Archetype - Bamboo Wall House

The Bamboo Wall House was designed as a parallel to many of the qualities represented in the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall has never been an isolated object, yet embodies the idea that it is remote and untouchable. The Bamboo Wall house replicated this concept into its design harnessing the material bamboo instead of brick and stone to exemplify this characteristic. Bamboo was woven into the house and was chosen for its weakness yet flexibility. It acts as a permeable screen providing a drama due to its contrast of light and shadow (Kateigaho, 2004). The bamboo also allows wind to pass through and reflects the historical connection between Asian culture creating a meditative ambiance.

Interior

Exterior

Preliminary Sketch

Floor Plan

All images sources from Kengo Kuma & Associates

Kengo Kuma & Associates. 2010. Great (Bamboo) Wall. http://www.kkaa.co.jp/E/main.htm (accessed March 4, 2010).

References

Inhabitat. 2006. Great (Bamboo) Wall. http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/02/26/great-bamboo-wall/ (accessed March 4, 2010).

Kateigaho. 2004. Kengo Kuma. http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/architect-kuma.html (accessed March 4, 2010).

Materialious. 2009. Kengo Kuma Designs the Great (Bamboo) Wall House of China. http://www.materialicious.com/2009/10/kengo-kuma-designs-the-great-bamboo-wall-house-in-china.html (accessed March 4, 2010).