Thai studio create bold bamboo sports hall for Chiang Mai school
Thailand-based architecture and engineering practice Chiangmai Life Construction (CLC) have developed a net zero sports hall made entirely from bamboo, earth and stone.
Panyaden International School in the city of Chiang Mai required a larger assembly space and an indoor sports facility protecting students from the elements in both the wet and dry seasons. CLC had previously designed the school’s other buildings, using rammed earth building methods and layered bamboo roofs, and were commissioned to create the new 780sq m (8,400sq ft) space.
The school bases its core teachings on Buddhist educational principles, and as such the lotus flower – an important symbol in the religion – inspired the structure's form.
The brief also called for an environmentally mindful building with a low carbon footprint, and as such CLC used all natural materials, creating bamboo trusses. These were lifted into place and span more than 15m (49ft) without any steel reinforcements.
“Two engineers were used to carefully calculate the loads, tensions and shear forces," said a CLC statement. "We designed the structure according to 21st century engineering practices, with the huge bamboo arches creating a space that is large and cosy at the same time. Ventilation is provided through openings between the three-layered roof. These openings also bring in light.”
The hall provides space for sports including futsal, volleyball, basketball and badminton, while elevated balconies provide observation areas for spectators.
East and Southeast Asia are emerging as hotbeds of architectural bamboo innovation, with Ibuku in Indonesia, Vo Trong Nghia in Vietnam and William Lim in Hong Kong just some of the designers using the material to create strong, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing leisure buildings.
Thailand Chiang Mai Panyaden International School bamboo Chiangmai Life Construction architecture designVo Trong Nghia designs floating bamboo spa on Vietnamese island
Vo Trong Nghia returns with dramatic restaurant crafted from bamboo
Vo Trong Nghia designs bold bamboo extension to Vietnamese wellness retreat
Penda reveal vision for Chinese eco-city made entirely from bamboo
FEATURE: Spa people – Vo Trong Nghia
FEATURE: Materials – Bamboo style
FEATURE: Super grass – Ibuku
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more