New ideas, new development. In Nanping, Fujian Province, China, bamboo materials are quietly changing the face of the city. Through the power of science and technology, altPlus is at the forefront of innovative projects using bamboo as a material to revitalise the local region. In the "Nanping Bus Station" project, the application of M Series™ LVB has made this station a sustainable building.
Nanping Bus Station
What do you think of when you think of "bus station"? For young people in cities, the subway system may be the first choice, but for older people and children in some areas, bus station can be a representation of local culture or a reminder of memories of growing up.
In this article, we will learn about the sustainable use of altPlus bamboo in the Nanping bus station, promoting new life in the area, and using the power of technology to create a low-carbon, green and sustainable “altPlus Solution”.
The Green Vision of altPlus
When China vigorously pursues the "Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative" national strategy, Nanping City is carrying out the implementation of specific programs.
Last year, the Nanping Municipal People's Government issued the "Nanping City to promote the ‘Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative’ model city construction implementation program (for trial implementation)", in the implementation of the program in the third specific measures, clearly put forward "in the landscape architecture, bus stops, exterior wall decoration and other scenes to be applied to the bamboo structure material "The guiding principle.
altPlus has always been committed to creating international standards that are trustworthy and will stand the test of time. It is this rigorous approach and cutting-edge technology that makes local project owners and contractors choose altPlus.
Project Renderings
Eric said：“altPlus has long been connected to Fujian, as both our founding members (Lily & Eric) have their background coming from Fujian. So even in the early days we have been working on establishing a footprint of new building technologies within the communities we serve there. The alignment of local materials to local function and use has always been a principal benefit.”
There have been some other small structures in the past using engineered bamboo but not that had used a modern design technique that could make the project cost effective and attractive for scalable applications.
Eric said：“ I remember we did a project in 2017 for the city of Fuzhou -- a similar Smart Bus corridor with significant structural elements designed using our M Series™ LVB, but the issue was the entire system was highly complex with other technologies and in the end the budget couldn’t afford both all the new technologies and our materials.”
But for the Nanping bus station project, we were well prepared. Simplifying the design while using complementary materials, steel and M-Series™ LVBs so that the project is a repeatable design that can be implemented on a large scale.
From design to construction, altPlus works with project owners to deliver on time and within budget.
The altPlus Practice Programme
Nanping is the hometown of bamboo and the station is a livelihood project. It is also the key to connecting urban development and people's lives. This project can better serve the local people and promote the application of sustainable bamboo in all aspects.
Cam of the altPlus product department said：“allPlus® M series™ LVB products refer to Laminated Veneer Bamboo, which is a structurally composite engineered bamboo material made from renewable bamboo resources. This series of products is made from high-quality bamboo species (Phyllostachys Edulis), which are cut and then hot-pressed using low-VOC (LEED-certified) structural-grade adhesives. Therefore, this series of engineered bamboo products has excellent dimensional stability, structural strength and good environmental properties.”
“This range of products was used in the columns, ceilings and seating areas of the station. The materials were sourced locally and local labour was employed for the work. On the one hand, local resources are fully utilised, and on the other hand, the economy of the region is boosted and costs are reduced. Cost can be an advantage if comparing to imported engineerd wood products , and is becoming more and more competitive with other timber products. In terms of sustainability , as a local, rapidly renewable raw material, that has many environmental beneifts, there is no match when comparing M Series™ LVB products to the market in terms of qualified structural materials and sustainability impact. ” Cam said.
M Series™ LVB engineered bamboo retains the natural color of bamboo and produces a straight-grain effect, providing a sense of stability.
At the same time, thanks to the high-quality weather-resistant adhesive and surface finishing system, the station does not have to worry about the damage of the material in the long term, and can maintain the design effect and the use of needs for a long time.
Whether it's the visual experience of a visitor or the styling requirements of a design, the M Series™ LVB meets the needs and delivers a better experience.
In particular, Cam mentioned that the materials for the Nanping Bus Station project were sourced locally, which is a good way forward. Our M Series LVB uses materials harvested locally and manufactured locally.
This is an critical feature of the project in that it demonstrates that our local economy and environment can be in total sync. Providing more opportunity for the use of sustainable bamboo resources that has historically been used in less advanced applications. This project may demonstrate the feasibility of these materials and the ability of them to scale with the broader needs of the market.
Small Station and Great Development
From design to construction and building, it's all about the hard work of every member of altPlus.
The first phase of the consturction of the various bus stops took place over the Christmas - New Year holidays, in advance of the Chinese New Year. After the Chinese New Year, the construction teams were going to return and finish the decoration and the detailed work.
Eric shared: "I recall visiting around New Years day and thinking, the structure looked great, and it need not futher decorate. The first phase revealed the steel strucutral components in relationship to the the structrual M Series (bamboo) materials and the combination looked perfect. But the design called for cladding the steel with decorative bamboo , so in a few months they would not be seen as a visual hybrid. My personal feeling was that all the materials looked at their best when they were visually working together as well as structurally. In the end the stations still look great, but there is something to be said for a design that communicates the materials directly and authenticallly. Either way, the results are positive, the materials will last a long time and remain a daily landmark for the city making small impacts every day. This is ultimately the fundamental requirement and everything else is bonus. "
In every project, altPlus maintains the most rigorous approach to the task, in all extense we endeavour to make them the best they can be.
At the same time, we are taking an international perspective to promote the usage and development of sustainable bamboo forest resources, making bamboo construction engineering applications a common solution. This is similar to the development of the mass timber industry in the North American and European markets.
Between 2016 and 2017, Canada Wood supported the development of forty single-storey timber service centres, which are located on both sides of the public walkway on the Bund, where thousands of people interact with them every day. It was an excellent public display of the material.
There is an abundance of resources, in China and abroad, which can be sustainably developed to serivce the growing needs of developed and emerging industries.The Nanping bus station as a "sustainable development" is a good start in terms of introducing new low-carbon, sustainable solutions.
Many public infrastructures are also changing the face of the city and contributing to the zero carbon goal, with altPlus also contributing to countless “altPlus Solutions”.
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