Bamboo is emerging as a sustainable and versatile material in contemporary architecture. Its rapid growth, sensual design, strength, and renewability make it an ideal choice for eco-conscious design. It can made to scale for large community projects but it can also be used in homes.

Bamboo, often referred to as the “green steel” of the future, is quickly gaining popularity as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. With its fast growth cycle, minimal environmental footprint, and impressive strength, bamboo is emerging as a game-changing material for the construction industry. Not only is it an eco-friendly choice, but its versatility allows it to be used in everything from flooring to scaffolding, and even entire buildings.

As we continue to search for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, bamboo presents an invaluable opportunity to build greener, more sustainable homes and structures.

Here are five firms from around the world that are redefining bamboo architecture, each bringing unique approaches that could set new standards in the field.

1. Ibuku – Bali, Indonesia

Founded by Elora Hardy, from Canada, Ibuku is renowned for its eco-friendly bamboo structures that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Their work includes the Green Village near Ubud, a community of bamboo homes that harmonize with the natural environment. Ibuku’s designs have been featured in Architectural Digest for their innovative use of bamboo in creating sustainable living spaces.​

Pros: Sustainable, aesthetically unique, and deeply connected to local culture.
Cons: High labor intensity and maintenance requirements.​

2. Penda – Beijing, China & Vienna, Austria

Penda is an architecture and design studio that has explored the potential of bamboo in modular construction. Their project “One with Birds” envisioned a hotel made from bamboo tents and towers, inspired by Native American tepees. The firm has also proposed the idea of a bamboo city, aiming to build a sustainable urban environment using bamboo modules.​

Pros: Innovative, scalable, and environmentally friendly.
Cons: Challenges in large-scale implementation and durability in diverse climates.​

3. Kengo Kuma & Associates – Tokyo, Japan

Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has integrated bamboo into urban architecture. His project “Alberni by Kengo Kuma” in Vancouver features a bamboo forest at its base, creating a serene urban oasis. This incorporation of bamboo into a high-rise building exemplifies Kuma’s philosophy of blending nature with architecture.​

Pros: Elegant, culturally resonant, and enhances urban biodiversity.
Cons: Potential challenges in structural integration and long-term maintenance.​

4. Bamboo U – Bali, Indonesia

Like Bill and Athena Steen, who founded the Canelo Project to teach strawbale building in Arizona, Bamboo U is an educational initiative based in Bali that trains architects and builders in bamboo construction techniques. Their workshops and projects, such as the River House at Sayan, demonstrate the potential of bamboo in creating sustainable architecture. Bamboo U’s approach emphasizes hands-on learning and community involvement.​

Pros: Educational, community-focused, and promotes sustainable building practices.
Cons: Limited project scale and potential challenges in widespread adoption.​

5. Chiang Mai Life Architects – Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai Life Architects is a design and construction firm in Thailand specializing in bamboo structures. (Read about our family trip to Chiang Mai here). Their projects range from residential homes to community centers, all emphasizing sustainability and natural aesthetics. The firm utilizes bamboo’s flexibility and strength to create structures that are both functional and environmentally responsible.​

Pros: Locally sourced materials, cost-effective, and adaptable designs.
Cons: Limited recognition outside Southeast Asia and potential scalability issues.​

As Elora Hardy, founder of Ibuku, states, “Bamboo is the material of the future because it speaks to sustainability, affordability, and a new sensual way of thinking about our relationship with nature.”

And it just feels right.

​Doing more research on bamboo? We have you covered:

Why Bamboo is the Eco-Friendly Building Material of the Future

How Bamboo Forests Are Helping to Combat Climate Change

The Sustainable Power of Bamboo: A Solution to Global Problems

The Environmental Impact of Bamboo Plantations: What You Need to Know

Bamboo as a Biodegradable Plastic Alternative: A Game Changer

The post Five Innovative Architecture Firms Building with Bamboo appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Clore Garden of Science at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, is the largest outdoor science park in the world. While it was once a naive and simple, an interactive series of science exhibits for kids has been upgraded since June 2024. The park, inside the world famous Weizmann Institute of Science, and where Einstein once roamed, has undergone significant renovations, introducing several new exhibits that focus on sustainability: such as bamboo treehouses and how to grow food using hydroponics.

It’s a good day outing with kids under 12 and expect to spend a few hours there as the kids can safely explore the interactive exhibits that encourage play and climbing. An affordable cafe offering lunch means you don’t need to pack a lunch but if you do, there are plenty of tables throughout the park for sitting and eating. Do order tickets in advance.

What you can find at the exhibit, updated in June 2024.

Andoor Science Center: A modern two-story facility now houses various interactive labs, including the AI Media Lab, Culinary Lab, and Multidisciplinary Lab, offering hands-on learning experiences in artificial intelligence, food science, and more.

Garoon Family Legacy Square: This outdoor courtyard showcases some of the garden’s most timeless exhibits, reflecting its evolution into a contemporary science museum.

Related: Binishell homes in California offer a sustainable building rebirth after the fires

Amphitheater: Designed as a giant periodic table, this 250-seat amphitheater serves as a venue for educational presentations and events, highlighting the elements that compose our world. Beside the amphi is the old geodesic dome which was once a hydroponic farm. It is now a planetarian-like movie theatre. Large cushions on the floor encourage everyone to come in and spend an hour gazing at the projected stars and movies on the roof of the geodesic dome. You don’t need to tickets to enter.

Movement Exhibit: Engage with interactive installations that demonstrate the mechanics of movement using gravity and water, providing a hands-on understanding of physical principles. The kids were busy trying to pump balls up into the air as though they were in a giant pinball machine.

Light Exhibit: Explore the nature of light through activities focused on vision, perception, and illusions, offering insights into optical phenomena. It wasn’t exactly a TeamLab Borderless experience like in Tokyo, but nonetheless a sweet travel through a tunnel of mirrors.

Earth Exhibit: This area features a sustainable village with bridges, composting systems, and a living treehouse, educating visitors about sustainability and climate change.

Who was Chaim Weizmann?

Chaim Weizmann was the father of modern fermentation. He discovered a fermentation process for harnessing bacteria to produce large quantities of useful chemicals such as biofuel.

Weizmann was called the father of industrial fermentation. The bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum was named the Weizmann organism, giving him a taste of fame long before his Israeli political career. His process of Acetone Butanol Ethanol (ABE) fermentation helped produce explosives for World War I and a team of chemical engineers at UC Berkley worked on perfecting his process for the efficient production of biofuels.

Weizmann’s ABE process was initially used to produce acetone which was used in the World War I explosive cordite. Like Alfred Nobel and Albert Einstein, he might have wondered about the moral implications of inventing something which would be used as a tool of war.

::Clore Garden of Science

Website is in Hebrew

Phone: 08-9378300

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Flooring options play a significant role in the environmental impact of our living spaces. As concerns about climate change and resource depletion grow, consumers are increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives. In this article, we will explore three popular sustainable flooring options: bamboo, carpet, linoleum, rubber, cork or new or upcycled wood, and poured concrete, considering their environmental impact, certifications, and pros and cons.

Is Timber Flooring Sustainable?

Wood is a natural and renewable source of flooring, but its sustainability depends on responsible sourcing and harvesting practices. In the past, a significant portion of timber imports involved illegal logging, contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation. However, recent efforts have been made to address these issues.

Buying Recycled Timber

One of the most sustainable options is using recycled (reclaimed or upcycled) timber boards. These have a lower environmental impact than new plantation hardwood timbers, which can take up to a century to grow. Recycled timber also provides an opportunity to use rare hardwoods that are challenging to find in today’s market. Companies specializing in reclaimed floorboards or those selling boards from demolished buildings are good sources.

Certified Sustainable Timber

Another responsible choice is certified sustainable timber. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a globally recognized accreditation program that ensures timber comes from sustainably managed forests. FSC-certified timber, whether from a plantation or a native forest, indicates adherence to sustainable principles. Additionally, the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) certification is recognized by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme (PEFC).

Ecospecifier’s “Green Tag” and Good Environmental Choice

Ecospecifier’s “Green Tag” is an eco-label for green building materials, rating products based on their total life cycle. Another reliable certification is the Good Environmental Choice label, which indicates a product’s environmental performance from a holistic perspective. These certifications help consumers make informed choices when selecting sustainable flooring options.

Beware of False Claims

While certifications provide a level of assurance, it’s essential to be cautious of false eco-labels or green claims. Some products may have multiple wood layers, with only a fraction certified. Buyers should carefully read certification details and ask for proof from suppliers. Checking lists of certified timber suppliers on the websites of organizations like FSC, AFS, Greenpeace, and Ecospecifier can help ensure credibility.

Which Wooden Timbers Are Sustainable?

Certain types of timber are more sustainable than others. Rubberwood from old rubber trees, FSC-certified or Ecotimber, New Guinea teak, FSC-plantation eucalypt, and bamboo are considered sustainable choices. On the flip side, timbers like Burmese teak, African mahogany, merbau, ramin, and meranti are best avoided due to sustainability concerns.

What Is Bamboo Flooring?

Bamboo flooring has gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to traditional hardwood. Harvesting fast-growing bamboo is believed to have fewer environmental and greenhouse impacts compared to timber. However, some bamboo flooring is manufactured using glue that may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Consumers should research and choose bamboo floorboards with low-emission glues to minimize environmental impact.

Environmental Considerations Around Flooring

Embodied Energy

Embodied energy refers to the energy used in producing a material. Choosing flooring with the least materials helps minimize environmental impact. For hard flooring like timber, avoiding additional carpeting is advised, as carpet production involves significant materials and energy.

Regular Floor Cleaning

The energy spent on cleaning floors is a substantial environmental consideration. Carpets, being high-maintenance surfaces, contribute more to environmental impact than hard floors like bamboo, stone, or concrete. Low-maintenance surfaces are preferable for sustainability. Look for eco-friendly cleaning options.

Durability

The durability of a flooring material influences its long-term environmental impact. Hard floors such as timber, stone, concrete, and tiles tend to last longer than carpets. Longer-lasting materials require fewer resources over time, contributing to sustainability.

Floor Finishes

Even eco-friendly flooring can be compromised by high-embodied energy finishes. Choosing natural-oil hard-finish coatings over potentially toxic polyurethane coatings enhances the sustainability of the overall flooring system.

Toxic Emissions

Certain floor coverings emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can pose health risks. Adequate ventilation is essential, but avoiding materials known for high VOC emissions, such as some carpets, contributes to healthier indoor air quality.

Thermal Mass

Flooring materials with high thermal mass, like stone, tile, concrete, rammed earth, and bricks, contribute to energy efficiency. However, covering these materials with carpet or other finishes diminishes their thermal mass benefits. Consideration should be given to balancing insulation and thermal mass benefits.

Using Carpet Sustainably

For those who prefer carpet, sustainable options include buying second-hand carpets, choosing products made from recycled materials, and minimizing waste through systems like carpet tiles. Additionally, natural fiber carpets like coir, sisal, or seagrass from sustainable sources offer eco-friendly alternatives.

Pros and Cons of Different Sustainable Floor Types

Carpet

Pros:

• Provides warmth and acoustic benefits.
• Some brands contain recycled materials.
• Natural-fiber carpets are non-toxic and sustainable.

Cons:

• Low thermal mass benefits.
• Least durable floor system.
• High energy requirement for cleaning.
• Some synthetic carpets and dyes can be toxic.
• Installation can be high waste, and recycling is sometimes challenging.

Timber

Pros:

• Can be recycled, with recycled timber available.
• Relatively hard-wearing and durable.
• Easy to clean, but use on a little water.
• Low embodied energy.

Cons:

• Sourcing may be unsustainable without proper certification.
• Low thermal mass benefits.
• Some finishes or composite products can be petroleum-based and toxic.
• Fire hazard.

Bamboo

Pros:

• Fast-growing and sustainable.
• Hard-wearing and durable.
• Easy to clean.
• Low embodied energy.

Cons:

• Some bamboo floorboards may have toxic glues.
• Wears out quickly.

Cork floors

Pros:

• Made from renewable materials.
• Low toxicity.
• Fairly durable.
• Easy to clean.
• Low embodied energy.
• Warm on the foot.

Cons:

• Imported to most countries.
• Some contain petroleum-based materials.
• Non-renewable currently as stocks are low in Europe.
• Durability questionability.

Ceramic Tiles

Pros:

• Good thermal mass.
• Low toxicity.
• Easy to clean.
• Highly durable.

Cons:

• Higher embodied energy.
• Local environmental impacts of quarries.
• Greenhouse gas emissions from the kiln.

Polished Stone (Granite, Sandstone, etc.)

Pros:

• Good thermal mass.
• Low toxicity.
• Easy to clean.
• Highly durable.

Cons:

• Higher embodied energy, especially if imported.
• Local environmental impacts of stone quarries.

Polished Concrete poured or in tiles

Pros:

• Good thermal mass.
• Easy to clean.
• Highly durable.

Cons:

• High embodied energy.
• May be finished with a toxic polyurethane sealant.
• Lacks sense of warmth if left grey.
• Cement and concrete has a unique problem.

Vinyl floor

Pros:

• Low maintenance.
• Easy to clean.
• Low cost.
• Good for rental units.

Cons:

• Can contain toxic plasticizers and lead-based stabilizers that off gas.
• Made from petroleum-based materials.
• Not recyclable.

What floor choice is for you?

Sustainable flooring is a critical component of environmentally conscious living. By choosing eco-friendly options, consumers can contribute to a healthier planet. From recycled timber to bamboo and resilient floors, each sustainable flooring type has its advantages and considerations. As global awareness grows, and certifications become more widely recognized, it’s easier for consumers to make informed decisions about sustainable flooring. The global perspective on eco-friendly flooring emphasizes the importance of responsible sourcing, embodied energy, durability, and maintenance considerations.

The post Sustainable Flooring Options Guide appeared first on Green Prophet.

Picture this: you just had a long day of work, you finally come home, get ready for bed, and ultimately knock out. But have you ever thought about what the mattress you sleep on every night is made of?

There is always a more sustainable way of living. Almost every aspect of your life can become more sustainable. Today, I will talk about your mattress and the kinds of impacts they have on the environment.

Mattresses are made from a wide range of materials, including organic ones such as cotton and wool, and synthetic fibers such as polyurethane. Polyurethane, a plastic material often used in furniture, bedding, and carpets, is popular for its flexibility and durability. The issue with the development of mattresses in both organic and synthetic materials is due to fossil fuel use. However, the massive size of mattresses and the extensive need for mattresses generates tons of greenhouse gases, polluting our planet and contributing to climate change.

While the production of mattresses is just one thing, the disposal and decomposition of mattresses are even more polluting. Millions of mattresses are disposed of each year, most going to landfills. According to Canadian Mattress Recycling, a mattress can take decades to decompose in a landfill. Even worse, only 19 percent of mattresses are being recycled. Mattresses are not biodegradable. This is why leaving them in landfills is utterly unsustainable because they are massive and sit in the landfill taking up too much space. The best way of ridding of an old mattress is to bring it to a recycling center or have it picked up by one. Most people don’t realize that most mattresses are recyclable. Other options for disposing of your old mattresses can be by warranty-based recycling, donating, or reselling them.

If you are looking to buy an eco mattress, then keep reading. When looking for an eco mattress, your best options are mattresses made from organic, biodegradable materials. These mattresses are typically 100 percent recyclable, so this is your best bet for disposal. Even if the mattress finds its way into a landfill, it is biodegradable and won’t further pollute landfills. One mattress you can buy from is Birch, their eco mattress is made of wool, cotton, and latex, all of which are biodegradable and from natural sources.

Bamboo

Another option for purchasing eco mattresses is mattresses made from bamboo. Gaining popularity, bamboo mattresses are a great option for producing mattresses because they are renewable and come from the bamboo plant, which is fast growing and doesn’t require excess water or irrigation to grow. Mattress production from bamboo also has a much smaller carbon footprint compared to production from other sources, making it more environmentally friendly. In addition, bamboo is a natural growing plant and is biodegradable and compostable so if it ends up in a landfill, it won’t be there for so long. And don’t be hesitant to its name, bamboo mattresses are comfortable and efficient as they are moisture-wicking to keep you cool all night.

Other Factors

There are a lot of companies out there that now sell eco mattresses, so it’s important to look into the company you want to buy from to ensure the materials they use are organic and natural. Also check to make sure the company you are buying from takes extra strides to commit to being an eco-friendly company through their production methods, transportation, and other factors. Look into buying from a high-quality company, so that your mattress lasts you a while to reduce waste. You should also be sure that the mattress is eco-friendly by being non-toxic to yourself and your home.

The post A sustainable nights sleep appeared first on Green Prophet.

Enter Massoud Hassani and the biodegradable bamboo “minesweeper” featured previously on Green Prophet. An enormously popular wind-powered device modeled after the Afghan designer’s childhood toy, the spherical Mine Kafon has biodegradable bamboo and plastic spikes that detonate landmines rooted out with help from a sophisticated GPS chip embedded in the large ball.

Relatively cheap and easy to reproduce, in theory, one of these giant balls could potentially destroy three or four mines in one jaunt through a land mine field. And if a whole army of them is unleashed, imagine all the play space that will be made available once more to the world’s outdoor enthusiasts.

Exhibited at design shows all over the world and recently acquired by MOMA in New York, Mine Kafon could become a reality with the crowd’s help. Hassani is running a kickstarter campaign that has already raised £64,025 out of its goal of £100,000 to develop a working prototype of the detonator so that it can actually be put to work in the field.

Hassani acknowledges the potential pitfalls of this ambitious project. For starters, it will be necessary to deploy a very sophisticated GPS with a”higher than average” accuracy if the detonator is going to work.

The design team will also need to work with engineers to ensure the Mine Kafon is sufficiently durable to withstand its task while still being modular and cheaply produced since the parts are intended to be blown up!

With supports from as far afield as London, Helskinki and New York, the kickstarter campaign has been enormously successful so far, but it hasn’t crossed the finish line yet.

Funds generated will be used to perfect the Mine Kafon’s engineering, fabrication and transport and to create a small documentary. All kinds of lovely gifts are available, including beautiful minesweeper lamps that resemble the biodegradable discs at the end of the legs.

Land mines are a plague. This is a potential cure. Check out the Kickstarter campaign and lend your support if you feel duly moved.

Map © Landmine Monitor Report

The post Popular Wind-Powered Bamboo Landmine Detonator Needs Support appeared first on Green Prophet.

Reminiscent of the work of fellow Iranian Nader Khalili, who perfected economical earth bag construction, this minimalist dome shelter is made of bamboo, crowned with rice plants and features comfortable bamboo mats that are ideal for guests who stop in for a cup of tea. Not only is this project attractive and sustainable, but its gentle resistance to wind and earthquakes makes it an excellent shelter during emergencies as well.

 Bamboo is one of the most renewable building materials on earth and also one of the most flexible. Only 70 bamboo canes were used to create the frame of this dome, which was inspired by a project that one of Parsa’s students was attempting. First it is necessary to cut the bamboo and then to let it dry for two days so that it will be flexible and soft.

With only three non-professionals working on the project, the dome was constructed in one day near the forest of Katalom. The base is comprised of locally-sourced gas pipes that give the shelter optimum mobility. Finally the whole structure is topped with dry rice plants that expand when wet and therefore prevent rain from permeating the interior while simultaneously allowing plenty of natural ventilation.

This is an organic structure made of and close to the earth; its rapid construction makes it a wonderful solution to emergency housing in a country that is particularly prone to earthquakes. Plus, it’s beautiful, and doesn’t cost a pile of money to realize.

Parsa is an award-winning designer with partners all over the world; although his studio is relatively young, he regularly works with such luminaries as Shigeru Ban Architects and NJP Architects.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0luUlcINY9g&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

Take a look at his YouTube clip above (narrated in Farsi with English subtitles) for a closer look at how easy it is to build a dome home out of bamboo and other natural materials.

:: Inhabitat

More on Iranian Design:
Nader Khalili Built Earth Buildings Fit for Space
Curvy Desert Home Designed by Iranians Mimics the Snail
Israel, Iran Take Top Endangered Species Design Prize

The post Raistudio’s Bamboo Dome Shelter Pops up in Iran appeared first on Green Prophet.

There are more land mines in Afghanistan than there are people, so Massoud Hassani turned a childhood toy into an extraordinary wind-powered bamboo mine sweeper that destroys and tracks them. Made out of bamboo and biodegradable plastic, the rolling Mine Katon’s arms self-destruct when they hit and simultaneously destroy a land mine. Equipped with a GPS chip, this incredible design also maps out which land mines in the country have been wiped out so that local Afghanis know which areas of the country are safe.

Toys into tools that save lives

Massoud Hassani recalls on his personal blog childhood memories of making wind-powered toys and chasing after them in areas of Afghanistan that were pocked with destructive land mines.

Many of his friends were killed or seriously injured when they accidentally encountered one of humanity’s most destructive inventions.

Twenty years later, as a student of Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Hassani scaled up his childhood toy by twenty times and equipped it with tools that literally save lives.

Sniffing out land mines

Although Afghanistan only has 10 million land mines on record, Hassani says there are many more – up to 30 million in a country with a total population of 26 million.

It is uncertain whether government agencies in the country have commissioned the ingenious minesweeper, but Hassani will be available to talk about this and other designs at the upcoming Design Indaba in Cape Town that starts on February 29, 2012.

According to Design Indaba, the talented designer from Afghanistan will also discuss his latest project, “a series of cooking products called “Silk Cooking” inspired by Afghan traditions.”

More Green Designs on Green Prophet:

Hanging Balcony Gardens are a Beautiful Solution for the Urban Farmer

Folded Paper Jewellery That Makes Origami Look Chic

Israeli Artist Transforms Rockets into Roses

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Bamboo is universally praised as a sustainable material, but when used in its rawest form is it comfortable?

Beauty has been said to increase sustainability, but what about ease of use?  We’ve seen a few sustainable bench designs out there already, from Yoav Avinoam’s sawdust bench to Green Lullaby’s cardboard work bench – but never a bench made out of the quickly renewable and sustainable material heralded by environmentalists the world over, bamboo.  Israeli designer Gal Ben-Arav’s ‘Bamboo Bench’, pictured above, is a new eco-friendly twist on this furniture staple.

But is it truly comfortable (and therefore sustainable)?

Consisting of a simple cast aluminum base holding together a bunch of raw, unprocessed bamboo reeds, the design of Ben-Arav’s bench is low on resources and invested energy.  The bench by Ben-Arav (whose work was featured recently during Jerusalem Design Week) is fairly simple but the visual effect is nevertheless impressive.

Instead of fashioning the bamboo to suit the shape envisioned by the designer, Ben-Arav’s design molds itself to the natural form of the material.  (This also means that those who sit on the bench will feel every natural bristle and bump of the reeds, but that’s a different story.)

The bench comes in two versions, either with or without a back.  In both designs the visual emphasis is on the color and natural patterning of the bamboo, but the backless version comes even closer to nature.

When sitting on Ben-Arav’s backless bamboo bench, one could even imagine sitting in the middle of a bunch of bamboo reeds.

:: designboom

Read more about bamboo design:
Bamboo Redux: Israeli Designers (And Daniel Fintzi) Do it. Why Don’t You?
Are Muslim Women Ready for Bamboo Hijab and Chadors?
Build Next Year’s Sukkah With Hybrid Bamboo (aka Solar Schach)

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Is taking down this year’s sukkah already getting you thinking about next year’s?

Have the end of the Jewish holidays, return to work, and impending cold weather got you down?  Fantasizing about next year’s warm evenings spent inside an outdoor sukkah (or temporary booth) might help fight that feeling.  This year’s much-publicized Sukkah City design competition in New York’s Union Square might have inspired you to go above and beyond the call of sukkah duty next year and bring some serious design quality to your booth.

In the spirit of the temporary, outdoor sukkah bringing you into closer contact with nature, how about making it super sustainable as well?

“Solar Schach” (the panels of which you can see in the photo above) is a specially engineered sukkah covering made out of the multi-purpose eco material, bamboo.  The particular bamboo hybrid used to make the Solar Schach, Bamboo2, contains photovoltaic cells that enable it to produce electricity.

So since the Solar Schach is both a plant material (and therefore kosher to be used as a sukkah covering) and in perfect position to collect solar power since it is positioned on the booth’s roof – it is sure to have your neighbors talking.  Supposedly, Solar Schach is strong enough to produce enough energy to power the nighttime lighting of a 10×10 sukkah AND have enough to power cell phones and other small gadgets.

: Jewventions

Read more about funky, sustainable sukkahs::
Which Earthy, Temporary Home Would You Choose? Sukkah City, NYC 2010
And Ye Shall Live in Sustainable Booths
Sue Tourkin Komet Integrates Recycling (and a whole lot of other stuff) Into her Sukkah

The post Build Next Year’s Sukkah With Hybrid Bamboo (aka Solar Schach) appeared first on Green Prophet.

Presently a number of fashion designers and manufacturers are becoming interested in this plant –– bamboo –– that can grow in many types of climates and needs little or no attention. And some Muslim women’s clothing sites like ArtiZara already think bamboo-based head coverings are a good idea.

Green Prophet thinks it is an interesting plant for farmers in the region to cultivate since it can easily be grown in places like the Hula Valley in Israel, marshy areas of southern Iraq, along the Nile river in Egypt and Sudan, and other places as well.

All the positive environmental aspects of the plant itself will obviously be beneficial, and even clothing like the chador, khimar, jilbab or kameez garments Muslim women wear. See an example here from ArtiZara.

And since bamboo is so easy to grow, it can be profitable for poorer farmers, especially those in Egypt and Iraq. Read our latest post on the environmental destruction in Iraq’s marshes here.

Bamboo is actually a type of grass, coming from the biological family poaceae. Although usually found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, it is also found in certain parts of the USA, and as far south as Chile.

Some types of bamboo grow as fast as a meter per day in tropical areas. An extremely environmental friendly plant (they absorb about 5 times the amount of carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas, and produces about 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees), bamboo has been used for centuries for making a number items, ranging from baskets and other utility items, curtains, sleeping mats, paper (used in China for centuries) and even for food.

It’s only been more recently that bamboo fiber and cellulose has become some much in demand, that a number of clothing manufacturers are giving it increased attention.

Some of these include Linda Loudermilk and Kate O’Connor, who use Bamboo fabric as a replacement for silk, rayon and other fabrics.

After processing, bamboo fabric is found to be as soft and “flowing” as silk and cashmere, and is obviously preferable to many people as no animals or animal products are used in its manufacture.

While the plant itself is an ecological wonder, there are some elements in the processing of various parts of the bamboo plant that should be noted, however.

There are basically two ways to process the plant: mechanically or chemically.

Mechanical processing involves crushing the bamboo stalks and using natural enzymes to break down the fiber into a pliable substance from which the fibers can be combed out and spun into yarn.

Chemical processing is much more questionable, from an environmental standpoint; as it involves using a number of chemicals and solvents such as sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda) and carbon disulfide, both of which can cause serious health problems.

Taking this into overall consideration, using bamboo fiber over petroleum based ones, fibers made from animal products, or even cotton (which requires a lot of water, fertilizers and human attention) using bamboo for making clothing and other fabrics will become more prominent as newer, more eco-friendly manufacturing technologies are utilized; such as the “lyocell process” which uses N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide to dissolve the bamboo cellulose into a viscose solution.

Known as “week alkaloids” these chemicals are more environmentally friendly than those such as sodium hydroxide.

Besides having an amazing softness, processed bamboo fabrics have a number of environmental and health benefits. They are 100% biodegradable, and are hypo-allergenic, making them wonderful for people allergic to wool and other animal fibers. The bamboo plant itself does not need chemical fertilizers; and by using photosynthesis, helps reduce carbon dioxide levels.

The plant’s extensive root system also helps hold soil together, preventing soil erosion.

Sounds like a win-win-win-win situation, despite any drawbacks from chemical processing. So who’s going to start up the first big plantation in the Middle East for clothing and fair trade jobs?

More on bamboo:
Israeli Designers (And Daniel Fintzi) Do it. Why Don’t You?
Israeli Sabras Do Bamboo Playfully in Kids Toys

Designing Computers With Bamboo

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