Bamboo

Photos by Siddhartha Joshi

Exploring Bamboo as Alternative Construction Material: A Field Visit to Kudal, Maharashtra

The following was provided by our strategic partner in India, the Centre for Responsible Business.

“All that you see is gold!”, said the proud farmer flaunting his 100-acre bamboo farm. Fun facts – he has not watered his farm since the 1990s, he exercises his bargaining power and one bamboo stick gives him a return of about Rs 100!

In November 2024, the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and the Design for Freedom (DFF) team members set out on a field visit to Kudal in Maharashtra to understand the potential use of bamboo as alternative construction material. CRB and DFF have partnered to establish an accelerator hub in India to enhance the application of ethical decarbonisation, circularity and social well-being principles in the construction and built environment. The purpose of the visit in Kudal was to understand the bamboo value chain and its potential implications on decarbonisation, circularity and social wellbeing as an alternative construction material.

Below are the key insights from the visit:

  1. Bamboo & Kudal

Bamboo grows abundantly in Kudal owing to the region’s tropical climate. It is relatively easy to grow. It requires minimal maintenance and can be harvested every 3-5 years, making it a sustainable choice for both farmers and architects. Farmers in Kudal have been cultivating bamboo for generations and understand its ecological benefits and potential as a cash crop.

Kudal is also home to the leading non-profit, Native KONBAC Bamboo Products Pvt Ltd. KONBAC has played an instrumental role in bringing forth the use of bamboo in construction, furniture and crafts. Sanjeev Karpe (Managing Director, KONBAC) has attracted global attention through his projects in Maldives (2016) and Qatar (2022). In Maldives, he designed the famous Waldorf Astoria project where luxury ‘floating dinner pods’ were created from bamboo. The project threw light on the tensile strength and resilience of bamboo. In Qatar, he used bamboo to design the ceilings of the villas of football players at the FIFA Cup.

(l-r) Neha Tomar, Business & Human RightsCentre for Responsible Business (CRB), Shreehari, and Elaine Mitchel-Hill Grace Farms.
  • Bamboo Procurement & Processing

Bamboo is usually procured from farm gate by traders and local companies like KONBAC. Typically, the traders collect stock and transport to Mumbai, while KONBAC brings the stock to its local facilities for processing. The government interference/ regulation is minimal and the farmers seem to enjoy their bargaining rights. Some of the farmers said they prefer to sell to KONBAC and local companies as they offered competitive prices.

In terms of processing, curing bamboo is important to enhance its strength and durability. Given its cylindrical shape, it has to be used creatively to build structures. However, if cured extensively, it may be sliced and piled to create blocks, which become easier to use. The extensive curing though comprises the environmentally friendly factor.

  • Bamboo as a Building Material

One of the most exciting aspects of the field visit was observing the use of bamboo in modern architecture. Bamboo’s adaptability and strength make it an ideal material for both traditional and contemporary buildings. Further, the natural finish of bamboo gives interiors a warm, earthy feel while remaining environmentally friendly. Given its strength, the bamboo specie grown in the North East is more widely used for construction. The specie local to Kudal (Stocksii) is mostly used for structural framing, scaffolding, ceilings, wall panels and design.

  • Sustainability & the Future

Bamboo is an incredibly sustainable material. It is low maintenance, has varied usage and is durable and resilient. Compared to energy dependent materials like cement and steel, it is environmentally friendly. The local knowledge on the cultivating process coupled with efficient regulatory frameworks and creative architectural techniques can amplify the usage of bamboo as an alternative material that supports decarbonisation, circularity and social well-being.

Further resources:

Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future