Architect, author and bamboo advocate Ewe Jin Low crafts beautiful structures from this exceptionally sustainable material
Bamboo is a re-emerging material in design and construction. As a sustainable resource, it's hard to beat—not only is it fast-growing, it’s highly durable, lightweight, and has an inevitable renewable nature. Used for construction in Asia since ancient times, these days bamboo advocates like Ewe Jin Low would like to see it replace concrete and steel.
The Malaysia-born architect worked on mainstream projects in England, Southeast Asia and Australia for 30 years before making his way to Bali. There he rekindled his childhood love for making things from bamboo growing up in Perak and Melaka, as lead architect at Ibuku Bali in 2015. Ibuku is behind many of the bamboo buildings in the internationally renowned Green School and Green Village Bali.
Today, Low runs Tenten, a remote-working architectural practice consisting of collaborative professionals in Australia and the Asia Pacific region working predominantly with bamboo. Tatler Homes speaks to Low about his journey so far and how he continues to design, build, write and teach bamboo.
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Why and how did you start building with bamboo?
I joined Ibuku as lead architect in Bali eight years ago, and this move started my immersion in bamboo. It has been a fascinating journey so far, with a steep learning curve and heaps of fun and rewards. For four years, I worked with the Ibuku team to design and complete more than 50 bamboo buildings in Indonesia and four overseas. I have built on that experience and moved positively forward in bamboo with Tenten.
Bamboo is a young and prospective material to work with. However, it is re-emerging and is increasing in demand with so many looking at it through a different lens, especially with the exorbitant post-pandemic costs of steel, timber and concrete, and the quest towards carbon positivity.
When was Tenten founded?
It was 10.10.10 (October 10, 2010) when I decided to form Tenten Design (now called Tenten or 10:10). This is because 10 past 10 signifies the most elegant position of the clock’s hands. That position is also the posture of our arms during exaltation and prayer.
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