Bamboo and Influence of Five Natural Elements

In Southeast Asia Architecture

Author: Zen Ly

Background
Recently, there is a serious issue that consumption of many types of nonbiodegradable materials popularly has be becoming the threat to the environmental
life cycle and cause the global warming (Suhaily, S et al 2013). In addition,
population increase affect dramatically to the human housing, especially in the
developing countries. The shortage of housing material resources promotes to seek
more sustainable and economic materials (Paudel, S & Lobovikov, M 2003).
In the past, bamboo is considered the material of the rural and low-income
architecture. However, currently, it becomes an importance of a construction
program which requires local materials, low-energy and environmental benefit due to
its versatile characteristics. Firstly, Bamboo is one of the oldest materials applied for
building structures and houses components. It is one of the cheapest raw building
materials and available in the countries having the growth of bamboo (Paudel, S &
Lobovikov, M 2003). In addition, it grows in the most of parts on world with 64% in
Southeast Asia, 33% in South America and others in Africa and Oceania. In 65
species of bamboo plant used in building environment, there are 6 species are used
commonly in Asia, such as Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus strictus,
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa vulgaris, and Phyllostachys
bambusoides (Suhaily, S et al 2013). Moreover, Almost technology is used to build
the bamboo housing existing in local areas and no high-tech requirement. If the
treatment process is correct, its durability can be extended up to 30 years, and
declined parts have to be maintained frequently (Paudel, S & Lobovikov, M 2003). In
fact, although human has used bamboo for building since the early, it still has not
gained modernization and industrialization. However, comparing with timber,
bamboos growth cycle is shorter and can be generated faster, and with current
improvement bamboo is expected to be a sustainable and environment-friendly
material (Xiao, Y Inoue, M & Paudel, S 2008). Furthermore, the manufacture of
general bamboo materials consumes little power, and using bamboo can help
prevent the deforestation on the world (Paudel, S & Lobovikov, M 2003). Bamboo
tradition exists longest and brings a mental value in the Orients cultures, for
example, it creates a Zen feeling in Japanese, USA architecture, etc. (Goldberg, G
2002, p.25 50). Hence, using bamboo into construction is an emphasis and also is
an appearance of the countries local culture. The question is asked that how to use
bamboo in architecture based upon the concept of five natural elements. Five
elements of nature concept are known from theories of many countries in both the

Western and the Eastern. The Eastern has China, Japan, Korea and India
dominating.
Wu-hsing which is often called the five elements is a classical theory of China
including Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. It not only affects in ancient society,
but also guides for the present thinking (Palmer, S n.d). Nature and its effects has
been a source of inspiration and creativity for human throughout the history, and
surrounding natural factors always are considered as well as an important in a
building design (Siamak, P Qasem, M & Mohammad, M 2013). Particularly, material
selection in design bases on the principle of five elements composed of Wood, Fire,
Earth, Metal, Water. These materials are elevated as the root of everything
establishment in universe.
Among five elements have production and ruin relationship each other (Lagatree, K
1998). Humans look is categorized via the controlling factor in five elements, for
example, a house beside a lake is in water habitat and in desert is fire habitat. Wood
is considered the element of spring, Fire is of summer, Earth is of indian summer,
Metal is of autumn and Water is of winter. There are three cycles of factors, such as
cycle of creation, reduction and control domination. According to Five elements, the
wood material is appropriate to the types of wood-made; the fire material is the kinds
of light and heat emission; all types have the origin from ground is the earth material;
the metal types is the metal material; and the water material (glass) is the kinds of
water, crystal and mirror. As a result, the theory of these elements provides a
guideline for the collaboration of the materials together. For instance, as the wood is
used with glass, it creates the difference between the warm and the cold feeling and
the glass becomes emphasized due to its transparency (Choi, H n.d).
Moreover, in order to apply this concept into a space designer need consider the
balance and harmony of material selecting in whole space is a criteria and it is past
both feature of function and aesthetic. If a space holds all five elements collaborate
together, it gains a perfect balance (Thompson, A 1996).
To sum up, bamboo is available and wealthy local material used in the construction
at the locations it grows up. The symbiosis of bamboo and other materials following
the principle of five natural elements will create a perfect balance.