Join Elora Hardy at IBUKU to Witness the Future of Bamboo Architecture

Set along the terraced banks of the Ayung River valley, the open-sided timber and thatch ateliers operate within a humid tropical microclimate conditioned entirely by ambient river valley drafts and deep eave overhangs. The structural research focuses on giant Dendrocalamus asper (petung) and Gigantochloa apus poles, harvested selectively during low-sap lunar phases from river ravines across central Bali. To counteract subterranean termite attack and fungal degradation, the culms undergo pressurized immersion in aqueous borax-boric acid mineral salt baths, altering the internal hemicellulose composition and stabilizing the longitudinal silica fibers for permanent structural deployment without synthetic resin binders.

Access within the active modeling workshops and private residences of the Sibang Gede compound is arranged under direct studio dispensation, isolated from design-tourism walking groups. Accompanied by a senior parametric timber architect and a master Balinese bamboo carver, the field inspection examines hyperbolic paraboloid roof geometry, split-bamboo bundle lidi arches, and load-bearing dowel joins pinned with high-tensile bamboo nails. The session moves from hand-carved structural maquettes directly into multi-tier dwellings like Sharma Springs, tracking foundation footings anchored on river stones, natural deflection tolerances under high wind sheer, and the hygroscopic behavior of curved cane surfaces—a silent, rigorous examination of climax monocot mechanics, structural biomimicry, and vernacular civil engineering.