Arup has released Designing Sustainable and Resilient Bamboo Buildings, a new technical guide that contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the use of bamboo as a structural material in contemporary construction.}

With the built environment responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the guide responds to the urgent need for low-carbon, renewable, and locally available building materials. Bamboo—recognized for its rapid growth, structural performance, and low embodied carbon—offers significant potential to support more sustainable and resilient construction systems.

The publication provides practical and engineering-focused guidance for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It addresses key topics including bamboo material selection and sourcing, structural behavior, durability, seismic considerations, and design principles aligned with modern engineering practice.

Developed by Arup in collaboration with academic institutions and bamboo construction specialists, the guide aligns with ISO 22156:2021, the international standard for the structural design of bamboo, strengthening its relevance as a credible technical reference for the global construction sector.

This resource represents an important step toward mainstreaming bamboo within sustainable building strategies and advancing its responsible use in both developed and emerging markets.

🔗 Access the full publication:https://www.arup.com/insights/designing-sustainable-and-resilient-bamboo-buildings/

Header image © Bryan Taylor