Bali
Borneo
Borneo
Bali
Bali
Borneo
Following the success of last year’s course, we invite you to join us once again. This year, hosted at the Ngapuh Homestead on the riverbanks, your days will begin with stunning views and the sounds of the jungle. You’ll live, build and design alongside the Bidayuh community, sharing meals and learning directly while bringing your own ideas to life through collaboration. Together we’ll blend traditional wisdom with modular design innovation and explore the art of traditional bridge making.
Whether you’re an architect, designer, maker or simply curious, this is a rare chance to reconnect with the essence of building and cultural exchange in one of Borneo’s most vibrant jungle landscapes.
A once in a lifetime opportunity to live, learn and build in the Borneo rainforest.
Welcome gathering in Kuching town for an afternoon meet up. A chance to group and get to know each other before the journey begins.
Participants will make their way to the homestead. On the journey, you may wish to stop at a traditional Bidayuh longhouse to experience local culture. From Bengoh Dam, catch the 3PM boat that will take you upriver to Ngapuh Homestead. In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner and a introduction to the days ahead.
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 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 build 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 local waterfalls and enjoy time in nature. A chance to rest and recharge.
The pieces come together on site. We begin by installing the petal modules and then add bamboo weaving.
Complete the installation and finishes. Take group photographs.
After heartfelt goodbyes to the homestead community, participants will begin their return journey by boat. Along the way, you may choose to stop at the Orangutan Wildlife Centre.
If you believe in what we’re building, please consider making a donation. Your support helps the community to preserves traditional craft, through shared learning and cultural exchange.
The petal module is like a poem in the making, many small pieces tied together as bundles, which are then curved to form loops and then interlocked to create strong petal module. 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.
I put away my computer and began designing with nature as my guide. That is why the petal module embodies the unique qualities of bamboo, its flexibility, strength and lightweight nature. My design journey started with a miniature model, allowing the forms to take shape organically as I worked by hand. Through testing and mock ups, full scale petal modules emerged that we formed into a self supporting dome that resembled a lotus flower. I was in Bali at the time, and the local word for lotus is teratai, so we called it Teratai Architecture, marking the beginning of a series of annual live build workshops.
The petal module offers limitless possibilities. It has been arranged into a dome, a retreat pavilion, a longhouse, a shade sculpture, a gateway, and a bridge. Each build demonstrates the versatility and adaptability of bamboo, revealing its potential as an affordable, sustainable resource. The module is a testament to hands on material exploration, teamwork and creativity.
STATUS Built
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 Built
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 Built
TYPE Design and Build Course
This model making workshop and live build, with Oxford Brookes University, focused on designing and constructing a community gateway structure using the reciprocal bamboo petal module.
The project aims to create a entrance for a rural village in the mountains of Jatiluwih, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Participants engage in a hands on learning, guided through the 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 Model Making Course
We focused on designing a sculptural bridge using the reciprocal petal module, a lightweight elegant structure ideal for bridges and for creating welcoming gateway a symbol of connection.
This was a unique opportunity to step into the rainforest and explore sustainable architecture. Through model making and design development, participants gained practical experience and a deeper understanding of traditional design techniques.