Welcome to the 7th episode of the ThinkBamboo podcast, where we delve into the unique experiences and insights of our Mexican guest Daniel Stamatis, Architectural Engineering, Ph.D, who has spent 8 years living and working in China.
Daniel Stamatis, has spent over eight years in China studying and working with bamboo.
In a recent episode of the ThinkBamboo podcast, Stamatis shared his experiences and insights about his journey from Mexico to China and his passion for bamboo.
Back in Mexico Daniel has created Chusdoit.com a Bamboo Architectural Research & Design company operating on global scale.
Video Interview
Video Interview Summary Quick-Links:
[00:07] Daniel Stamatis’ unique journey to becoming a bamboo expert
[04:36] Bamboo industry in China is worth billions of dollars
[09:02] China uses every part of the pig and bamboo extensively
[13:15] Democratizing bamboo through a public domain approach
[17:12] Academic position is key for successful bamboo construction
[21:17] Learn the protocol of creation for bamboo architecture
[25:20] Method of fast prototyping, architectural design, and bamboo to create unique structures
[29:04] Proposing bamboo architecture in a way that cannot be substituted by any other material
Chinese National Bamboo Research Center
Stamatis began his bamboo journey in 2009 when he was experimenting with designing and building with bamboo in the northwest of Mexico. At that time, he faced a lack of information and resources, but he persisted in his efforts. He was then introduced to the Chinese National Bamboo Research Center (CBRC) in Hangzhou, China, in 2012. Stamatis was one of 50 people from developing countries sponsored by the Chinese government to study at CBRC. He then explored the possibility of building with bamboo and found economic resources to make his ideas happen. Through his studies, he developed his skills and put them in service of developing bamboo research.
Stamatis also shared how his Chinese heritage played a role in his journey. His great grandmother was Chinese, and he grew up in a community of Koreans, Japanese, and Chinese in the northwest of Mexico. In Hanjo, China, Stamatis found connections with Chinese culture and was awarded a scholarship to pursue a master’s in engineering specializing in landscape architecture.
His mentor, Professor Ding YuLong, taught him everything about taxonomy, biology, and organization in relation to bamboo. Through his studies and work in China, Stamatis gained invaluable knowledge and skills in bamboo architecture and design.
Stamatis believes that conversations and knowledge sharing are essential to creating new ideas and advancing bamboo research. He credits the internet for making information more accessible and connecting people from all over the world. Stamatis is passionate about sharing his knowledge of bamboo with Mexico and the rest of the world.
Stamatis discussed his approach to democratizing bamboo as a construction material and explained the protocol of creation for bamboo architecture. He also highlighted the importance of refining decisions with portal engineering and cross-checking information with simulations before moving on to real-scale construction.
Democratizing Bamboo as a Construction Material
Stamatis believes in democratizing bamboo as a construction material, which means making it accessible to everyone. However, he acknowledges that it is not for everybody, as it requires a certain level of expertise and knowledge to use it effectively.
He compares this approach to democracy, which is open to everyone, but not everyone is interested in reading about different ideas or attempting to understand complex political concepts. Therefore, the democratization of bamboo as a construction material requires people to have a genuine interest in it and invest time and effort in learning about it.
The Protocol of Creation for Bamboo Architecture
Stamatis follows the protocol of creation for bamboo architecture, which involves five steps that help to refine the decision-making process. The first step is to analyze and understand the problem or idea that needs to be addressed.
The second step involves generating ideas and developing a direction for the research. This is followed by the third step, which involves refining the direction based on feedback and conversations with experts in the field.
The fourth step involves creating a physical prototype or model to test the design and make improvements. Finally, the fifth step involves producing a real-scale structure based on the refined prototype.
Stamatis emphasizes that the protocol of creation for bamboo architecture is not a fixed approach but rather a flexible one that can be adapted to different projects and situations.
Apply for a free diagnosis chusdoit.com/program
Refining Decisions with Portal Engineering
Stamatis stresses the importance of refining decisions with portal engineering, which involves using digital tools and simulations to cross-check information before moving on to real-scale construction. This helps to identify potential issues and make necessary improvements before investing time and resources into actual construction.
Cross-Checking Information with Simulations
Stamatis also highlights the importance of cross-checking information with simulations, such as earthquake and wind simulations, to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. He believes that using simulations can help to identify potential issues that may not be immediately apparent and provide valuable feedback for further improvements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Daniel Stamatis’ approach to bamboo structural design emphasizes the importance of democratizing bamboo as a construction material and refining decisions with portal engineering and simulations. His protocol of creation for bamboo architecture provides a flexible framework for designers and architects to follow in order to make informed decisions and create sustainable, eco-friendly structures. As the world continues to shift towards more sustainable practices, bamboo may become an increasingly important material in the construction industry, and Stamatis’ insights are valuable for anyone looking to incorporate bamboo into their projects.
