The build - Onsite in Lombok week 1

We arrived in Lombok just over a week ago. It is so exciting to be here and get to build what we have been designing, discussing and stressing over during the past year. On our first day we got to see an existing bamboo house owned by Els Houttave, founder of the local charity we are working with, it was incredible and created even more motivation to get started on construction of the two template houses.

After a 3-hour ride to the first site, we were welcomed by the local building team and community, who were full of energy for the project, it was great to meet them. During the first few days we were accompanied by the team from UCL. They were here to 3D scan and take samples for testing of the bamboo pieces to be used in the construction of the bamboo houses, barcoding them and tracking their final position. With the aim of refining and improving design in the future, their work will prove important in the adoption of bamboo housing in the region. It was great to have them onsite for the first few days of the project. They’ve now headed home with their suitcases loaded with bamboo samples!

We have now completed our time here in Lombok and hand over to Lene Marie Rognan and Tom Harley-Tuffs. We’ve made some fantastic progress, discovered cultural differences that we need to be aware of and address, and we’ve overcome some practical difficulties that no amount of planning could have anticipated. It’s been wonderful to experience the hospitality and goodwill of the local people during our stay and while it’s been hard work, we have also managed to see some of Lombok, and what a beautiful island it is.