A kindergarten made of bamboo was built between hamlets on a rice field in Tasikmalaya, West Java. The Nur Hikmah‘s main structure is using bamboo not only for economic and environmental reasons, but also due to its flexible nature, which allows the building to sway during an earthquake. The main bamboo frames were designed independently with the floor system to allow flexibility and future expansion. Design development was done after a series of workshops conducted with school administrators and parents. Construction began at the end of 2017. The bamboo has been treated prior in order to last longer, while the floor has been raised on stilts to retain the existing agricultural functions. The new building represents a novel approach to the native material and has brought a new spirit to teachers, as well as students, motivating them to take care of the environment.
