Green Queens - the eco-friendly abode
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`Green Queens,' conceived and constructed by the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation, is quite different from the traditional concept of bamboo houses.
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GO GREEN: The bamboo house conceived by the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation.
Swaying clumps of bamboo always evoke images of serenity and rustic charm. Sleek bamboo poles of varying hues silhouetted against the sky give a unique ambience to any surrounding, be it in a village, forest or urban landscape. Its beauty apart, bamboo is a plant with the most versatile applications. The fastest growing plant on earth, bamboo, has always been made use of by human beings from time immemorial.
Above competition
Even in this era of technological advancement, bamboo has few competitors in terms of durability, economy and ecological advantage all combined together. For centuries, bamboo was used as a raw material for construction purposes. The poles became pillars for all sorts of roofs. In many countries, bamboo mats served as partitions and flooring. Cottages made completely out of bamboo poles are seen in exotic tourist locations. But, `Green Queens,' conceived and constructed by the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation, is quite different from the traditional concept of bamboo houses. This eco-friendly abode, launched by the Corporation recently, is a novel concept, suitable for a wide variety of purposes.
"It is part of our attempt to make value-added products out of bamboo," says M.R. Anilkumar, managing director of the Bamboo Corporation. "While the concept of using bamboo for constructing houses is being discussed at the national level mainly for the purpose of rehabilitation, we have designed it as a value-added product that would eventually help our artisans," he points out. The bamboo houses now being designed at the national level for the rehabilitation purposes are merely residential structures, while the Corporation has designed a full-fledged traditional house. The biggest attraction of this design is that it is completely pre-fabricated, Mr. Anilkumar points out. "It can be completely dismantled within an hour, and re-constructed within five hours." The house is suitable for segments like tourism and ayurveda centres, he says. "We also target the export market as it is totally pre-fabricated. However, it is expensive," he adds.
Use of Bambooply
The house has an infrastructure of wooden frames, done with good quality timber. The walls, floor and roof are completely constructed with Bambooply, the popular alternative for wood, made out of bamboo mats manufactured by the Corporation. Considered an ideal substitute for wood, Bambooply had been used for a wide variety of purposes, including the making of furniture. But it was for the first time that the Corporation was making use of it for constructing an entire house.
Since Bambooply is resistant to weather, heat, water and termites, the house becomes a suitable option in any geographical or climatic zone. The air pocket between layers of walls also ensures climatic protection.
While the most practical use of bamboo houses is for rehabilitation especially in earthquake-affected regions, the Bamboo Corporation's innovation points at the possibility of catering to a high-end market. The house presently developed has a plinth area of 436 square feet, including a sit-out, drawing room, kitchen, bedroom and toilet-cum-wash basin. The total height of the structure is 428 cm. It is priced at the rate of Rs.1,200 per square feet, with taxes and other duties. Around one lakh traditional workers are associated with the bamboo sector in the State. To ensure support to these artisans, we need to diversify our products, entering the value-added sector. We need to create an awareness among the public," says Mr. Anilkumar.
RENU RAMANATH
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