Abstract
The human beings need to be in relationship with nature, but in the last centuries we are loosing this fundamental link. Especially in the building sector, the use of artificial materials and the intensive need of technological equipments to obtain internal comfort have amplified this gap.
Nowadays, the attention to the relationship with nature is growing and in the construction industry it is possible to work in this direction, for example proposing the return to the use of natural materials.
To reduce at minimum the impact of buildings construction on environment, the attention is focalized to natural removable materials and in particular on bamboo, appreciated for its eco-sustainability attitudes and for its good mechanical characteristics.
The paper’s aim is to draw the readers’ attention on this material, very often considered only as an exotic product, to underline how interesting can be its use in our projects and in everyday life.
Attention is given to the traditional way of using bamboo, the present production of building components and the potential uses of this material taking advantages from new knowledge and technologies.
Keywords: natural renewable material, building component, bamboo, industrial production.
Irene Caltabiano, Polytechnic of Turin, Italy