Bamboo, a plant found deep in secondary forests, has immense potential to revolutionise future construction methods. Although technically a type of grass, bamboo has been used for centuries to build houses because of its strength.
Furthermore, bamboo is a highly sustainable material as it grows abundantly and helps absorb more carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen at a higher rate than traditional forests, making it environmentally beneficial.
Today, more architects recognise its aesthetic and practical benefits as a building material. Many have even gained fame from incorporating it into their designs. One architect actively exploring the use of bamboo as a construction material is Lucas Loo, the founder and executive director of Sead Industries.
Like many others, Loo was initially sceptical about bamboo's reputation as a building material. He believed it was primarily a low-cost timber alternative that didn't last long and deteriorated quickly. However, his perspective changed once he researched bamboo and discovered its many uses.
"At some point, I decided to give bamboo a try, and I was really impressed by just how versatile it is. It is one of the most sustainable construction materials available today. It has exceptional tensile strength, which surpasses that of certain steel, and it can withstand extreme weather conditions," he says.
Peninsular Malaysia alone has around 400,000 hectares of naturally grown bamboo in forests. A mature clump of bamboo stands between 50 and 100 feet tall and can grow as much as a metre in a day. "There's nothing else like bamboo out there. There are no structural materials in the forest that we can harvest to increase its carbon sequestration rate. The more you work with it, the more you understand its amazing strengths and weaknesses," says Loo.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Tatler Malaysia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Tatler Malaysia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Waves of Wonder
Chaumet's Ondes & Merveilles high jewellery collection invents a unique language of the sea, capturing the colours and joy of life within and around the expansive depths
Bright, Light, Bella
Bella Hadid's star shines brighter as the new face of Chopard's iconic Ice Cube collection
Beauty Playbook
We tapped the British make-up extraordinaire Pat McGrath to talk all things beauty as she takes us through her early beginnings, creative process, make-up tips and more
The Chloé Woman, Reborn
As we head into fall-winter 2024, let's unpack one of the most anticipated collections of the season-Chemena Kamali's homecoming collection for Chloé
To the Mun and Back
Korean actress Mun Ka-young opens up about her dream destinations and her non-negotiable in-flight skincare essentials
One Step at Time
We speak to Edgardo Osorio, founder of luxury footwear brand Aquazzura, on his vision of comfort and glamour, from weddings to world stages
Seams Like Art
Eleen Tan, a fashion illustrator and art lecturer, talks about finding success and fulfilment in the fast-paced fashion industry without sewing a single stitch
POWERFUL LITTLE PERFORMER
In both her wardrobe choices and acting roles, Eyka Farhana demonstrates remarkable range
HOT DAME!
Meet the chic 89-year-old great-grandmother whose story of family and romantic reunion is as awe-inspiring as her timeless elegance
Digital Transformation
Newly appointed managing director of Microsoft Malaysia Laurence Si brings 30 years of experience to the role