CANCELLED – Bamboo Building Course – Florida – CANCELLED
Please note that this course has been cancelled this year and may be offered again next year.
Bamboo Building Course
Featuring Simon Velez and Marcelo Villegas
March 9 – 14, 2009
Hosted by: Tropical Bamboo and Kool Bamboo
Location:
Tropical Bamboo Nursery and Gardens, Loxahatchee, FL
This hands-on program is only the 3rd such course in the United States to be offered by internationally-recognized bamboo construction pioneers, Simon Velez and Marcelo Villegas. Join us for a unique opportunity to work alongside these experts and innovators in bamboo architecture.
Course Outline: This course is designed for anyone with an interest in bamboo construction: architects, contractors, green builders, students, bamboo enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers. No previous experience with bamboo construction is required!
The course officially gets under way on Mon, Mar. 9, but we encourage early arrivals to join us from 7.30-10pm at Tropical Bamboo Nursery and Gardens on Sunday, Mar. 8 for an informal evening of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Registration and orientation will begin at 8 am on Monday morning, followed by an introduction to bamboo (Guadua angustifolia) as a building material, and a brief overview of the special tools, techniques and methods used in both traditional and modern Guadua construction. Simon and Marcelo will also unveil the plans for the custom-designed structure to be built during the week.
Participants will work side-by-side with Simon and Marcelo throughout the week to realize the construction of their design using treated Guadua poles, concrete, rebar and threaded rod.
The hands-on, dirt-under-the-fingernails format of this course allows all participants to gain invaluable practical experience and affords ample opportunity to ask questions of the instructors. Discussions, Question & Answer sessions or photographic presentations at the end of each work day afford additional opportunity to learn about bamboo construction. The work week will be capped off with an opportunity to show off the new structure to hundreds of people at Tropical Bamboo’s annual “Bamboopalooza,” a celebration of bamboo and bamboo people with live music, food and drinks.
Special considerations: Any person interested in Bamboo Construction is welcome. Course participants will be working with heavy equipment and materials, power tools, and sharp objects. The terrain may also be uneven, wet or muddy. Suitable work clothes and sturdy, properly fitted shoes are required. Gloves and safety glasses or goggles are advised. Please consider that the course will take place outdoors, and while Florida usually enjoys sunny, dry weather and pleasant temperatures in March, participants should be prepared for unseasonable cold, heat and/or humidity or sudden changes in weather. Hats, sunscreen, rain gear and insect repellent are recommended. Please Contact Koolbamboo at 305.342.9426 or Tropical Bamboo at 561.784.2413 with any questions or concerns.
Accomodations: The course fees do not include hotel accommodations or travel to and from the course site. The nearest hotel to Tropical Bamboo Nursery is the Hampton Inn and Suites Wellington (ph. # 561-472-9696), located next to the Wellington Green shopping mall and many restaurants. Several hotels can be found in the vicinity of Palm Beach International Airport, which is about 20 minutes drive time from Tropical Bamboo.
Please note that the daily schedule of events is subject to change.
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Comment from Marjorie Carrillo
Time: February 19, 2009, 1:32 pm
I called Koolbamboo and they told me the course has been cancelled because not enough people signed up for it. It’s too bad because I am currently researching guadua angustifolia for my MRP, and this course would have been great for me.