Pounamu Bamboo Construction Ltd.

Summary

Pounamu Bamboo Construction Ltd is a bamboo design and construction company in Shan State, Myanmar. It has been operational for four years, and has built structures for eco-resorts, eco-villages and private homes, and provides training programs in sustainable bamboo forestry, bamboo treatment and bamboo construction. PBC has now developed a prototype for a low-cost single-family home from bamboo that is cost-competitive when compared with conventional affordable housing in Myanmar.

Background and Objective

Gender and Social Inclusivity

The low-cost single-family bamboo home solution is attractive for low-income households because the use of treated bamboo, which is strong, light and can withstand extreme weather conditions, is a low-cost and more durable option than traditional rural housing materials. Furthermore, PBC sets up bamboo treatment facilities in all the communities where it builds structures, and provides integrated training programs on bamboo treatment, sustainable bamboo forestry, and construction. Once trainings are completed, the community is left with a fully functioning treatment facility, as well as the knowledge and skills of how to use it, equipping them with extra income-generating resources.

Innovative Initiative

PBC’s unique treated bamboo construction methodology seeks to address two issues in rural communities: the shortage of decent housing and employment opportunities. In implementing projects, PBC skills and employs local people for bamboo treatment and construction. In addition, to promote a sustainable source of high quality bamboo that is required for its structures, PBC teaches farmers sustainable bamboo forestry. By placing a higher value on existing and new bamboo forests, the local environment is preserved and thus more resilient to climate change.