Plant & fibre
Bamboo
A grass that grows structural sections in three to five years: hollow, jointed, and strong for its weight in both tension and compression.
How it behaves
Light frames ride out earthquakes; woven bamboo walls breathe in humid heat. Untreated it fears beetles and damp, so detailing keeps it dry and treated (traditionally smoked or soaked).
Where it belongs
Northeast India and Assam · Southeast Asia · China and Japan · Latin America
In a modern project
Engineered and treated bamboo for frames and floors; woven bamboo (ikra-style) panels in timber frames for seismic zones.