Bali is known for many wonderful things. From temples that showcase their culture to the beaches and cliffs that showcase the beauty of their nature, the list goes on and on. Most of these attractions have been there for centuries but recently, there was a building constructed in Bali that deserves a spot on the list of places that you’ll have to see, and that is no other than the creation of the Architecture Studio Ibuku. The first building of its kind, The Arc is the latest addition to the site of Green School, which is an institution in Indonesia that caters to private education while also promoting sustainability through their initiative to learn in a natural environment. In a sense, they’re creating a trend that is trying to break the notion of good schools needing to have the most modern brick and concrete buildings.

The Arc is made completely of bamboo and its beauty stretches out to cover an astounding 760 square meters of space. What makes it even more amazing is that, throughout its entire area, you will find no columns in the central space and that is all thanks to the work and research done by Rowland Sauls(studio Ibuku Architect), Jörg Stamm (bamboo Architect),  and Atelier One (Structural Engineering Firm). The collaboration of these great minds was essential to creating this 14-meter-high structure that is composed of several smooth and natural-looking arches that curve in two directions to create its jaw-dropping aesthetic.

The Arc
Photo courtesy of Dezeen.com
The Arc
Photo Courtesy of Dezeen.com
The Arc
Photo Courtesy of Dezeen.com

Interestingly enough, the idea for the design was born off another field of science which is biology. The way that they were able to construct The Arc was by mimicking the connections of the muscles, tendons, and fibers to the bones, particularly in the rib cage area of the mammal’s body. They used the bamboo to recreate the bones using the trunks, the muscle fibers using shredded bamboo to create panels, and the tendons using bound bamboo strings. All the concave areas also made air circulation for the structure very natural as the hot air escapes from the roof’s apex while the openness of the base allows wind to come in from all directions.

This is the newest addition to the Green School, but it certainly won’t be the last and considering how well thought off and constructed this structure turned out to be, any new works from these great professionals should be on your watch list if you are a professional yourself or even just an enthusiast of the arts and aesthetics highlighted by this magnificent gymnasium. Their students as well as the rest of the world are lucky to have seen this be created in this present time because it opens up so many more architectural and engineering uses for natural materials. They were able to make something that seemed impossible become a reality and it can now be a stepping stone for aspiring professionals to shift how these types of buildings and structures are traditionally made to something more eco-friendly and good for the environment. 

The Arc
Illustration Courtesy of Archdaily.com
The arc
Photography by Tommaso Riva from Archdaily.com

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