During 2021, Imagineer set out on an exciting period of R&D. At the heart of our work was the idea of bringing people together who wouldn't normally meet - artists, engineers, entrepreneurs and community groups. Alongside partners from across the UK and internationally, we researched the possibilities of working with bamboo.
This short film explains our R&D process and the exciting international collaborations we forged during 2021:
Bamboo Creative Exchange Lab
In May 2021, artists, architects, engineers and green entrepreneurs from the UK, Bali, India and Ghana came together for a Bamboo Creative Exchange Lab, led by Bridge2Bamboo artistic director Orit Azaz.
Working remotely, we exchanged ideas and experiences about designing, making and building with bamboo. We explored the tensions involved in developing bamboo as a sustainable building material for the planet.
Our thanks to Lab partners Bamboo U, Rhizome, Ghana Bamboo Bikes and Atelier One for sharing their expertise in bamboo design and build.
Pilot Community Projects
In autumn 2021, Imagineer worked with artists, partners and residents in Bourne, Redcar, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Coventry and Birmingham to explore the creative possibilities of bamboo grown in UK and Europe. Groups were involved in design and model-making, 3D sketching and crafting, all using bamboo.
The Monday Night Makers group at Imagineer's Daimler Powerhouse worked with sculptor Lucy Tomlins to explore the properties and design potential of UK-grown bamboo.
Monday Night Makers explore bamboo possibilities at the Daimler Powerhouse, Coventry
Community groups in Redcar, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool worked with artist Pete Gunson to explore what's possible with UK-grown bamboo. This beautiful structure was created for Redcar's Festival of Thrift.
Testing structures at the Festival of Thrift, Redcar
Artist Ling Tan worked with 15 local people and the staff of Winterbourne House and Garden, University of Birmingham, to propogate and nurture bamboo. They monitored their progress on a web-based platform, taking root.herokuapp.com.
Propogating bamboo at Winterbourne House, University of Birmingham
In Bourne, South Kesteven, members of the Don't Lose Hope community garden worked with artist Lou Jones to explore the use of bamboo as a sculptural material.
Testing bamboo at the Don't Lose Hope garden, Bourne
Our thanks to partners South Kesteven District Council, Festival of Thrift, Appetite and Winterbourne House and Garden at the University of Birmingham. Also thanks to artists Lou Jones, Pete Gunson, Kim Mountford, Lucy Tomlins and Ling Tan.