Architecture

Breezy bamboo sports hall keeps competitors cool in the tropics

Breezy bamboo sports hall keeps competitors cool in the tropics
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School entered use this year
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School entered use this year
View 19 Images
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School entered use this year
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The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School entered use this year
A model of the Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School
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A model of the Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School
Students gather in the Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School
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Students gather in the Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School
The design for the Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School is inspired by the lotus flower
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The design for the Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School is inspired by the lotus flower
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School from above
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The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School from above
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in use
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The  Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in use
While bamboo has its drawbacks as a construction material, it does have its strengths, too
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While bamboo has its drawbacks as a construction material, it does have its strengths, too
The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation
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The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation
Aerial view of the Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School
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Aerial view of the Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School
While bamboo has its drawbacks as a construction material, it does have its strengths, too
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While bamboo has its drawbacks as a construction material, it does have its strengths, too
The space inside the Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School is 15 meters (50 ft) across and high
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The space inside the Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School is 15 meters (50 ft) across and high
Raised balconies line the Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School so that parents and spectators can watch on as events unfold
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Raised balconies line the Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School so that parents and spectators can watch on as events unfold
Aerial view of the Panyaden International School
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Aerial view of the Panyaden International School
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School uses bamboo as its only structural material
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The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School uses bamboo as its only structural material
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School uses bamboo as its only structural material
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The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School uses bamboo as its only structural material
The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation
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The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in Thailand
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The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in Thailand
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in Thailand
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The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in Thailand
The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation
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The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation
View gallery - 19 images

While plenty overlook it as a construction material due to its vulnerability to moisture and insects, there are a growing number of designers and architects that see huge potential in bamboo. Some impressive examples can be found in the Asian tropics, including the latest handiwork of Chiangmai Life Architects which has used the sustainable and cheap material to craft a school sports hall in the mountains of Thailand.

While bamboo has its drawbacks as a construction material, it does have its strengths, too. It is tougher to pull apart than steel, resistant to earthquakes, has great flexibility and grows incredibly quickly. It can also be harvested without killing the plant, which means that it regenerates a lot faster than wood.

The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation
The Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation

These benefits are not lost on the team at Chiangmai Life Architects, who have been busy using bamboo to build villas, offices, homes and schools in and around the Thai city of Chiang mai. For its latest undertaking, the firm was tasked with building a 300-capacity sports and assembly hall for the Panyaden International School that integrated with its other bamboo buildings and the surrounding hilly landscape.

The result is a magnificent bamboo structure, whose design is inspired by the lotus flower and aims to combat the hot and wet climate with open, natural ventilation. The space itself is 15 meters (50 ft) across and high. Compared to traditional construction techniques, the team says its carbon footprint is reduced by 90 percent.

The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in Thailand
The Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School in Thailand

The space is intended to be used for full-sized basketball, volleyball and badminton games, and incorporates three smaller volleyball and badminton courts for practice. It also features a stage that can be lifted automatically for school assemblies, while balconies line the court so that parents and spectators can look on as events unfold.

The structure entered use earlier this year. Be sure to click through to the Bamboo Sports Hall gallery to see this impressive example of sustainable architecture from all angles.

Source: Chiangmai Life Architects

View gallery - 19 images
3 comments
3 comments
McDesign
That is really, really beautiful.
deac3
This title is so good. Its one of the best I've seen here honestly. Alliteration but not too much, and it kind of just rolls off the tongue. Thank you.
Nik
That REALLY has a 'wow' factor. Fantastic!