Bamboo Houses in Bali: Evaluating Locals’ Perception to Promote Sustainable Construction Materials

This paper examines the perception of bamboo as a construction material among Balinese people. Despite bamboo's promise as a sustainable, locally sourced material, there is a gap in understanding its acceptability for housing construction. This research aims to bridge this gap through a user-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of incorporating the perspectives and preferences of local populations in architectural decision-making.
The paper is structured as a multi-method investigation. After a brief literature review to contextualize bamboo's qualities and limitations in housing design, the fieldwork conducted in Bali, Indonesia, seeks to understand the current perception of bamboo as a housing construction material by the local habitants. The study includes a survey (57 participants), three in-depth interviews with bamboo experts, and four potential users undergoing an interview a priori, a commentated walk, in bamboo buildings, and interviews a posteriori. The results of the study are presented through various qualitative indicators which provide a comprehensive understanding of how bamboo is viewed and whether it is considered suitable for housing in Bali.
This research contributes to the field by employing a multimethod approach, highlighting the importance of a user-centered perspective in architectural design. The study reveals that having an embodied experience of a place can modify one’s perception of a material. It argues for the relevance of design theory in promoting sustainability,
showing how it can lead to more informed and effective policy and architectural decisions.