#bambooarchitecture

Open Facade Strategy: The Hungry Caterpillar Food Street by Lyth Design

In the heart of Denpasar, Bali, a disused parking lot has been transformed into a bamboo pavilion that exemplifies sustainable and regenerative architecture. The design focuses on creating an open community space that harmonizes with the surrounding coastal environment, relying on natural materials and an architectural approach that reconnects people with place and local heritage.

The open interior enhances social use while allowing natural ventilation and visual balance between light and shadow. Architectural Concept and Design Approach

The pavilion embodies the principles of regenerative architecture, which goes beyond mere physical presence to actively reduce environmental impact and revive traditional craftsmanship. The overall form is inspired by traditional Balinese structures, such as open village halls that serve as central gathering spaces for daily life.

The vaulted roof functions as a natural canopy, providing shade and cross ventilation while allowing balanced light penetration. Its design enables passive cooling without mechanical systems, creating a visually harmonious rhythm with the surrounding coastal landscape.

The combination of bamboo, volcanic stone, and clay tiles creates a visual dialogue with the surrounding natural environment. Materials and Sustainability

The structure relies on locally sourced, compressed bamboo, providing strength comparable to steel while remaining fully renewable. Additional natural materials, including reclaimed volcanic stone, traditional lime plaster, and reused clay roof tiles, contribute thermal mass and further reduce the building’s embodied carbon.

All materials were processed and assembled locally, supporting the regional economy and revitalizing traditional craftsmanship, while ensuring the pavilion integrates organically with its natural and cultural surroundings.

The diagrams illustrate the selected natural materials that support sustainability and reduce the building’s carbon footprint. Spatial and Social Integration

The interior space is designed for versatility:

- Social area for daily gatherings and community interactions. - Educational platform for workshops and learning activities. - Open-air stage for performances and local events.

The design integrates material sustainability and functional flexibility, with the vaulted roof providing both shading and natural ventilation, while creating a visual dialogue between the building’s natural materials and the coastal environment. In this way, the pavilion acts as an organic extension of the landscape, rather than a detached element.

The combination of bamboo, volcanic stone, and clay tiles creates a visual dialogue with the surrounding natural environment. Conceptual and Philosophical Approach

The pavilion emphasizes architecture as a regenerative force, not merely a functional construction. Its core philosophy merges local heritage with innovative design, achieving a balance between people and nature. The project illustrates architecture’s ability to:

- Restore connections between community and place. - Reduce environmental impact through renewable materials. - Provide an open public space that strengthens social and cultural engagement. Project Summary Table ElementDescriptionLocationDenpasar, Bali, IndonesiaProject TypeOpen community pavilionDesign ConceptRegenerative architecture integrating local heritage with innovationMaterialsLocally sourced compressed bamboo, reclaimed volcanic stone, lime plaster, clay roof tilesSustainable FeaturesNatural ventilation, passive cooling, carbon storage, material reuseFunctionsSocial gathering space, educational platform, open air stageArchitectural FeaturesVaulted roof, natural shading, visual dialogue with coastal environmentSocial ImpactSupports local craftsmanship, enhances community engagement

The vaulted roof design enhances shading and ventilation while establishing a regenerative community space.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Bamboo Pavilion in Bali offers a visually cohesive experience, with its vaulted bamboo roof forming a natural canopy that interacts gracefully with sunlight and shadow, while organic lines flow smoothly over the open space. The contrast between natural materials and the surrounding coastal environment enhances a sense of openness and harmony. Critically, the design demonstrates a conscious approach to sustainability, though it faces challenges in maintaining functional flexibility under a fixed roof. Nonetheless, the project delivers clear architectural and social value, redefining the relationship between the built environment and the local community in an innovative, sustainable manner.

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