--- slug: bamboo-office title: Bamboo Office — A bioclimatic office building in Changzhou hero_subtitle: "A building where the facade serves as the primary climate control system: a fifteen-metre-high bamboo forest that filters light, heat and wind." year: 2018–2019 location: Changzhou, Jiangsu, China typology: Office building vertical_primary: Sustainable Design vertical_primary_slug: sustainable-design badge_raw: 2018–2019 · Changzhou, Jiangsu, China · Office building · Sustainable Design hero_image: bamboo-office-rendering-open-office.jpg scheda: Location: Changzhou, Jiangsu, China Year: 2018–2019 Client: Chinese Sustainable Design Centre Building Materials Design & Research Institute Typology: Office building Area: 816 m² Green space: 70 m² Status: Winning concept in an international competition + professional commission Designers: Maurizio Barberio, Micaela Colella (Barberio Colella ARC) Contributors: Angelo Figliola (design and environmental analysis) Awards: "Winner of Lotto 14, the 1st International Green/Ecological Building Competition (IGEBC). Jury: Mario Cucinella, Stefan Behnisch. 147 teams from 11 countries." Main materials: Glued laminated bamboo (structure), structural glass (double-skin facade), living bamboo (bioclimatic shading), photovoltaic film images: - filename: bamboo-office-bioclimatic-strategies.jpg alt: Aerial view of Bamboo Office with its bamboo facade caption: A bird’s-eye view of the bioclimatic office building — the double-skin glazed facade with bamboo wraps around the three sun-facing sides, creating a natural filter between the interior and exterior. - filename: bamboo-office-elevations-and-sections.jpg alt: Bamboo Office Reception – double‑height space caption: The double‑height reception area overlooks the inner garden through a large glass wall — the green space is an integral part of the daily working experience. - filename: bamboo-office-exterior-view.jpg alt: Bamboo Office open-plan office with natural light caption: The open-plan office on the first floor benefits from natural light filtered through bamboo — simulations confirm a natural daylight autonomy (sDA) of 62.5%, in line with LEED V4 requirements. - filename: bamboo-office-site-plan.jpg alt: Site plan for Bamboo Office in the Wujin district caption: "Site plan for Plot 14 in the Wujin Green District: the building’s layout maximises controlled solar radiation and its connection with the inner garden." - filename: bamboo-office-masterplan.jpg alt: "Architectural plants: Bamboo Office, four storeys" caption: "The floor plans of the four storeys illustrate the functional layout: reception and exhibition area on the ground floor, open-plan offices and meeting rooms on the upper floors, and a conference room on the top floor." - filename: bamboo-office-plans.jpg alt: Floor plan of Bamboo Office with an inner garden caption: The floor plan highlights the relationship between the building, the inner garden and the urban context — the 70 m² green space is sheltered by the building itself and the bamboo plants along the perimeter. - filename: bamboo-office-rendering-reception-nb.jpg alt: "Exterior view of Bamboo Office: night-time rendering" caption: "Render: Barberio Colella ARC — exterior view highlighting the transparency of the double-skin facade and the visual connection between the interior and exterior." faq_count: 6 related_slugs: - urban-dunes - polymnia-futura - casa-a-carovigno cta: title: Are you designing a building that works with the climate, rather than against it? body: If you’re considering a project where sustainability isn’t just a certificate to hang on the wall but the principle that shapes the building itself, let’s have a chat. A 30-minute video call is all it takes to see if a bioclimatic design is suitable for your specific project. button: Let’s talk about your project microcopy: "[Let’s talk about your project]" gallery_renders: - filename: bamboo-office-exterior-view.jpg alt: Bamboo Office open-plan office with natural light caption: The open-plan office on the first floor benefits from natural light filtered through bamboo — simulations confirm a natural daylight autonomy (sDA) of 62.5%, in line with LEED V4 requirements. - filename: bamboo-office-rendering-reception-nb.jpg alt: "Exterior view of Bamboo Office: night-time rendering" caption: "Render: Barberio Colella ARC — exterior view highlighting the transparency of the double-skin facade and the visual connection between the interior and exterior." - filename: bamboo-office-rendering-workspace-nb.jpg alt: Bamboo Office workspace with laminated bamboo structure caption: The workspace with the exposed laminated bamboo structure and light filtered through the bioclimatic facade. - filename: bamboo-office-rendering-gallery.jpg alt: Upper gallery bamboo office double-height atrium pendant lights caption: "The upper-level gallery overlooking the double-height atrium: structural bamboo columns, suspended globe lights and glass-walled meeting rooms facing the surrounding bamboo forest — a circulation space that becomes a place of encounter." - filename: bamboo-office-rendering-individual-workspace.jpg alt: Individual workstations bamboo shelving wall natural light caption: "The upper-floor individual workspace: full-height bamboo shelving, glass partitions between workstations and natural light filtered through the surrounding forest — an environment balancing focus and connection with nature." - filename: bamboo-office-rendering-lounge.jpg alt: Lounge area green sofa coffee bar bamboo structure caption: "The lounge and coffee bar area: green sofa, wooden-stool counter and workers in the background among cubicle workstations — the bamboo load-bearing structure and ceiling create a warm atmosphere encouraging breaks and informal exchange." - filename: bamboo-office-rendering-open-office.jpg alt: Upper floor open office bamboo atrium pendant globe lights caption: "The upper-floor open office in perspective along the central corridor: workstations on both sides, double-height atrium with bamboo columns and suspended globe lights — a shared workplace where the natural structure sets the rhythm of space." gallery_drawings: - filename: bamboo-office-masterplan.jpg alt: "Architectural plants: Bamboo Office, four storeys" caption: "The floor plans of the four storeys illustrate the functional layout: reception and exhibition area on the ground floor, open-plan offices and meeting rooms on the upper floors, and a conference room on the top floor." - filename: bamboo-office-site-plan.jpg alt: Site plan for Bamboo Office in the Wujin district caption: "Site plan for Plot 14 in the Wujin Green District: the building’s layout maximises controlled solar radiation and its connection with the inner garden." - filename: bamboo-office-bioclimatic-strategies.jpg alt: Aerial view of Bamboo Office with its bamboo facade caption: A bird’s-eye view of the bioclimatic office building — the double-skin glazed facade with bamboo wraps around the three sun-facing sides, creating a natural filter between the interior and exterior. - filename: bamboo-office-plans.jpg alt: Floor plan of Bamboo Office with an inner garden caption: The floor plan highlights the relationship between the building, the inner garden and the urban context — the 70 m² green space is sheltered by the building itself and the bamboo plants along the perimeter. - filename: bamboo-office-elevations-and-sections.jpg alt: Bamboo Office Reception – double‑height space caption: The double‑height reception area overlooks the inner garden through a large glass wall — the green space is an integral part of the daily working experience. --- # Bamboo Office — Bioclimatic office building in Changzhou _A building where the facade serves as the primary climate control system: a fifteen-metre-high bamboo forest that filters light, heat and wind._ **2018–2019 · Changzhou, Jiangsu, China · Office building · Sustainable Design** --- ## When the facade becomes a forest In the Wujin Green Industrial District in Changzhou, the Chinese authorities organised the 1st International Green/Ecological Building Competition (IGEBC) to build a model neighbourhood of sustainable buildings. Barberio Colella Architetti, in collaboration with Angelo Figliola, won Lot 14 with a proposal that overturns the conventional relationship between building and nature: instead of adding greenery as decoration, they make it the heart of the bioclimatic system. The design strategy stems from a precise observation: in conventional office buildings, workers lose all sense of time and the seasons. BCA’s solution is a fifteen-metre-high double-skin facade of structural glass, within which a continuous line of living bamboo grows. This ‘bamboo line’ is not merely an aesthetic feature: it is a bioclimatic device that controls the amount of solar radiation in a diffused manner, eliminating glare and reducing the thermal load on surfaces facing east, west and south. Its operation is seasonal. In winter, the double-skin facade accumulates solar heat in the air cavity between the two glass walls, preheating the air before it enters the interior spaces. In summer, the system works in reverse: natural ventilation flows through the cavity, carrying away excess heat, whilst the bamboo shades the transparent surfaces. On the north side, a solid, well-insulated opaque building envelope protects against cold winds. The result is a building that drastically reduces dependence on mechanical systems, achieving a PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) of -0.01 — practically neutral, the maximum possible thermal comfort. The entire load‑bearing structure is made of glued laminated bamboo with concealed metal connections, prioritising the use of local renewable resources. The 816 m² building houses offices, meeting rooms, a conference room, lounge areas and a double‑height reception space spread over four floors, overlooking a 70 m² inner garden. The roof, covered with PV film, collects rainwater for reuse. The competition jury — which included Mario Cucinella and Stefan Behnisch — selected the project from among 147 teams from 11 countries, recognising BCA’s proposal as a replicable model of office architecture where sustainability is not an afterthought, but the principle that generates the form. --- ## Image gallery ![Aerial view of Bamboo Office with bamboo façade](images/bamboo-office/bamboo-office-bioclimatic-strategies.jpg) *Bird’s-eye view of the bioclimatic office building — the double-skin glazed facade with bamboo wraps around the three sides exposed to the sun, creating a natural filter between interior and exterior.* *The double-skin facade with the ‘bamboo line’ visible through the structural glass — the bamboo filters direct sunlight, reducing the thermal load without obscuring the interior spaces.* ![Bamboo Office reception area with a double‑height space](images/bamboo-office/bamboo-office-elevations-and-sections.jpg) *The double‑height reception area overlooks the inner garden through a large glass wall — the green space is an integral part of the daily working experience.* ![Bamboo Office open-plan office with natural light](images/bamboo-office/bamboo-office-exterior-view.jpg) *The open-plan office on the first floor benefits from natural light filtered through the bamboo — simulations confirm a natural daylight autonomy (sDA) of 62.5%, in line with LEED V4 requirements.* *Diagram of bioclimatic strategies: the section shows the seasonal functioning of the ventilated double-skin facade, natural ventilation and the passive shading system.* ![Site plan for Bamboo Office in the Wujin district](images/bamboo-office/bamboo-office-site-plan.jpg) *Site plan for plot 14 in the Wujin green district: the building’s layout maximises controlled solar exposure and the relationship with the inner garden.* ![Architectural floor plans for the four-storey Bamboo Office](images/bamboo-office/bamboo-office-masterplan.jpg) *The floor plans for the four storeys show the functional layout: reception and exhibition area on the ground floor, open-plan offices and meeting rooms on the upper floors, and a conference room on the top floor.* ![Floor plan of Bamboo Office with inner garden](images/bamboo-office/bamboo-office-plans.jpg) *The floor plan highlights the relationship between the building, the inner garden and the urban context — the 70 m² green space is sheltered by the building itself and the perimeter bamboo plants.* *Architectural elevations and sections — the longitudinal section reveals the 15-metre height of the double-skin facade and the load‑bearing structure made from laminated bamboo.* ![Exterior view of the Bamboo Office, night-time rendering](images/bamboo-office/bamboo-office-rendering-reception-nb.jpg) *Rendering: Barberio Colella ARC — exterior view highlighting the transparency of the double-skin facade and the visual relationship between interior and exterior.* *Render: Barberio Colella ARC — the reception area viewed from the entrance, with the green wall of the inner garden as a natural backdrop.* *Render: Barberio Colella ARC — the workspace with the exposed laminated bamboo structure and light filtered through the bioclimatic design of the facade.* --- ## Technical specifications - **Location:** Changzhou, Jiangsu, China - **Year:** 2018–2019 - **Client:** Chinese Sustainable Design Centre Building Materials Design & Research Institute - **Typology:** Office building - **Floor area:** 816 m² - **Green area:** 70 m² - **Status:** Winning concept in international competition + professional commission - **Designers:** Maurizio Barberio, Micaela Colella (Barberio Colella ARC) - **Collaborators:** Angelo Figliola (design and environmental analysis) - **Awards:** Winner of Lot 14, 1st International Green/Ecological Building Competition (IGEBC). Jury: Mario Cucinella, Stefan Behnisch. 147 teams from 11 countries. - **Main materials:** Glued laminated bamboo (structure), structural glass (double-skin facade), living bamboo (bioclimatic shading), photovoltaic film - **BCA vertical:** Sustainable Design --- ## How do you design an office building that functions without 24/7 active climate control? Those commissioning an office building face a paradox: comfort standards require constant temperatures and lighting, but conventional HVAC systems consume more energy than any other component of the building and often create artificial environments where workers lose all contact with the outside world. The most common ‘green’ solutions — thermal insulation, heat pumps, photovoltaic panels — reduce energy consumption but do not change the paradigm: the building remains a sealed box dependent on mechanical systems. The Bamboo Office demonstrates a different approach: the façade itself becomes the primary climate control system. The ventilated double-skin facade with living bamboo passively manages light, heat and ventilation, reducing dependence on mechanical systems and reconnecting workers with the natural rhythm of the seasons. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is it possible to build a bioclimatic office building that meets comfort standards without oversized air-conditioning systems? Yes, the Bamboo Office demonstrates that it is possible. The ventilated double-skin facade passively manages thermal and lighting comfort: in winter it stores solar heat, in summer it utilises natural ventilation. Environmental simulations confirm a PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) of -0.01 — thermal comfort neutral — and a natural daylight autonomy (sDA) of 62.5%, in line with LEED V4 requirements. The mechanical systems (variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system + underfloor distribution) act only as a supplement, not as the primary system. ### How does a double-skin bioclimatic facade with bamboo work? The double-skin facade consists of three layers: an external structural glass pane (weather protection), an air cavity (thermal buffer and maintenance access) and an internal glazed wall (insulation and sealing). Inside the cavity, 15-metre-tall bamboo plants grow, acting as a natural sunshade. In winter, solar radiation preheats the air in the cavity before it enters the building. In summer, natural ventilation flows through the cavity, carrying heat away, whilst the bamboo shades the internal glazed surfaces. The result is a building that adapts passively to the climate, season by season. ### Can bamboo be used as a load‑bearing structure for an office building? The Bamboo Office uses engineered bamboo glulam for beams and columns, with concealed metal connections. This is not raw bamboo cane, but an industrial material with certified mechanical properties, comparable to traditional glulam but with a much faster growth cycle (3–5 years vs 20–30 for timber). In Changzhou, bamboo is also a local resource, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting materials and supports the local production chain. ### How much does it cost to build a bioclimatic building compared to a conventional one? The construction cost of a bioclimatic building such as the Bamboo Office is generally 10–15% higher than that of a conventional building of the same floor area, mainly due to the greater complexity of the double-skin facade and the laminated bamboo structure. However, the operating costs over the building’s life cycle are significantly lower thanks to reduced energy consumption for air conditioning and lighting. The photovoltaic system integrated into the roof produces approximately 31,000 kWh/year, further contributing to the building’s energy self-sufficiency. The return on investment is calculated over the building’s life cycle, not just on the basis of construction costs. ### How is indoor comfort measured in a bioclimatic building? The Bamboo Office was designed using parametric environmental simulations that measure four key indicators: the PMV (Predicted Mean Vote), which assesses thermal comfort on a scale from -3 (cold) to +3 (hot) — the Bamboo Office achieves -0.01, which is practically neutral; the sDA (Spatial Daylight Autonomy), which measures the percentage of space with sufficient natural lighting for at least 50% of working hours — the project achieves 62.5%, above the LEED V4 threshold; the ASE (Annual Sunlight Exposure), which measures the risk of glare — the project stands at 7%, within acceptable limits; and the DGP (Daylight Glare Probability) analysis, which confirms imperceptible glare at all analysed points. ### Which architects have experience in designing bioclimatic office buildings? Barberio Colella Architetti is a firm based in Bari, founded by two architects with PhDs in architectural design, specialising in sustainability and bioclimatic design. The Bamboo Office, winner of an international competition judged by Mario Cucinella and Stefan Behnisch (from among 147 teams from 11 countries), demonstrates the ability to design buildings where the climate strategy is the principle that generates the architectural form, not an afterthought in the building services. The firm operates in Puglia, Southern Italy and on international projects. --- ## Are you designing a building that works with the climate, not against it? If you are considering a project where sustainability is not just a certificate to hang on the wall but the principle that shapes the building, let’s talk. A 30-minute video call is all it takes to see if bioclimatic design is suitable for your specific project. **[Let’s talk about your project]** _[Let’s talk about your project]_ --- ## Related projects - **Urban Dunes** — 3D-printed bioclimatic design shading structure in Abu Dhabi - **Polymnia Futura** — Sustainable urban regeneration in Polignano a Mare (Europan 18 special mention) - **House in Carovigno** — Bioclimatic design residence in Puglia _Discover our approach to Sustainable Design →_