On October 7th-8th, 2022, at Pa Sang Na Ngoen Village, Chiang Rai Province, Bamboosaurus Studio participated in an educational activity for the community. This village belongs to the Akha ethnic group and is located near the Thai-Myanmar border. The community is rich in bamboo, hence the name Pa Sang Na Ngoen, meaning ‘Silver Bamboo Forest Village.’
The activity was part of the main project named ‘Yumma Cha’ for the Akha people. The project originated from the idea that bamboo was extensively used in the past for various constructions in the community, such as tables, chairs, and houses. However, with the advent of modern synthetic materials with longer lifespans, traditional bamboo knowledge has gradually faded.
Given the abundant bamboo resources in the community, the project aimed to:
Present knowledge on extending the lifespan of bamboo.
Demonstrate proper bamboo construction methods.
Explore further benefits derived from bamboo.
The project aimed to provide an alternative for the community, encouraging cost savings and minimizing environmental impact by reintroducing bamboo as a valuable material compared to synthetic alternatives.
The entire activity was divided into two parts:
Lecture and Model-Making Activity:
Initial lectures covered fundamental bamboo knowledge.
Participants engaged in a model-making activity to design a 3×3 meter bamboo structure.
The community members, school youth, and volunteer teams were divided into five groups, each presenting unique ideas based on individual perspectives and needs.
Presentation and Discussion:
Each group presented their design concepts, and our team provided feedback and suggestions.
This phase encouraged interaction and idea-sharing among participants.
The close connection between people and natural materials emerged as a crucial aspect of the activity.
Through this workshop, participants gained insights into bamboo’s potential applications, and the event fostered an understanding of
