Dissertation: Outline

Hypothesis: Bamboo is a sustainable building material that shapes the future of architecture in Malaysia

Chapter 1: Bamboo, a National Asset

All these potentials cannot be harnessed if bamboo isn’t accepted into architecture. And to be accepted into architecture, the public needs to be convinced, by none other than the three vital concerns – cost, safety and aesthetic.

Chapter 2: Nourishing an Architectural Identity

Malaysia’s architecture are based on Western concepts, an issue
Buildings should be a reflection of our rich and diverse content
Critical regionalism – take environmental context into consideration, solves identity affairs
Several measures to handle the climate, one is to employ a tropical-weather friendly building material – bamboo
However using bamboo alone doesn’t solve everything, needs to be accompanied by tropical architecture features like high ceiling and big openings
As mentioned, a fundamental aspect to consider is aesthetic. The public needs persuasion
When one speaks of bamboo architecture, it’s almost natural to conjure the image of bamboo in its natural cylindrical state, and traditional houses (symbol of poverty)
True potential of bamboo is not utilised, case study to show bamboo capable of classy contemporary designs:
Forest Pavilion, Taiwan; Flying Bamboo, Vietnam
Bamboo’s flexible and light weight nature give architects space to explore creativity and break free from conventional western designs, a way to develop distinctive architecture identity

Chapter 3: Promoting Green Alternatives

Growing environmental awareness in Asia pushed Malaysia to go Green
Shows statistics and greening efforts by other Asia countries
Bamboo as an alternative building material (less concrete), a substitute of wood which will reduce deforestation
Bamboo processing releases no emission, it grows and regenerates fast (harvesting doesn’t kill it), possibly the most sustainable material
Another aspect which deserves consideration is cost. Nevertheless, bamboo can cover that with ease
Bamboo was always perceived as “wood of the poor”, therefore affordability was never a hindrance
On top of that, when bamboo is produced locally without the need of shipping or preservative, the cost recedes as much as 3 times
A cooler building material keeps the building chilly, saves on air conditioning
Case study: Green School, Bali – Sustainable building which educates children about sustainable living. No walls, make use of daylight and natural breeze.
After completion of Green School, green houses are built around, people are bringing in green industry. Became a community and a green model. Set forth an example to sustainable design.

Chapter 4: Seeing is Believing

People could only imagine salad bowls, basket and chopticks when talking about bamboo, oversee the potential as construction material
Bamboo is hard and dense like teak, but it takes more than words to convince
Case study: Simon Velez’s Zeri Pavilion – Built to obtain German’s building permit, undergo series of scientific test to prove strength and durability. Results exceeded the standards required in Germany. The structure required heavy equipment including large wrecking balls to demolish, still stands today and is expected to last for quite some time
By explaining the technical aspects (green features, compressive strength etc), the people are probably unamazed. A more impactful means is needed to interest the laymen – experiencing themselves
Architects are responsible in educating public by setting living bamboo examples to stir imagination and make it believable as an alternative
Case study: In 1920, the perception of bamboo as sign of poverty was altered as something exotic and interesting when Europeans traveled to islands of Indonesia and were housed in bamboo resorts. Living examples of bamboo resort – Bumbu Indah, Ubud of Indonesia

Dissertation