manasaram architects: bamboo symphony

‘bamboo symphony’ by manasaram architects, bangalore, india image © krishanu chaterjee

recently completed ‘bamboo symphony’ by bangalore based manasaram architects has been shortlisted for the world architecture festival award 2011 in both the mixed use office and small office categories. an open air interior space is stepped into the rugged terrain in a spiraling configuration. reminiscent of a billowing fabric, the canopy wraps around the harvesting pond directing the shell roof’s storm runoff into the water feature.

overall exterior image © world architecture festival

the foundation and curving retaining wall are composed of mud blocks created from the site’s immediate materials. a precast concrete roof covers a lattice grid made of hollow bamboo culms supported on bamboo beams and columns. concrete was also reinforced with the plant’s fibers to reduce the construction’s total weight. other recycled elements include fly ash, wood, scrap metal, stone, and other debris for aggregate.

(left) southwest corner (right) reception images © world architecture festival

main circulation image © krishanu chaterjee

principal’s cabin image © krishanu chaterjee

towards lobby image © krishanu chaterjee

board room image © krishanu chaterjee

board room from north image © krishanu chaterjee

from studio towards rainwater harvesting pond image © krishanu chaterjee

circulation wrapping lotus pond image © krishanu chaterjee

studio image © krishanu chaterjee

southeast image © krishanu chaterjee

southwest at dusk image © krishanu chaterjee

view from southeast at duck image © krishanu chaterjee

view from northwest at dusk image © krishanu chaterjee

entry kiosk and reception image © krishanu chaterjee

floor plan / level 0 image courtesy of manasaram architects

elevation image courtesy of manasaram architects

elevation image courtesy of manasaram architects

elevation image courtesy of manasaram architects

elevation image courtesy of manasaram architects

exploded axon image courtesy of manasaram architects

project info:

name of project: bamboo symphony location: bangalore, india built -up area: 210.00 m2 completion: december 2010