Bridging Theory and Practice of Advanced Bamboo Structures: A Pedagogical Framework for Teaching, Research, and Service Learning in Architectural Education

Incorporating research into teaching empowers students to engage with and generate new knowledge. Integrating service learning enhances students’ experience, providing opportunities to apply learned knowledge in real-world scenarios and foster civic responsibility. Bamboo architecture has gained popularity due to its sustainability and versatility. However, despite recent advancement in bamboo construction, architectural education has given it limited attention compared to other conventional materials. Recognizing bamboo’s significance in architectural design is crucial. To address this gap, incorporating bamboo-related coursework, research projects, and community service in architectural curricula can deepen students’ understanding of bamboo applications. This study introduces a framework for Tectonic Bamboo Education (TBE), implemented in a course focusing on kinetic bamboo structures. The paper aims to assess the framework’s potential and challenges through surveys and semi structured interviews, utilizing mixed method analysis, including descriptive analysis and thematic coding, to provide insight into its advantages and challenges.