this sports hall for a school in thailand utilizes prefabricated bamboo trusses to span more than 17 meters without steel reinforcements or connections. commissioned by the panyaden international school, an international and bilingual institution located in the country’s chiang mai province, the project was designed by chiangmai life architects (CLA), a firm who specializes in bamboo and earth architecture. the building is expected to last for at least 50 years.
name: bamboo sports hall for panyaden international school
location: hang dong district, chiang mai province, thailand
architect: chiangmai life architects (CLA)
built area: 782 sqm / 8,417 sqf
completed: 2017
photography: markus roselieb (CLA) and alberto cosi
lead architects: markus roselieb, tosapon sittiwong
engineers: phuong nguyen, esteban morales montoya
client: panyaden international school
budget: USD 300,000
carbon footprint: zero
manufacturers/products
chiangmai life construction: borax/boric acid treated bamboo
yang ma sports tech co., ltd: EPDM/SBR indoor sports floor
PSC commercial co., ltd.: cree multipurpose LED lights
CLA’s design is based on the lotus flower, a symbol of both thailand and buddhist teachings. the design team, led by markus roselieb and tosapon sittiwong, was asked to construct a large hall able to accommodate 300 students while blending with its natural surroundings. the brief also called for modern sports facilities and stated that only bamboo could be used to maintain the school’s low carbon footprint.
covering a total area of 782 square meters (8,417 sqf), the completed structure hosts basketball and futsal, and can also accommodate volleyball and badminton courts. storage facilities are positioned behind a stage that can be lifted automatically, while elevated balconies provide space for parents and other visitors to watch the hall’s various events. natural ventilation and insulation ensure that the space remains cool throughout the year, while the exposed bamboo offers an aesthetically pleasing structural presence.
from designboom