The potential Of Bamboo As A Material For Construction In Malaysia

The aim of this study is to highlight the potential of Malaysian architects to use
bamboo as an alternative to common modern construction materials. In order to do
this, the objectives of the study are; to determine how bamboo is being used in
formal architecture in Malaysia, to investigate the current state of the formal Bamboo
architecture industry in Malaysia and 3. To ascertain the views of Malaysian
architects towards bamboo as a building material. A qualitative research
methodology was used to attain these objectives, in which; case studies of completed
bamboo architectural structures were looked at, Malaysian architects with completed
bamboo projects were interviewed and a survey of Malaysian architects was
conducted.
The case studies revealed that bamboo is currently used for the four main
components of a building, namely; floors, walls, columns and roofs. From the
interviews, it was surmised that the Malaysian bamboo architecture industry is still in
its infancy, although it is starting to grow slowly. The survey results found a
statistically significant, positive correlation between the perception of using bamboo
and wood for design, but statistically insignificant correlation between constructing
building components with wood against bamboo, except for flooring. The survey
also found that what attracts a Malaysian architect most to bamboo, is its aesthetic
qualities.
There is a lack of local labour to build bamboo structures, despite bamboo suitable
for construction being readily available throughout the country, hence it was
concluded that the potential for bamboo as a construction material is untapped in
Malaysia