December 16, 2015

Sharma Springs by Ibuku

Bamboo Fantasy

In the Far East, bamboo has been used as a building material for millennia, much praised for its strength, versatility and sustainability. Nevertheless not many people realise that bamboo can be used for construction on a large scale, as this tour-de-force by Indonesian bamboo specialists Ibuku shows.

Sharma Springs is a 6-level, 4-bedroom 750 square metre home designed for the Sharma family as a "jungle fantasy escape". The building is certainly fantastic, starting with the tunnel bridge entrance which leads directly to the main living area on the 4th level. A spiral staircase winds round the central core, providing access to the other levels, including the lookout on the 6th floor with impressive views of the Ayung river valley. Almost everything in this remarkable house, including the furniture, is made of bamboo. The house feels thoroughly contemporary despite the organic ambience, a testament to the unique qualities of bamboo and the mastery of the designers.