FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Asali is the sanskrit word for origin (asli in indonesian), so Asali Bali stands for Bali’s origins and perpetuates the bamboo tradition.
We provide engineering consulting for bamboo structures as well as professional construction for sustainable bamboo structure and roofing such as: hotels, restaurants, educational, residential, commercial, industrial, bungalows…and all other demand or request from the clients.
In order to provide a first estimation, we would like to know:
- The location of your project and topography levels
- The dimensions of the buildings
- The functions of your project
- First drawings and sketches from the architect
- Estimated timeline wanted
- Estimated budget if any to propose the most adapted solutions.
In order to promote bamboo material and construction, we can build bamboo buildings all over Indonesia and worldwide. Our activity so far is 40% in Bali and nearby, 50% on the other islands of Indonesia and 10% abroad. Please have a look at the map of the projects we have built so far.
We can build as high/width as the other type of structure. We will add more bamboo materials and structure sections when needed. A particular focus will be given to direct sun as well as roofing and moisture exposure for long lasting buildings.
Bamboo material and bamboo structures have 3 main causes of degradation:
- Insects: cellulose and starch present in the bamboo will attract the insect.
- Direct exposure to sunlight: UV will destroy the natural silicate protection of the bamboo.
- Permanent source of moisture: Above 20% of moisture inside the bamboo, mushrooms can develop and lead to rotten bamboo.
If the bamboo is exposed to 1 of this potential to cause a degradation, a lifetime of 6 months – 3 years is expected.
Once we treat the bamboo against the insects and adapt our design to protect the bamboo structure regarding sun and moisture exposure, there is no cause of degradation. With a regular survey in order to check this compliance it will last for long term.
We propose a yearly maintenance contract attached to structural guarantee which can be extended for 10 years.
(Cf Maintenance Contract / Guarantee)
By default, we include a 1 year guarantee for the bamboo structure. As a professional of construction, we propose a yearly maintenance contract attached to structural guarantee which can be extended for 10 years.
All the bamboo used are sourced in Bali, Indonesia. For particular types of projects, depending on the size, design, location and after a particular survey onsite, the bamboo material can be sourced and treated directly onsite optimizing transport and logistics.
For our constructions, the bamboo species most commonly used are:
- Bamboo petung (Dendrocalamus Asper): for columns and main beams
- Bamboo tali (Gigantochloa Apus): for rafters and roof structure
- Bamboo duri (Bambusa Blumeana): for railing and interiors
- Black bamboo (Dendrocalamus Asper Sp.): for original and classy rendering
Depending on the design wanted, the integration in its environment and the budget, all type of roofing can be used, such as alang-alang (thatch), pelupuh (flatten bamboo), tiles, zinc, green roof…
(Cf – Roofing Solutions)
Bamboo is a grass which grows fast and can get 20 to 30m in 3 to 6 month depending on the species.
For 3 to 5 years the bamboo will grow wall thickness and is mature to be harvested for construction.
Out of one clump of bamboo, an average of 20-30 bamboo culms can be cut yearly.
Everytime a pole is cut about 50-60cm from the ground, another shoot will grow directly out the clump.
Maintaining by cutting bamboo will allow the poles more space for the other culms to grow, straight and strong and will give a boost of energy to the plant.
Bamboo is not resistant to rain and sun, our buildings are designed to avoid direct exposure to sun and rain onto the bamboo structure. Applying a varnish layer will extend the durability as a suncream at the beach, but will not replace a nice umbrella.
We use an organic treatment with Neem Oil base in addition to Borac – Borix acid in order to treat our bamboo for long term usage.
As bamboo structure specialists, we focus on this particular and technical point to provide the best service possible. In order to have your project completed, please have a look at our professional partners.
Based on your drawings and design, we can facilitate the bamboo furniture with our local partners in the village.
Once the bamboo are properly treated against insects and the buildings well designed to avoid direct sun and source of moisture, the maintenance would consist in a regular checking (twice a year, once before the rainy season and once after)
By a regular visual inspection on the structure as well as humidity content, we check and insure the integrity and durability of the bamboo structure. The cost of the maintenance contract is 1% of the bamboo structure/year (out of transportation).
In addition to the maintenance contract and guarantee for the bamboo structure, you can get insurance to cover all the goods inside the buildings as well as covering against all types of risk not covered by the guarantee. In Indonesia, we can recommend Allianz and Abda Insuransi to propose a full complete insurance for your buildings.
Allianz: https://allianz-bali.com/property-insurance-allianz/
As a rough estimate, to build in Bali, bamboo construction starts around 1 juta/m2 (70$/m2) for industrial buildings to 3 juta/m2 (200$/m2) for residential buildings. This estimation includes bamboo structure, roofing and finishing (out of foundations, MEP, interiors and logistic).
The cost of bamboo buildings will depend on the location, the design, the function of the building and the interiors.
Once we realize the structural studies, we will provide final design, detailed quote and planning based on the final design adapted to each project and location.
- Foundations:
Will have to be done by a general contractor and are at the charge of the client. The foundations will have to be sized regarding loads on bamboo structure supports and soil tests analysis.
(Cf partners) - MEP:
When planned during the design, electric cables and sockets can be integrated in the bamboo columns. The electricity and plumbing have to be sized and installed by a professional to avoid any further damage in the integrity of the building.
(Cf partners) - Logistic:
- Transport of material: https://limajaricargo.com/?lang=fr
- Transport of the team and coordinator to the location site,
- Food and accomodation for the workers onsite,
- Administrative fees for projects outside of Indonesia,
- Sets of scaffolding to provide onsite when needed,
- Compresor to provide onsite when needed,
Once the bamboo quotation is approved, we require a deposit of 40-50% of the total cost in order to prepare material and teams. The balance is divided in between the other parts of the bamboo building depending on the size of the project and work to be done.
For all permanent construction, a building permit is required (IMB in Indonesia). The legislation and procedure will differ for each individual location/area. It usually takes 2-3 months to get the building permit once all the drawings have been submitted.
As bamboo is a natural material, it is usually allowed to build bamboo buildings in agroforestry areas. In addition, IMB processes are usually 50% cheaper than regular buildings in Indonesia.
We calculate the bamboo structure following international bamboo standards developed by INBAR (International Network for Bamboo and Rattan) based on Eurocodes calculation for timber structures. A 3D structural model including wind forces simulation is done to ensure the stability of the structure.
Winds:
In order to comply with Indonesian legislation and standards of construction (SNI 1727: 2013), a wind speed of 140,8km/hrs (39,1m/s) for strength design and 115,2km/hrs for serviceability design are considered. For projects outside of Indonesia, the local standards for wind speed will be applied.
Earthquakes:
As the bamboo is light and flexible, bamboo buildings are more resistant to earthquakes in comparison with other types of buildings. The coefficient of Fail Safe (Express the ability to withstand very strong external accidental stresses) will be 2,5 superior for bamboo than steel and timber structures and 5 times more than concrete buildings.
https://www.bambouscience.fr/category/science/
Depending on the category and location of the building, a seismic verification would be needed. For Indonesia, the level of importance regarding earthquakes is given on the national maps (SNI 1726: 2012). For other countries, we will comply with local legislation regarding earthquakes when required.
Bamboo poles have a natural layer of silicate on the top skin which protect against fire. The borax – boric salts used for the treatment add an extra protection.
For specific requirements an extra coating of fire protection can be applied on top of the bamboo poles.
Here are the 2 products we propose to applied (non exhaustive):
CBM: YouTube Video
Sika: YouTube Video
1 – First meeting and review of the project based on architects drawings for a first estimation and timing of your project.
2 – Architectural drawings (1 – 6 months). Please look at partners to meet with the architect the most adapted to your project.
3 – Structural studies and small scale models in order to ensure stiffness, durability and define together the best options for your project. (2 weeks – 4 months) A related quotation as well as estimated planning of construction for the bamboo building will be proposed at this stage.
4 – Once contracts are signed and deposit done, we will prepare the bamboo material and teams, transport of material (1 – 2 months)
5 – Bamboo construction (1 – 6 months). The foundations should be built with a local contractor or partners before installing the bamboo structure. Electricity and plumbing can be prepared as well. (1 – 4 months)
- Bamboo columns
- Roof bamboo structure
- Roofing
- Finishing on bamboo structure
6 – Delivery of the bamboo structure, interiors and landscaping
7 – Grand Opening!
Depending on size, design and function of the building, it usually takes:
- Ground area: 0-100m2: 1 month.
- Ground area: 100-200m2: 2 months
- Ground area: >200m2: 3-6 months
Bamboo teams are sized depending on each project between 6-22 craftsmen.