The Bamboo Bridge
Orangutan Haven
2017
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Our client Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP) offer this Haven for Orangutans who cannot be released into the wild, due to disability or other health reasons. The haven is meant to ease a more comfortable lifestyle while being true to the orangutans natural habitat, and doubles as a natural learning center.
2017
/
Our client Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP) offer this Haven for Orangutans who cannot be released into the wild, due to disability or other health reasons. The haven is meant to ease a more comfortable lifestyle while being true to the orangutans natural habitat, and doubles as a natural learning center.
Located in North Sumatra,Sibolangit, sitting delicately over the Sungai Tengah, is the longest bamboo bridge in Asia at a 30m span. Designed for vehicles up to 2ton and a pedestrians, it is a seductive entrance to a 48ha Orangutan Haven Learning Center.
photo by binsar bakkara
BAMBOO BRIDGE NOMINATION FOR THE FIRST WORLD PRIZE FOR CONTEMPORAR PLANT FIBER-BASED ARCHITECTURE, IN PARIS, FRANCE, NOVEMBER 2019
The FIBRA Award wishes to pay tribute to the courage of clients who chose to use bio-based materials, to the creativity of architects and engineers, and to the skills of craftsmen and contractors.
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The Bridge
We seized the opportunity of bridging the gap between the haven and the wild. By using strong natural shapes and materials as the entrance, it brings the user into the correct mindset when entering the haven.
We seized the opportunity of bridging the gap between the haven and the wild. By using strong natural shapes and materials as the entrance, it brings the user into the correct mindset when entering the haven.
Key figures
Architect Lukas Zollinger
Bamboo Consultan / construction
Joerg Stamm
Project Manager Gilbert Murrer
Span far 30 meter
(longest bamboo bridge in Asia)
Width 5.6m
Hight 12.6m
Traffic load 450kg/m2
Building time 8 months
Architect Lukas Zollinger
Bamboo Consultan / construction
Joerg Stamm
Project Manager Gilbert Murrer
Span far 30 meter
(longest bamboo bridge in Asia)
Width 5.6m
Hight 12.6m
Traffic load 450kg/m2
Building time 8 months
The main material is bamboo poles (Dendrocalamus Asper species) were harvested and treated 50k away, the roof shingles are recycled bamboo off-cuts. Excluding the foundations, glazing and the threaded metal bar connections, the bridge is 100% made out of bamboo. Natural materials, locally sourced; we hope to encourage a more sustainably conscious designer.
Construction
The bamboo bridge was the first building in this big Orangutan Haven project and we want to promote bamboo with such giant projects and show the locals, how to treat, use and build with this miracle grass.
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The bamboo bridge was the first building in this big Orangutan Haven project and we want to promote bamboo with such giant projects and show the locals, how to treat, use and build with this miracle grass.
Design
The bridge has been designed in the local karo- and batak style. The roofs attractive natural deep curve, is low in the centre while each end reaching up for the sky. Light penetrates from a small glazed portion at the centre of the roof and creates a stack effect of cool air, refreshing the user. This traditional roof shape represents - health and success. Which is how we view the work our client and the haven.
The bridge has been designed in the local karo- and batak style. The roofs attractive natural deep curve, is low in the centre while each end reaching up for the sky. Light penetrates from a small glazed portion at the centre of the roof and creates a stack effect of cool air, refreshing the user. This traditional roof shape represents - health and success. Which is how we view the work our client and the haven.
