a plant considered a hindrance to the area’s maize much of the region’s bamboo has been removed without any future use in mind all images by onnis luque in an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, comunal: taller de arquitectura proposed a housing project that utilized the site’s surplus bamboo before working on the house’s design the architects began by working closely with the local community to understand both their customs and traditions and the characteristics of the site the configuration of the residence includes the programs found within a traditional dwelling while integrating low-cost systems for the collection the housing project utilizes the site’s surplus bamboo simple bio-climatic principles — such as cross ventilation and chimneys — have been incorporated to ensure that the home remains comfortable throughout the year the design team placed a great emphasis on training the local community so that they are able to replicate it in future a series of technical workshops explaining were held which explained each stage of bamboo management — from forestry to the construction in order to simplify the house’s assembly the modular fabrication system comprises as few parts as possible the architects worked closely with the local community both the land and bamboo were donated by the community the lamina used in the roof is generated with recycled aluminum which ensures a constant temperature inside the house and avoids the formation of fungi the architects have continued working with the community to use traditional building materials to reduce costs and improve the region’s quality of life the configuration of the residence includes the programs found within a traditional dwelling a small shrine is included at the heart of the home basic bio-climatic principles — such as cross ventilation and chimneys — have been incorporated both the land and bamboo were donated by the community patterns have been created in the home’s brick façades puebla’s nahua community is also inundated with bamboo name: rural housing: exercise I architect: comunal: taller de arquitectura & community of tepetzintan location: community of tepetzintan mexico surface area: 80 sqm / 861 sqf photography: onnis luque AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style