As a building material, guadua bamboo stands out because of its structural properties, the strength/weight ratio, is one of them.
Guadua bamboo fibers are up to 1 cm long, while those of wood are approximately 2mm long. With a tensile strength up to 40 kN/cm2, Guadua easily surpasses timber fibers (approximately 5 kN/cm2), or even steel (36 kN/cm2).
Its capacity to absorb energy and the higher bending strength makes this bamboo an ideal material for seismic-resistant constructions.
Bamboo possesses only a small proportion of lignin. Its main component is silicic acid, which gives the shoot its durability and hardness. The tissues composition of guadua is 40% fiber, 51% parenchyma and 9% conductive tissue, which explains its astonishing strength and flexibility.
For the past 10 years, bamboo experts have been experimenting with the multiple uses of bamboo and are still discovering new applications, bamboo fiber for the garment and automotive industries, flooring boards, veneers as thin as 0.2 mm, are just some of many examples. Bamboo panels, especially floors, are more and more in demand all over the world, because they have the texture of marble and the elegance of wood; in addition, they are strong, durable, smooth, clean, non-sliding and resistant to humidity.
Timarai Bamboo Hotel and Resort in Costa Rica by Ing. Alejandro Restrepo
For all these reasons guadua bamboo is on the point of a breakthrough, and may soon be described as the new high technology material of the future that replaces to use of conventional woods in construction.

The incorrect use of bamboo in marginal construction has contributed to the misconception that bamboo is inferior to wood. Nothing can be further from the truth. Bamboo is a building material that offers superior earthquake protection compared to wood or cement block. Public awareness about the superior structural, mechanical and environmental qualities of Guadua Bamboo is growing daily especially among visionary leaders of the "green revolution."

What Happens When Bamboo is Not Handled Correctly:
Bamboo House Playa Sombrero by Alejandro Restrepo
Many credits have to be given to the collaboration of Colombian and Ecuadorian architects and engineers, who are responsible for most of the new Guadua bamboo constructions. Their effort to simplify and universalize this material as an element in construction will contribute to a better and correct use of Guadua.
Watch this video with Colombian Bamboo Architect: Simon Velez
Because of the global demand for non-polluting, sustainable, and earthquake resistant building materials, the interest in bamboo construction among western innovative architects is now growing rapidly.
Guadua bamboo not only offers optimal solutions for communities with smaller resources, it is also a popular resource and study subject for professionals and institutions of a high economic level which translated itself in high scale residential houses, schools, offices, hotels, etc.
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According to the author, this bamboo house was assembled in 3 days. The 30' diameter Pavilion was built in Vietnam, shipped to Maui, and reassembled in ...
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