Bamboo envelope in Chinese dwelling toward ecological sustainability

Abstract

China has extensive experience in using bamboo as an environmentally friendly and economical material to construct a building envelope. In the past, construction components like wattle and daub wall were used in the south and southwest regions. Recently, however, modern building materials have replaced traditional and natural materials. The present article investigates and analyzes traditional and modern methods of using bamboo as a building envelope through case studies and fieldwork in south and southwest China. It is intended to shed light on valuable experience for Thais who could use bamboo material to build their houses.