EDS Bamboo Design Project

Focusing attention on bamboo, which is widely available in Asia, this project will involve the constructing of prototypes of structures, furniture, etc. using bamboo processed by the EDS system and the raising of design instructors with the aim of promoting technology transfer to developing countries and realizing sustainable societies.

EDS system

EDS (Ecology Diversity Synergy) is a system of increasing the strength and processability of materials through heating.

EDS-processed bamboo

EDS-processed bamboo, which was used to build the Japan Pavilion Nagakute at Expo 2005, Aichi, Japan, is a material that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) aims to transfer to developing countries.

Targeted areas

-Construction of living space, public space, and structures at times of disaster reconstruction.
-Support for the economic self-sustainability of developing countries through technology transfer.

GP Program

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology publicly solicits good practices in universities and colleges that address contemporary educational needs and respond to policy issues in society and provides selected projects with financial assistance.

Results of study

Students will learn about the culture of bamboo and the characteristics of bamboo as a plant in the General Culture Subjects (lectures), study the technique of using bamboo as a material in the General Art and Design Subjects (practice), and tackle the building of prototypes in the Specialized Subjects (practice). As a result of the study, it will be possible for them to be active as design instructors promoting technology transfer.

Educational curriculum

(A) A basic curriculum of lectures and practice to teach basic knowledge and technology
(B) A special curriculum conducted through the special courses of each department
(C) Extracurricular activities, prototype presentations at the time of graduation, and technical instruction in local places

Specific activities

Visit to Indonesia
The Project Team traveled to Yogyakarta and Jakarta, Indonesia, in October 2007 for the purpose of inspecting actual conditions of devastated areas. The party also visited a local bamboo grove, bamboo craft centers, the Trade Expo Indonesia 2007, etc.

Bamboo Workshop 2008
The Bamboo Workshop was held for two days in January 2008. Students participated in two groups. One group engaged in constructing a "light spherical structure" by making plates of EDS- processed bamboo and assembling them. The other group used from the same material to make chopsticks, traditional utensil of daily life in Japan.

Project execution framework

Musashino Art University
[General Cultural Subjects]
  General Education Course
[Specialized Subjects]
  Department of Industrial, Interior, and Craft Design
  Department of Architecture
  Department of Science of Design
[Support and Contact]
  Research Promotion Center
Cooperative Institutions
EDS Laboratory, Inc.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Indonesia Design Center (under negotiation)
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (under negotiation)