about
about
Building
Bamboo
Our interest lies in finding potential and opportunities in construction with small-diameter bamboo that are abundant and cheap but are usually neglected in construction practices due to their limited structural capacity, because of their small diameter. ​
​
Advisor: Toshiko Mori
Group: Htet Hliang
2025 Fall
There are more than 1,700 bamboo species that exist in the world, yet only 90 species have documented records for being used in construction. The best bamboo with a larger diameter belongs to the Guadua, Dendrocalmus, and Bambusa genera, often growing up to 15-30cm in diameter. ​
​
Our interest lies in finding potential and opportunities inconstruction with small-diameter bamboo that are abundant andcheap but are usually neglected in construction practices due toits limited structural capacity because of its small diameter. ​
What is a small-diameter bamboo?​
​
There is no exact definition for small-diameter bamboo. We are categorizing small-
diameter bamboo as bamboo that has a diameter less than 6 inches (15cm). ​
Their current use includes scaffolding, roof purlins, and infill for wattle-and-daub
construction, as garden stakes, and as non-structural woven mats and spits for baskets and furniture. ​
Why study small-diameter bamboo?​
​
-
Abundant and affordable​
-
Fast growing / shorter wait time​
-
Lightweight​
-
Inherently Flexible​
-
Easier to assemble and transport
PHRAGMITE AUSTRALIS
Salt marshes and wetland habitats constitute a significant portion of the landscape in the northeastern regions of the United States. In Massachusetts alone, there are approximately 21,000 hectares of salt marsh, encompassing both private and public lands along the coastal areas.
​
Wetlands and salt marshes are biodiversity hotspots, home to a variety of flora and fauna. One prominent species is Phragmites australis, also known as the common reed. Due to its invasive nature and resilience, phragmites have thrived in these ecosystems for centuries. They outcompete native species and smother much of the local biodiversity in the wetland habitat. Additionally, its hardiness enables it to invade urban areas, commonly spotted off of roadways.
​
Despite its invasive characteristics, phragmites play essential ecological roles through its ability to mitigate rising sea levels, strengthen the soil and habitats of certain native species, and filter toxic runoff from urban environments. Thus, phragmites are instrumental in maintaining the delicate equilibrium of the wetland ecosystem.
In the U.S. alone, an estimation of 12 million tons of furnitures are thrown away each year. While most of the disposed furnitures are less than fifteen years old, 80% of them goes to the landfill, showcasing a significant increase of concern for landfill waste and increase amount of carbon emission.
​
The initiative seeks to address the growing issue of fast furniture waste while promoting the health of wetlands where diverse species coexist in balance. Recognizing the current incentives that encourage the destruction of phragmites, the goal is to establish new motivations for managing these plants responsibly. This approach involves both fostering their regrowth and utilizing them as part of an innovative solution to a complex waste stream. Additionally, it presents an opportunity to develop a localized system for furniture production, significantly reducing the environmental impact of shipping fast furniture across the globe.
“Reed-y Made” features reusable joinery units that can be used to create simple custom furniture designs. Reeds are tied with modular bonds which form a standardized bundle, allowing further assembly.
.png)
.png)
.png)
