Bamboo is a kind of , not a tree, yet some species can grow a meter in a single . Its stems are but very strong, and for its , bamboo can be as strong steel when it is pulled. it grows so quickly, it can be every few years without killing the plant. For these , architects are interested in it as a building material.

Bamboo has been used for building in Asia, Africa, and South America for thousands of years. In rural Thailand, it has traditionally been used for houses, fences, rafts, and bridges. Yet in many places, bamboo came to be seen as a poor person’s material and was replaced by concrete and steel as communities grew wealthier.

Bamboo does have real weaknesses. Untreated, it is easily attacked by insects and fungi and may last only a few years. It also varies in size and shape, which makes it harder to use than standard building materials.

Modern techniques have reduced these problems. Treating bamboo with boron salts protects it from insects. Engineers have also developed laminated bamboo, in which strips are glued and pressed into uniform boards and beams.

Interest in bamboo is growing because of its environmental advantages. Producing cement and steel releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, while bamboo absorbs carbon as it grows. Still, supporters admit that bamboo is not suitable for every building, and building codes in many countries do not yet include standards for it.