Bali
Borneo
Borneo
Bali
Bali
Borneo
PRIOR MEET UP 21 AUG
This is not your typical course. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live, learn and build deep in the Borneo rainforest.
About the Build Course
Following the success of last year’s design and build, we invite you to join us once again for a hands on building experience.
This year, we’ll be deep in the heart of Borneo, collaborating with the Bidayuh community, to blend traditional wisdom with modular design innovation. Together, we’ll explore the art of traditional bridge making.
Hosted at the Ngapuh Homestead site on the lush riverbanks, your days will begin with the sounds of the jungle. You’ll live, build and design alongside local artisans, sharing meals and learning directly from their craft, while bringing your own design ideas to life through collaboration.
Whether you’re an architect, designer, maker or simply curious, this is a chance to reconnect with the essence of building and cultural exchange in one of Borneo’s most vibrant jungle landscapes.
Perfect for
Architecture and Art Students.
Makers, Builders and Creatives.
Anyone passionate about sustainable living and hands on learning.
No previous building experience required, just a willingness to dive in, learn and create something beautiful.
All meals provided at the jungle homestead, offering home cooked, locally sourced food.
All materials and tools provided for the workshop.
Daily guidance and cultural exchange with the local Bidayuh community, learning traditional building techniques and creating a collaborative bridge design.
Accommodation, comfortable rooms at the jungle lodge, each with an ensuite toilet and separate shower.
Excursions, a visit to a traditional Bidayuh longhouse, a local waterfall day trip, and the chance to see orangutans on the return journey.
Transfers, round trip transport from Kuching town center to the Bidayuh jungle campus via bus and boat.
To take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity and get to know a small group, living together, making friends for life. Waking up in the heart of the jungle to the sounds of nature, building more than just a bridge, you’ll build connections and communty.
Places are limited and will fill quickly! Secure your spot while Super Early Bird pricing is still available.
Best deal for the first few.
Last chance for discounted tickets.
Welcome, we’ll gather in Kuching town for an afternoon meet up and welcome. A chance to group and get to know each other before the journey begins.
Our adventure will start with a mini bus ride to a traditional Bidayuh longhouse, we’ll continue by bus to the dam, followed by a boat ride into the jungle. Once we arrive at the homestead, we’ll settle in with a welcome dinner and a relaxed night walk.
Time to get hands on. We’ll begin the day by learning how to harvest bamboo. Back at site the bridge build officially begins. We’ll work on model making and design development, for what we’ll bring to life in the days ahead.
While the structural bridge build is going on lead by the Bidayuh community, model making and design development continues. Sketches, evolve into sculptures as we test ideas, refine details and work together to shape the design.
As the bridge takes shape, we begin crafting modules at full scale. Hands on building begins. We’ll start by splitting the bamboo.
We’ll continue the building by bundling and layer the bamboo splits, shaping pieces into petals. Then the modules come to life as we start looping the bamboo petals together.
Explore a local waterfalls and enjoy time in nature. A chance to rest, recharge and take it all in.
The pieces come together on site. We begin by installing the petal modules to the bridge and then add bamboo weaving to the railing.
Complete the installation and finishes. Take group photographs.
Heartfelt goodbyes to the community, then we will embark on our return boat ride and mini bus journey, including a visit to the orangutan wildlife centre, before our drop off in Kuching town centre.
The petal module is like a poem in the making, many small pieces tied together as bundles, then curved to form loops and interlocked to create strong petals. Each piece becomes part of something greater than itself and the possibilities are infinite.
The petal module is a metaphor, for how many small actions, can create something larger than oneself. The build process stands as a testament to teamwork and the beauty of many minds and hands coming together to build, not just a structure, but also a community and lifelong connections.
We believe in designing with nature as our guide. Our self build modular structure that embodies these values, designed to showcase the unique properties of bamboo, its flexibility and lightweight nature.
This journey began with miniature model making; the design of the module evolved organically while working with bamboo by hand. Through testing and making mock ups, a kit of parts that could be assembled by a small team was created.
The first full scale module assembly was formed into a dome, like a lotus flower, called 'teratai' in Indonesian, marking the birth of Teratai Design Studio and setting the foundation for a series of annual live build workshops.
The module offers limitless possibilities; it has been arranged into a dome, a river retreat pavilion, a longhouse, a shade sculpture, and a gateway. Each build showcases bamboo’s versatility and flexibility, demonstrating its potential as an affordable and adaptable resource. The module is a testament to hands on material exploration, teamwork, and creativity.
STATUS Complete
TYPE Design and Build Course
The vision was clear, to harness the flexible lightweight nature of bamboo and translate it into an affordable, self supporting structure that embodies sustainability, affordability and beauty. The domes innovative design allows for easy assembly akin to flat packed furniture, promoting adaptability for future installations.
STATUS Complete
TYPE Design and Build Course
At the point where three rivers meet, we embarked on a self build project to create a a traditional hut, using locally sourced natural materials. This project embodies our commitment to sustainable building practices and community collaboration.
Learning from the petal model, we adapted the design to utilise rattan, a resource abundantly available. The structure features a bamboo deck and a leaf roof, offering shade and protection while seamlessly blending with the surrounding environment.
STATUS Concept
TYPE Model Making Course
Our longhouse workshop space at the Bidayuh community campus in the rainforest is designed in collaboration with the Bidayuh community to preserve and blend authentic Bidayuh architectural elements with contemporary construction techniques. This creates a dynamic space for creativity and cultural exchange. With a flexible layout, the longhouse serves as an ideal venue for educational programs and community gatherings.
STATUS Concept
TYPE Model Making Course
In Nuanu Creative City, along the river walk, a Corbra shade sculpture emerges as a beautiful symbol of balance, reflection and interconnectedness with nature. Sculptural symbolism of the serpent and the lotus flower add layers creating a rich tapestry of symbolism. Within the realm of Cobra, we invite you to reflect and release, embracing both the darkness and light that coexist in this serene setting. A focal point where perspectives converge.
STATUS Complete
TYPE Design and Build Course
This model making workshop and live build, in collaboration with Oxford Brookes University, focuses on designing and constructing a community gateway structure using the reciprocal bamboo Petal module.
The project aims to create a meaningful community entrance for a rural village in the mountains of Jatiluwih, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Participants engage in a hands on learning experience, guided through the entire process from initial model making and design development to on site building.
This initiative fosters sustainable building practices, knowledge exchange and community collaboration, creating a sculptural gateway that integrates harmoniously with the natural and cultural environment.
STATUS Concept
TYPE Design and Build Course
This year’s bdesign and build is focuses on constructing a sculptural bridge using the Petal reciprocal module, a lightweight, elegant structure, to crea ta welcoming symbol of connection.
Whether you’re a student, architect, designer, builder or simply curious, this is a unique opportunity to step into the rainforest and explore sustainable architecture. Through model making, design development and building, participants will gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of community led, traditional design.