Looking for architect who builds with bamboo

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  • #176384

    Hello all, I’ve posted before seeking ideas for architects to build on our jungle lot in Manuel Antonio. I’ve been researching and finding alot of interesting sites on building a home from bamboo.
    There seems to be alot of articles that mention Costa Rica, but I have not foung a source for any actual designers or builders in Costa Rica yet. I am very interested in building using sustainable natural materials. Does anyone know of any designers that may be available?
    Any help will be great, thanks. Mark

    #176385
    *Lotus
    Member

    There is a builder in Playa Hermosa/Jaco that builds with Bamboo, I do not have there number or other contact info. They are located just off Calle Hermosa in Playa Hermosa and have a big sign and a house they have built. Maybe through a google search, if I get the info I’ll post it.

    #176386
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    Interesting . . . Have the articles you’ve read actually referred to full-scale homes constructed of bamboo, or are they mostly on a theoretical level? It seems like designing for bamboo construction would be difficult from at least two perspectives.

    First, I wonder how you’d hope to meet the earthquake-resistance requirements of the building code. That would be a consideration for any actual architect to wrestle with.

    Second, my guess (and it’s only that) is that building-quality bamboo is not something that the local building materials suppliers would stock or have access to. So you wonder just who you’ll find who is qualified to build with it, if you can find a source.

    Having so said, let me add that we had bamboo floors in our house in North Carolina and we loved them.

    #176387
    *Lotus
    Member

    Maybe this site can lead you to builders:

    http://www.bamboocostarica.com/index.asp

    This looks interesting

    http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=529&page=2

    Heres the one!!!

    http://www.vegetablesteel.com/

    Edited on May 07, 2006 16:11

    Edited on May 07, 2006 16:14

    Edited on May 07, 2006 16:15

    #176388
    kungfumasta
    Member

    Pranaspakeywest, there is one person that comes to mind when I think of Bamboo in Costa Rica, is a gentleman last name Vindas, he was the head of the bamboo program until it was discarded by the government, and has Japanese training, you know how they are down there with their bamboo. Now, he might be difficult to locate for I´ve lost contact with his family some ten years ago, but if you are still looking I´m sure there´s a way to find him, and I will be glad to help, after all Costa Rica is a really small place.

    #176389

    Mark here, Pranaspakeywest, thanks so much for the info.
    kungfumasta, thanks, it would be great to find (mr?)Vindas. Sounds like he has the perfect backround. I’ll start looking for him, via the web, and ask some of my contacts In Costa Rica to look too.
    Lotus, thanks so much. I went onto the Vegetable Steel site,they seem to have it all together. I e-mailed them and will see where things go.
    Thanks again, Mark.

    #176390
    kungfumasta
    Member

    Pranaspakeywest, I have a pretty good lead on Mr.Vindas, plus another architect who actually produces bamboo.

    #176391
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    This posted in the wrong place

    Posted May 09,2006 7:44 PM muesquere
    Regarding use of sustainable materials in buildings. I noticed an ad from an outfit called Source Tropical listed in the Tico Times. Apparently they are from Hawaii but now working in Costa Rica. I have no knowledge of their work but they have an interesting website: http://www.sourcetropical.com

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