BaleBio: An Award-Winning Milestone for Bamboo

Transforming bamboo

A sweeping barrel-vaulted roof of slender bamboo rafters, clad in pelupuh (flattened bamboo), rises 8.5 metres to form a striking canopy that provides shade, natural ventilation, and passive cooling. It is carried by a structure that embodies the building’s core innovation: transforming bamboo from a traditional round-pole material into a contemporary, high-performance engineered product.

The main frame uses locally sourced petung bamboo, compressed and resin-laminated to achieve the strength and versatility of steel or timber while retaining its renewability. All components are grown, processed, and assembled in Indonesia, establishing a regenerative regional supply chain. Construction combines traditional joinery with precision-engineered connections. Reclaimed volcanic rock, lime plaster, and repurposed clay roof tiles add thermal mass, and further reduce embodied carbon.
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Saving carbon

A comprehensive value chain analysis assessed the circular potential and scalability of every material. Meanwhile, a rigorous Life Cycle Assessment confirmed BaleBio to be verifiably carbon-negative from Cradle to Construction (Stage A). It achieves a 110% reduction in embodied carbon compared with a conventional build, both avoiding more than 53 tonnes of CO₂ emissions (equivalent to planting over 2,400 trees) and actively absorbing carbon through its nature-based materials.

Beyond its environmental impact, BaleBio has transformed a once-neglected site previously earmarked for a car park into a vibrant public anchor. Since its completion in early 2025, it has become a popular meeting place, classroom, and stage for community events.

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Awards

For its material, social, and architectural innovation, BaleBio received three major international awards: Gold in Excellent Architecture at the German Design Award 2026 in both Circular Design and Fair & Exhibition categories, the Australian Good Design Award for Social Impact 2025, and a commendation from the Built by Nature Prize 2025.

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Credits:

Concept: Bauhaus Earth
Project Partners: Bamboo Village Trust, Kota Kita
Design: Cave Urban
Structural Engineering: Atelier One
Project Management: Bamboo Village Trust
Community Engagement: Kota Kita, Warmadewa University
LCA Analysis: Eco Mantra
Manufacturing: Indobamboo (Laminate Bamboo), KalTimber, Bhoomi, Bamboo Pure, Wedoo, Rothoblaas

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Funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN)

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