Bamboo structure - `shade giver'

[Mark Mortimer]

I just posted a few photos of a structure I built for a landscaping show here in Buenos Aires.
It was good fun to build and stands out quite well here as no one is doing anything similar. I suppose you could call it a shade giver.
The main point of the construction is the triangulation of the
culms. It gives it the stability. It is designed to be fairly flexible and the three long horizontal roof spars bend in the wind. But it also means I can’t put too heavy a roof material on it. It is a lightweight structure.
The material is a sort of lycra.
Anyway, just wanted your thoughts/suggestions?improvements?adaptations?

Mark

http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/529/thumbs/31escobar1small.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=767&cat=500) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/529/thumbs/31escobar2small.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=768&cat=500) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/529/thumbs/31escobar3small.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=769&cat=500)

http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/529/31escobar4small.jpg

[antoon versteegde]

Well done, Mark, I like it!

Antoon Versteegde
The Netherlands

[Mark Mortimer]

Excellent work, Mark!!!
Have you come up with a method to adjust the tension in the design?



Sorry Mark. I don't understand what tension you are refering to.
All the joints(3 types) are pretty much fixed and inflexible, the flexibility coming from the culms themselves.
The very thin bamboo culms on the roof are attached with rubber strips (cut up inner tubes from wheels) so they don't affect the movement of the roof as a whole.
There's not much tension in the streched fabric.

Mark Mortimer

[Mark Meckes]

Hello Mark,
I am guessing that by attaching the bamboo / fabric to the framework with the rubber strips gives you some flexibility in the design, so that the tension of the fabric can be adjusted, according to the effects of the wind on the design and the stability of the structure.
This is a great idea to explore, some other applications that come to mind are ... other variations of your design, in the form of canopies, tents, domes, balloons, moving mobiles, kites, windmills, sails etc etc
My imagination has been uplifted by the thought of combining bamboo, fabric and wind and also light rays.
Also some very interesting partition screens for the indoors or wall or ceiling hangings framed with fabric, which could be painted on etc etc
Anyway, Thanks for sharing your ideas, photos and the inspiration!

Mark Meckes