bamboo establishes itself as the main material

In Thailand, an international school was built entirely of bamboo. Bamboo is not a tree, but is just as strong as wood. Markus Roselieb, architect, fell in love with this plant for its particularly ecological properties. “The production of steel and cement releases millions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Bamboo absorbs CO2 as it grows”, he explains. The lifespan of bamboo buildings is 50 to 60 years minimum. This material, resistant to insects, is also treated against fires.

Proof of its strength, bamboo is used to build huge scaffolding in Asian cities. Thailand is the main producer of this plant which can grow a meter in just 24 hours. The material is now at the service of high-end real estate projects. “I don’t want to live in a concrete house anymore. Here, we don’t have the feeling of living in a box that completely separates us from the natural environment”, says Decha Tiengkate, owner of a bamboo house. In local restaurants, bamboo is also cooking.