The Wing Pavilion:A Participatory Action Approach to Bamboo Architectural Research in Chinese Universities

Abstract

The application of bamboo construction techniques in Chinese architecture remains behind its potential. Chinese universities began conducting participatory action research on bamboo as a building material. Students from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology designed the wing pavilion: a temporary bamboo structure built in six days inside the Nan Sha Bird Eco-Park, Guangzhou. The process combined handcraft and digital techniques within five steps: pre-design, formulation, successive answers, project, and conclusion of the theory. Eight bamboo arches interconnected to create a six-meter span roof. Each arch was pre-fabricated with two layers of split bamboo and one slender bamboo culm as reinforcement. The cartesian plane technique was utilised to overcome the indeterminacy of bamboo. Details could be fuller, and the roof lacked enough strength. More important than a perfect result, the principles of bamboo architecture transferred to students, and a range of scales can replicate the methodology. The technical solution reflected a Western functionality with an Asian essence. Many of the now underprivileged people will benefit from it since bamboo is abundant in China.

Keywords: Bamboo architecture, participatory action research, green building, architectural education.

DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/10-5-03

Publication date:June 30^th 2019