Bamboo goes chic, NID gives ‘green gold’ stylish twist

The humble bamboo, also known as poor man’s wood, is all set to be the medium in which furniture design statements are made. In an attempt to popularise bamboo furniture, the research and design campus of the National Institute of Design (NID), in collaboration with the Guwahati-based Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), organised a month-long workshop with artisans from Assam.

The workshop, conducted by Susanth CS, coordinator, design for retail experience, (DRE), NID, was aimed at equipping artisans to create chic furniture that would be of a piece with modern interiors.

“What we usually see is bamboo furniture that is bulky and lacking in polish, full of creases. We want to train artisans to make foldable bamboo furniture, which is not bulky and also appealing, aesthetically,” said Susanth. He added that the NID had been engaged in innovation and experimentation with bamboo.

Artisans attending the workshop were taught, among other things, to make bamboo beds that are light and comfortable. “Traditional bamboo beds come in one piece. They are generally bulky. The beds we made were foldable and lighter.  The furniture we have built is made in various parts, and the parts can later be assembled,” said Sushanth.

To add to the comfort, cushions and cloth material are used.  “The strength-weight ratio of bamboo also supports its use as a highly resilient material. Above all, bamboo is a renewable raw resource from agro-forestry. Properly treated and processed, components made of bamboo can have a reasonable life of 30 to 40 years,” said Susanth.

Five Assamese artisans attended the workshop, and received training on using the latest technology in their work, to make elegant and light bamboo furniture. “These artisans will go back home and train others,” said Sushanth.

Gopal Mahanta, a bamboo craftsman from Guwahati, said, “The workshop has equipped me with many new techniques. I will be going back home to teach these skills to my fellow artisans.”