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Bamboo’s Architectural Brilliance

March 3, 2022

VIETNAMESE ARCHITECTURE FIRM VTN ARCHITECTS SHOWS OFF THE CAPABILITIES OF BAMBOO IN THE CASAMIA COMMUNITY HOUSE, COMPLETED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

Vo Trong Nghia (VTN) Architects is a renowned Vietnamese architecture firm known for their excellent use of bamboo in their designs. Bamboo has always been a familiar material in Vietnamese culture, so this firm really draws inspiration from that tradition. The Casamia Community House is another one of those projects that showcase their expertise in bamboo architecture. This project was led by principal architects Vo Trong Nghia, Nguyen Tat Dat. The design team consists of Nguyen Cong Hoan, Ha Nguyen Nhan, Nguyen Hai Dan.

Located in Cam Thanh village in Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, this 1,600 square meter house was inspired by the nipa palms of the region. You can see this inspiration through the typical vault structure of the building. This community house is located at the end of a river and gets a lot of wind. It’s a great scenic spot but the architecture itself definitely takes the cake.

Bamboo is used generously and masterfully for this property. Bamboo structures have many advantages – the many layers of woven bamboo elements make them efficient for acoustic absorption, thus allowing plenty of social interaction inside the building. The thatch roof also helps in absorbing acoustics. This hybrid bamboo structure consists of 22 arch frames of columns and trusses combined with bracing for added stability. This nearly 9m tall structure is placed on a concrete plinth and is just a majestic sight to take in.

The inside of the building is even more glorious. It’s a very tall and wide open space that reminds you of how small you are in the bigger scheme of things. Taking in all the textures and structures, you really get a sense of the work that goes into designing and mastering the art of bamboo architecture. It’s a beautiful shape but it’s also structurally sound as it provides resistance towards horizontal forces, which helps to protect the building from storms. The thatch roof once again proves to be a very practical solution as the layer of wire netting helps to protect the interior of the building from external natural forces while still maintaining a natural look and feel. The upper level has a comes with a balcony that overlooks the pool below and the wider river. Lots of greenery adds to the natural feeling of this space.

This bamboo building is an example of how to use natural materials to create durable and beautiful structures that can last for decades and even centuries. This is very representative of VTN Architects’ design ethos. They have reclaimed bamboo to become something that is artistic and beautiful, elevating traditional bamboo craftsmanship onto a broader and higher playing field. The Casamia community house certainly makes for an inspiring, refreshing project.

For more information please visit vtnarchitects.net