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Sustainable Architecture


Climate — Deciding the Shape Before the Finishes
Climate Shapes Architecture Before Design Begins. Climate decides the shape of a building long before a single finish is chosen. In tropical architecture, especially in the Philippines, the sun's path, prevailing winds, rainfall patterns, humidity, and solar heat gain are not secondary design considerations. They are fundamental forces that should influence how a building is positioned, shaped, and experienced. Which walls receive the harshest afternoon sun? Where can natural

Makihara
4 days ago2 min read


Wellness Begins with the Land — Not the Spa.
Most resorts add wellness at the end. A spa is built. A yoga deck is added. The brochure gets rewritten to use the word "wellness" a dozen times. But the building itself never changes — the orientation stays the same, the materials stay the same, the layout stays the same. So, neither does what a guest actually feels when they walk in. We see this pattern across the industry, and we understand why it happens. Wellness sells. It photographs well. It's a fast way to reposition

Makihara
Sep 153 min read


Exploring the Versatility of Glue Laminated Bamboo in Innovative Projects
Bamboo has long been admired for its strength, rapid growth, and natural beauty. In recent years, glue laminated bamboo (Glubam) has emerged as a powerful material in construction and design, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional timber and steel. This engineered bamboo product combines the natural advantages of bamboo with modern manufacturing techniques, creating a versatile material that supports a wide range of architectural and structural applications. This

Makihara
Mar 224 min read


Bamboo Innovations for Disaster-Resilient Shelters and Sustainable Urban Housing Solutions
Project Noah - The floating village, India I Source: ArchDiaries Natural disasters and climate change pose growing challenges to housing worldwide. Traditional building materials often struggle to keep up with the need for rapid, resilient, and eco-friendly shelter solutions. Bamboo, a fast-growing and strong natural resource, is gaining attention for its potential to transform disaster-responsive shelter design and urban housing projects. This post explores how bamboo archit

Makihara
Feb 253 min read


Building with Nature's Steel: Understanding Bamboo's Strength and Flexibility
Bamboo has earned the nickname "nature's steel" for good reason. Its unique combination of strength and flexibility makes it a remarkable material for building. Architects, engineers, designers, and builders are increasingly turning to bamboo architecture and bamboo design and construction to create structures that are not only strong but also sustainable. This post explores what makes bamboo such a powerful building material and how it fits into regenerative design principle

Makihara
Feb 33 min read


From Forest to Foundation: Essential Harvesting and Treatment Techniques
Newly harvested matured bamboo. Photo: Guadua Bamboo Bamboo is taking the world of architecture and construction by storm, thanks to its incredible strength, eco-friendliness, and stunning visual appeal! But did you know that turning bamboo from a lush forest treasure into a rock-solid foundation involves some meticulous steps? Careful harvesting and treatment processes are key to ensuring bamboo’s durability and safety in design and construction projects. Dive into this post

Makihara
Jan 103 min read


Beyond the 'Poor Man's Timber': A History of Bamboo in Architecture
Bamboo, often dubbed the "poor man's timber," has been celebrated for centuries as a remarkable building material! This fast-growing grass boasts a rich history in construction across various cultures and continents. With its incredible strength, flexibility, and sustainability, bamboo has been a crucial resource throughout history. Today, it's making an exciting comeback in the world of architecture, with stunning modern bamboo buildings pushing the boundaries of its traditi

Makihara
Dec 17, 20254 min read
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