Architects: Tran Ba Tiep
Area: 700 m²
Year: 2016
Manufacturers: Bambubuild, Xingfa Aluminium
City: Kim Bôi District
Country: Vietnam
Kim Boi Bamboo Restaurant by Tran Ba Tiep showcases Vietnamese architecture and bamboo craftsmanship in an ecotourism resort in northern Vietnam. Inspired by the conical hat, the 700 m², 15-meter-high structure repurposes an abandoned twelve-sided concrete base. It features 12 bamboo frames anchored to the floor and 24 frames on concrete beams, creating open views. Built with lashings, bamboo bolts, and metal fittings, the structure is stable and easy to assemble. Using iron bamboo (tầm vông), the 32-meter-wide restaurant includes a lightweight leaf roof and a skylight, demonstrating bamboo’s strength while enhancing the interior’s unique character.
The project serves as the centerpiece of an ecotourism resort set within the charming natural landscape of northern Vietnam. The investor places significant emphasis on preserving the region’s environmental landscape and natural ecology, with the goal of creating a resort that reflects the characteristics and essence of traditional Vietnamese villages.
The restaurant’s distinctive architecture is inspired by the traditional conical hat, a symbol closely associated with the elegance and beauty of Vietnamese women. The design embodies simplicity while maintaining a sense of understated luxury.
The project, originally designed with a twelve-sided polygonal concrete structure, had been left unfinished and abandoned for many years due to an economic crisis. To utilize the existing concrete columns and beams, the architects developed a roof-supporting structure composed of 12 bamboo frames resting on the floor and 24 additional frames leaning on the concrete beams. This structural approach allows for unobstructed views of the surrounding romantic landscape. The conical hat-shaped restaurant spans over 700 m² and rises to a height of 15 meters.
The bamboo components are connected using lashings and bamboo bolts to form frames on the floor, which are then erected using a crane. These bamboo frames are secured to the foundation and concrete beams with metal pipes and iron pins, ensuring structural stability. This construction method is straightforward and can be executed by low-skilled workers using basic tools.
The project utilizes iron bamboo, also known locally as “tầm vông,” which possesses ideal mechanical properties such as high pressure resistance and flexibility for bending. The roof is constructed from natural leaves, which are lightweight and easy to shape. At the center of the roof, a skylight with a diameter of 1.56 meters is incorporated to provide natural light.
The widest span between two columns in the structure is 24.6 meters, while the conical hat-shaped restaurant reaches a maximum diameter of 32 meters. The project demonstrates the impressive spanning capability of bamboo, proving that it can rival iron and steel despite requiring less advanced construction techniques. Moreover, the bamboo load-bearing structure serves as a decorative feature, enhancing the uniqueness of the interior space.
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Project Location
Address: Kim Bôi District, Hòa Bình Province, Vietnam
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
