Natural building with reed and bamboo

Investigació Canyera focuses on natural building and applied research into using reed (Arundo donax) and bamboo in architecture. Its work includes constructing full-scale structures, teaching hands-on workshops, and sharing technical knowledge about these building methods.

Built projects

The project documents structures and installations completed from 2015 to 2019, including:

A ruderal-style beach bar in Vallcarca (2019)
A collectively built pergola at Horts Lúdics in El Prat de Llobregat, a site with more than 150 garden plots
A shade structure for the children’s area at Can Batlló (2018)
A Pam a Pam exhibition stand at FESC (2017)
Hotel Beauty in Llívia (2016)
An agora at Mas Marroch, Celler de Can Roca (2015)

Workshops and training

Investigació Canyera leads participatory reed- and bamboo-building workshops in educational and community settings. Examples include a greenhouse workshop at Horts d’Ecobodum in Rubí, proposed by Associació Ressò de Sant Muç; a practical workshop at Escola Taller de Bioconstrucció Orígens in Les Planes d’Hostoles; sessions for ETSAB’s Fusta Constructiva course (2018); a yurt-building workshop in Santa Coloma de Gramenet (2018); a workshop for GRETA’s traditional construction program (2018); and an experimental workshop at ETSAV (2016).

Structure rentals

The project rents a dismantlable geodesic bamboo dome. It can be partially or fully covered with cream-white, waterproof, fire-retardant PVC fabric and assembled indoors or outdoors.

Publications and outreach

The project published El uso de la caña en la arquitectura tradicional (The Use of Reed in Traditional Architecture), a book about working with Arundo donax in the Iberian Peninsula. The book is available through Llibreria La Capell, Llibreria Herrero, and the project’s Barcelona location, and can also be read online for free. Its work has been covered by EcoHabitar, ACE, GeocritiQ, and Smart Building magazine.

Contact

For inquiries, email info@voltes.coop or call 667 665 749 or 616 420 733. Investigació Canyera is a project affiliated with Voltes Cooperativa.

About Investigació Canyera