Words and Images BASE Bahay Foundation and Bamboo U
Editing The Kanto team (Bamboo Housing Challenge)
Can a material be sustainable, structurally resilient, and cost-effective enough to help house a climate-change-battered world?
This is the provocation behind the Bamboo Housing Challenge, an international competition co-organized by BASE Bahay Foundation (BASE), Bamboo U, and the HILTI Foundation. The contest challenges architects, engineers, builders, designers, and students to pivot away from high-carbon materials and explore how bamboo innovation can provide dignified, tropically responsive shelter to disaster-prone communities.
The mission: design a bamboo home prototype that can be built for USD 10,000 (PHP 578,395 as of February 18, 2026). By anchoring the competition to a strict price point, the organizers aim to showcase the material’s versatility, clarify perceptions of bamboo’s strength and reliability, and harness its potential as an economical material option for vulnerable communities. As proof in the pudding, the winning design will be built at scale in Bali, Indonesia, during Bamboo U’s 11-day immersive course in late 2026. It will serve as the permanent residence of a member of the local community.
The competition builds on BASE’s more than a decade of established success. As the pioneer of Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT)—an AITECH-accredited system that combines load-bearing bamboo with mortar cement—BASE has already sheltered thousands of families with disaster-resilient bamboo housing from the Philippines to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and other parts of the world. The foundation now aims to push the envelope of what is possible. The time has come to innovate on these proven foundations, inviting global perspectives to help define a new generation of homes grounded in community and nature.
Criteria
To succeed, entries must demonstrate a rigorous balance of technical and social factors. The jury will prioritize designs that are affordable and realistic, utilizing innovative approaches to cost-effective construction without compromising on quality. Proposals must be durable and adaptable, proving they can withstand diverse environmental conditions while remaining environmentally responsible by maximizing bamboo’s sustainable benefits. Lastly, the winning entry must be informed by human-centered living, prioritizing comfort, functionality, and community, while remaining visually inspiring to showcase the full aesthetic potential of bamboo.
The Jury
Anna Heringer
An Austrian architect and honorary professor of the UNESCO Chair of Earthen Architecture, whose practice focuses on the intersection of local material use and community resilience. Her work has received international recognition through honors such as the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the OBEL Award.
Simón Vélez
A Colombian architect recognized for his pioneering work with Guadua bamboo, a material he has developed into a permanent structural medium for modern engineering. Vélez is widely credited with transforming bamboo from a vernacular resource into a globally respected building material, as evidenced by projects in over 11 countries.
Luis Felipe Lopez
The General Manager of BASE Bahay Foundation and a co-author of the Colombian Bamboo Structural Design Code (NSR-10). An expert in structural engineering, he has worked with bamboo for over 25 years, helping develop the bamboo building standards globally, where he currently leads the refinement of Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology
Orin Hardy
The co-founder of Bamboo U and director of PT Bamboo Pure, an educational company specializing in empowering people to build with bamboo, and a construction company specializing in bamboo-specific architecture. Hardy’s work integrates the circular economy into the construction sector, including the establishment of ChopValue Bali to utilize urban bamboo waste for industrial-scale manufacturing.
Elora Hardy
The founder and creative director of IBUKU, a design studio known for complex bamboo structures and residences that utilize innovative treatment and joinery methods. Hardy’s work elevating the material’s aesthetic and structural profile has been featured at TED Global and has significantly influenced global perceptions of sustainable luxury architecture.
Luis Echeverría
A Mexican architect and the General Manager of Bamboo U, with over ten years of experience in bamboo construction and eco-building practices. Echeverría’s background includes winning multiple international architectural competitions and integrating digital fabrication and modern aesthetics into sustainable design.
Winning Entry
The winner will receive flights and accommodation for one representative, free participation in the 11-day course (valued at USD 2,775 or PHP 160,505); opportunity for up to two additional team members to join the course at no extra cost, and global recognition through a printed and digital publication featuring top entries. Honorable mentions, if any, will be announced, with all proposals to be accessible through the Bamboo U Research Vault after the selection process.
Joining the Competition
BASE and Bamboo U invite all innovators passionate about sustainable design and social impact for an unparalleled opportunity to realize their ideas and ideals. Interested participants must register by March 15, 2026, with the submission deadline on April 17, 2026. The winning entry will be revealed on May 15, 2026, while construction in Bali will commence between October 23 and November 3, 2026.
Registration involves a tiered fee structure. From February 9 through March 15, 2026, the standard entry fee is USD 280 (PHP 16,195). Students are eligible for a reduced rate of USD 140 (PHP 8098) by submitting a valid ID to contest@bamboou.com to receive a registration coupon.
“We firmly believe bamboo holds immense potential to revolutionize sustainable and affordable construction globally,” said Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez, General Manager of BASE. “This challenge is a direct embodiment of our mission to push the boundaries of bamboo construction, inviting the world’s brightest minds to contribute to solutions that are not only environmentally sound but also dignified and accessible for vulnerable communities.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/TheBambooHousingChallenge2026 for more information.
Competition Partners
BASE Bahay Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides socialized housing through Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT), an AITECH-accredited system that combines the resilience of bamboo with the permanence of concrete. To date, BASE has sheltered thousands of families across the Philippines and internationally through a network of sustainable, disaster-resilient communities.
Bamboo U is a Bali-based educational enterprise dedicated to teaching the art and science of bamboo design and construction. Through immersive courses and collaborations with world-class architects and engineers, Bamboo U bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainable architecture.
HILTI Foundation is a joint venture of the HILTI Family and the HILTI Group that supports innovative projects that improve the lives of people in need. The foundation focuses on affordable housing and vocational training, empowering organizations like BASE to scale sustainable construction solutions globally.
