When you stay at Lotus Bungalows Candidasa you will notice a couple of the more unique structures at the resort. Our restaurant and oceanfront yoga shala really stand out against the more traditionally Balinese buildings in the resort. So what are they all about? Why have we added these onto the resort instead of opting for a more classic style? Let’s talk about building with bamboo and how it isn’t just a trend but the way forward for sustainable architecture.

Bamboo for Strength

In Asia bamboo has always been used for scaffolding and support in building construction. You may have seen this and wondered if the structure was safe, but we can assure you bamboo is incredibly strong. In fact bamboo’s tensile strength is 28,000/sq inch compared to steel’s 23,000/sq inch. However, bamboo was rarely used as the actual building material until relatively recently.

Even when curved into flowing shapes like the structures at Lotus Bungalows Candidasa, bamboo is as strong as any other building material and will bear the weight of roofing tiles with no problem at all. It can also last over 100 years!

Bamboo for Sustainability

Bamboo has become the hottest building material for sustainability over the past decade and for good reason. First of all it is the fastest growing plant in the world, which makes it one of the most renewable resources on the planet.

As timber becomes scarcer and therefore more expensive, bamboo has become the perfect alternative. It is affordable, fast growing, and can be used in many different forms. Lotus Bungalows chose to enjoy the beauty of the raw material by having it on show in the interior of the roofs but it can also be used within buildings or even as flooring.

The other great thing about bamboo is that it can be grown just about anywhere. In Bali and most of Asia there is already a massive supply of local bamboo so it doesn’t need to be transported long distances to be utilized. However, it can also be planted and grown locally in countries all over the world as it can grow in just about any climate.

Bamboo for Beauty

There is so much that can be done with bamboo that can’t be done with other building materials. Creating curves is simple with bamboo as it is flexible and can be tied easily into position. The restaurant at Lotus Bungalows Candidasa is a testament to how creative you can get with bamboo structures.

In the evenings the lighting accentuates the design of the roof’s interior making it warm and inviting for dinner or a drink.

The oceanfront yoga shala in the resort is also bright and airy yet cozy; the perfect place to relax and enjoy a yoga class or your own practice.

As you can see, there are many reasons to use bamboo as a building material. Here at Lotus Bungalows Candidasa we constantly try to improve our environmental sustainability programs and using bamboo as a building material is just one of the ways we have done this.

You can read more about our sustainability practices on our website. Or ask us more about this subject in the comments box below.