthermore, our core research focuses on glue-free timber joinery. By relying on mechanical connections rather than toxic adhesives, we ensure healthier indoor air quality and create buildings that are easier to repair or disassemble over time.
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