The D. Z. Architects and Associates team used bamboo as the main building material to build the first long-span bamboo structure building in Taiwan. Not only is this building ventilated and insulated, but the materials it is made of can be recycled back into the natural ecosystem.
In order to solve the problem of high carbon emissions from building materials, using local materials, the D. Z. Architects and Associates team built Taiwan’s first long-span bamboo structure building at Chang Jung Christian University. The columns and beams near the ground are RC structures, and above the RC ring beams are trusses made of two types of bamboo, tortoiseshell bamboo and Makino bamboo.
Using bamboo that can be recycled back into the natural ecosystem as building material
The biggest advantage of using bamboo as a building material is its rapid growth. Four-year-old bamboo can meet the structural strength requirements. In order to extend the service life of the bamboo structure, the bamboo materials of CJCU Hall were processed using high-temperature drying technology. By reducing the moisture content of bamboo, the sugars inside the bamboo can be taken away, greatly reducing the chance of bamboo being eaten by insects, and extending the service life of bamboo structures to 30-50 years.
Ventilation and heat insulation design
The large area of the roof absorbing sunlight is the main reason for the air conditioning load. For the CJCU Hall, a light-colored metal roof with high reflectivity was adopted, which can improve the roof’s ability to block solar radiation. On top of the bamboo, light steel structures or waterproof plywood and other thin materials were used, and 12 cm thick insulation boards were designed for filling to maximize the thermal resistance of the roof.
In addition, the building was designed to be surrounded by 3-meter-high eaves, which prevent sunlight from directly reaching the glass and indoors during the hottest times of the day. Thanks to the roof monitor, the structure creates a natural upward flow of air to achieve the effect of natural ventilation.
Benefits
- Using bamboo can significantly reduce the carbon emissions from building materials.
- The energy consumption of air conditioning is minimized due to its ventilation and heat insulation design.