Chambers Foundation - ARCHITECTURE

Teratai Architecture

Design and Build Course

Following the success of last year’s course, participants are invited to join once again. This year, hosted at the Ngapuh Homestead on the riverbanks, each day begins with stunning views and the sounds of the jungle. Attendees live, build, and design alongside the Bidayuh community, sharing meals and learning directly while bringing their own ideas to life through collaboration.

The course blends traditional wisdom with modular design innovation. Whether an architect, designer, maker, or simply curious, it offers a rare chance to reconnect with the essence of natural building and cultural exchange.

Itinerary and location for 2026

The Petal Module

The petal module is like a poem in the making, many small pieces tied together as bundles, which are then curved to form loops and then interlocked to create strong petal module. Each piece becomes part of something greater than itself and the possibilities are infinite.

The petal module is a metaphor, for how many small actions, can create something larger than oneself. The build process stands as a testament to teamwork and the beauty of many minds and hands coming together to build, not just a structure, but also a community and lifelong connections.

Green School Visit – Design and Build Course with Oxford Brookes University 2024

Dome

Bali

Retreat

Borneo

Longhouse

Borneo

Shade

Bali

Gateway

Bali

Bridge

Borneo

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If you believe in what we’re building, please consider making a donation. Your support helps the community to preserves traditional craft, through shared learning and cultural exchange.

Let's design and build together!

Free online learning

Where it all began

I put away my computer and began designing with nature as my guide. That is why the petal module embodies the unique qualities of bamboo, its flexibility, strength and lightweight nature. My design journey started with a miniature model, allowing the forms to take shape organically as I worked by hand. Through testing and mock ups, full scale petal modules emerged that we formed into a self supporting dome that resembled a lotus flower. I was in Bali at the time, and the local word for lotus is teratai, so we called it Teratai Architecture, marking the beginning of a series of annual live build workshops.

The petal module offers limitless possibilities. It has been arranged into a dome, a retreat pavilion, a longhouse, a shade sculpture, a gateway, and a bridge. Each build demonstrates the versatility and adaptability of bamboo, revealing its potential as an affordable, sustainable resource. The module is a testament to hands on material exploration, teamwork and creativity.

What we have designed and built

Teratai Dome, with Bamboo in Bali

STATUS Built
TYPE Design and Build Course

The vision was clear, to harness the flexible lightweight nature of bamboo and translate it into an affordable, self supporting structure that embodies sustainability, affordability and beauty. The domes innovative design allows for easy assembly akin to flat packed furniture, promoting adaptability for future installations.

River Retreat, with Rattan in Borneo

STATUS Built
TYPE Design and Build Course

At the point where three rivers meet, we embarked on a self build project to create a a traditional hut, using locally sourced natural materials. This project embodies our commitment to sustainable building practices and community collaboration.

Learning from the petal model, we adapted the design to utilise rattan, a resource abundantly available. The structure features a bamboo deck and a leaf roof, offering shade and protection while seamlessly blending with the surrounding environment.

Bidayuh Longhouse, with Bamboo in Borneo

STATUS Concept
TYPE Model Making Course

Our longhouse workshop space at the Bidayuh community campus in the rainforest is designed in collaboration with the Bidayuh community to preserve and blend authentic Bidayuh architectural elements with contemporary construction techniques. This creates a dynamic space for creativity and cultural exchange. With a flexible layout, the longhouse serves as an ideal venue for educational programs and community gatherings.

Shade Sculpture, with Bamboo in Bali

STATUS Concept
TYPE Model Making Course

In Nuanu Creative City, along the river walk, a Corbra shade sculpture emerges as a beautiful symbol of balance, reflection and interconnectedness with nature. Sculptural symbolism of the serpent and the lotus flower add layers creating a rich tapestry of symbolism. Within the realm of Cobra, we invite you to reflect and release, embracing both the darkness and light that coexist in this serene setting. A focal point where perspectives converge.

Community Gateway, with Bamboo in Bali

STATUS Built
TYPE Design and Build Course

This model making workshop and live build, with Oxford Brookes University, focused on designing and constructing a community gateway structure using the reciprocal bamboo petal module.

The project aims to create a entrance for a rural village in the mountains of Jatiluwih, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Participants engage in a hands on learning, guided through the process from initial model making and design development, to on site building.

This initiative fosters sustainable building practices, knowledge exchange and community collaboration, creating a sculptural gateway that integrates harmoniously with the natural and cultural environment.

Community Bridge, with Bamboo in Borneo

STATUS Concept
TYPE Model Making Course

We focused on designing a sculptural bridge using the reciprocal petal module, a lightweight elegant structure ideal for bridges and for creating welcoming gateway a symbol of connection.

This was a unique opportunity to step into the rainforest and explore sustainable architecture. Through model making and design development, participants gained practical experience and a deeper understanding of traditional design techniques.

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