Bamboo Skyscraper is a vertically structured high-rise building that is designed to be sustainable. The construction is inspired by the natural concept of bamboo culms in tropical forests. Designed by CRG Architects in Singapore, it is shortlisted as a finalist in the Future Projects category of the 2015 World Architecture Festival (WAF).
Among other things, the Skyscraper is an amorphic tower, encircling the existing subway line. It has zero mean curvature and is covered with shading elements of bamboo. This creates air space for insulation, natural ventilation and water management. A bamboo dia-grid covers the peripheral served spaces, and the building will be covered with EFTE film. EFTE is a high-melting-point thermoplastic that is highly corrosion-resistant and provides excellent electrical properties. Unlike glass, it can be used in temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius.
The Bamboo Skyscraper project was also exhibited at the Westminster University in London, as part of the London Festival of Architecture. The jury included NYU Associate Professor Mitchell Joachim and Piotr Kuczia from Germany. During the competition, the designers studied the shapes and properties of bamboo and found innovative ways of integrating them into the design of the building.
The Skyscraper is composed of two structural pieces: a bamboo CELLS backbone and a steel skeleton. Each is a structural element that can be easily replaced. These two components are tied together by horizontal rings. They can be positioned and stacked in different ways, providing different functions for the different levels of the building.
For the facade, the designers will use EFTE film, which is durable in temperature and climatic conditions, and has excellent chemical and electrical properties. Using bamboo in the design of the skyscraper also enhances its visual presentation. Moreover, bamboo has great potential for structural use.
The Architect's Village Bamboo Skyscraper is another example of a modern high-rise sustainable design. Designed by CRG Architects, it explores the material and technology of bamboo in high-rise construction. By incorporating bamboo into the design, the architects hope to explore its potential as a structural material and as a means of connecting the complex functions of a vertical city.
The project also incorporates green roofs and photovoltaic panels among trees for energy production. Rainwater will be collected and re-used in public spaces. Likewise, biomass from green roofs will provide fertilizer and fuel for combustion. In addition, the building is completely earthquake-proof.
Bamboo can be reshaped into interesting forms, and it can grow up to 20 times stronger than wood. As a result, the tower is more stable than a metal structure. Additionally, bamboo has a much higher torque than steel. Despite its sustainability, the bamboo skyscraper may not be able to reach a height of 200 meters.
Nonetheless, a bamboo skyscraper does have great potential to be an architectural landmark. The combination of the organic and social nature of Singapore with the environmental characteristics of bamboo provides a solid foundation for this unique building.
As the building is based on Singapore's Marina Bay and its social and physical features, the Bamboo Skyscraper is also a reflection of the city's uniqueness and the way people live. In addition to the office and hotel/residential spaces, the Bamboo Skyscraper is also an ideal location for a wide range of recreational activities.
