Sheam Sundar Khadka - Department of Civil & Geomatics Engineering, Kathmandu University
Rashmi Manandhar - Habitat for Humanity Nepal

Bamboo house has been a popular building material from tradition in Nepal. It is easily available, has low construction cost compare with other mode of construction like concrete, brick masonry and easy to construct. Bamboo is a naturally growing plant and a renewable resource; it can mature in 2.5 to 3 years as compared to timber which takes 20 to 25 years to mature. It is cheap, fast growing material with excellent statistics according to the mechanical properties. To promote, its vision of providing a decent shelter to all, Habitat for Humanity Nepal has developed a housing system using bamboo, where bamboo is the main structural element. The outer frame of building is made by bamboo over which mud or cement can be rendered to give finishing. The bamboo house has little weight compared to other type of construction for example concrete structures, thus making it less vulnerable from earthquake point of view. Security against rain, warmth and humidity are quite adequate. Thus an affordable yet strong house can be constructed which is environment friendly as well.

Bamboo, Bamboo building, Sustainability, Environmental friendly