by Mr. SATHYA PRAKASH VARANASHI, Architect,
Eco-friendly designs
Would we
believe in the statement ‘Some of the newest ideas are based on the oldest
practices’? On the face of it we may not, but if we look at the way bamboo is
making a grand return, most of us may agree.
As we are searching for new ideas of design and
solutions for eco-friendly living, we realise the past holds as many
inspirations as the future can tempt us with.
The long lengths, jointed body, light weight,
easy workability and such others made it an excellent material for high walls
and roofs. With a surface skin that can be easily peeled, bamboo provided
varied products like woven baskets and floor mats.
With a tensile strength beyond that of steel, it
found popularity as supports for buildings and pavilions. At the other extreme
end, bamboo shoots provided unparalleled options in food too!
People have climbed on a bamboo ladder ever since
they lived in settled societies, especially in areas where bamboo grows. In the
basic form, one would cut off the small branches leaving only a small part of
it, such that they work as steps at staggered levels.
This way, people could climb on a single bamboo
pole, if it stays stable against a support and carry it around with ease. Then
came the design with two poles interconnected with the steps, so one could get
better hand grips and stability for the ladder itself.
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| SATHYA PRAKASH VARANASHI, Architect, Eco-friendly designs. |
However, bamboo did not go beyond this stage in a
big way, where wooden and later concrete staircases dominated. But let us
imagine a bamboo stairs just the way steel framed stair works - we get two
inclined members on both the sides, they support the horizontal base, bamboo
board is fitted to the base and the sides secured.
There could be a riser member or we may drop it
to get an open riser design. If a sturdier tread is desirable, the bamboo board
can be placed on a thicker ply base. The railing can rise from the inclined
side supports.
Disadvantage..!
The major disadvantage of doing a bamboo
staircase lies in handling the material, demanding both practice and skill.
While nails can be used, they tend to go loose after some time; hence nuts and
bolts perform better.
To that end, proper holes have to be drilled and
nuts properly tightened. However, traditionally no metals were used; instead
poles were secured into each other through cuts and ropes made from bamboo
itself. Considering that bamboo comes in varying sizes, this method appears to
be more effective.
If regions like Assam can live on bamboo
staircases, Bangalore too can live on them. They combine beauty with
functionality; cost efficiency with longevity; and provide visual tactile feel
of a very different kind.
Doing a complete building in bamboo may be
difficult in non-bamboo regions, but integrating it within the parts and
elements of the structure is definitely doable.
About the author..
The writer is an architect, working for
eco-friendly designs and can be contacted atvaranashi@gmail.com.
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