Workshops in algorithmic design and full-scale construction to develop bamboo use in the built environment
Agenda
The AA-ITB BambooLab is a programme held jointly between the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) in London, UK, and the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), in Bandung, Indonesia. The goal is to teach a unique design process for bamboo using computational design tools in an attempt to achieve a greater alignment between digital architectural design tools and materials with natural variability such as bamboo. In researching a greater synthesis between these we look to coach participants to develop research portfolios which can advocate for sustainable architecture utilising bamboo as a catalyst for ecological regeneration and a resilient, sustainable built environment.
Curriculum
Material
Software
Programme heads
Dr John Naylor
John is a UK based architect and researcher. He studied architecture at the Architectural Association in London, graduating in 2013. He won the 2013 Fosters Prize for Sustainable Infrastructure for his thesis project which focussed on bamboo construction in Haiti to develop reforestation. This led to the establishment of the AA’s bamboo Visiting School in Haiti which he now co-leads as the AA-ITB BambooLab global programme. In 2022 he was named one of the RIBA Rising Stars for this work.
In practice for over 10 years, John has worked at Grimshaw and dRMM, London, MAD, Beijing, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design on complex cultural, residential and infrastructure projects in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Haiti, such as the Qingdao Eden Project.
In 2024 he gained his PhD in Engineering from Newcastle University with his research focussed on algorithmic thinking and digital tools, to support design professionals in early-stage design decisions for full-culm bamboo durability.
Dr.-Ing Andry Widyowijatnoko
Architect, Lecturer, and Researcher at the Building Technology Research Group, School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia.
He started working with bamboo in 1999 in developing plastered bamboo construction for low-cost housing. After studying bamboo architecture in Colombia, he changed his approach of promoting bamboo by designing a high-end building to increase its value. One of his achievements in design was award-winning Great Hall OBI, an oval building with a span of 20m to 30m, entirely made of bamboo. He gained his doctoral degree from the Chair of Structures and Structural Design, Faculty of Architecture, RWTH Aachen, Germany in 2012, with dissertation ‘Traditional and Innovative Joints in Bamboo Construction’ resulting lashing based bamboo connections with high tensile strength, which its strength can be customized.
He is now focusing on the advanced application of bamboo such as tensegrity structure, reciprocal frame, tensile structure as well as space structure with new design approach such as parametric design. In promoting new ways of constructing bamboos, he conducted so many lectures and hands-on workshop all over the world.
