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Proposal for a soft and textured orchid greenhouse. Coastal desert eco-systems are amongst the most fragile environments on earth. The ever-changing ocean moods interacting with land generates erosion and requires flexibility, porosity, and resilience. These natural forces strongly influenced the design for a greenhouse for orchids at Casa Wabi. Bamboo columns will be bound, arranged, and CNC’d into a sun light diffuser, water collector, and support for a draped ETFE skin.
Tuned quantities of diffused light and significant humidity is the ideal environment for most orchid species. Oaxaca has a wonderful natural temperature range, but added humidity and shading will be required, as well as shelter from the wind and pests. ETFE is cost effective and 1/50th the weight and material quantity of glass. Bamboo is a wonderfully strong, rapidly renewable, and an inherently flexible structural material. The techniques of bundling and milling bamboo poles will be brilliantly varied and will expose nooks for hanging and supporting orchids in all growth phases. Using minimal natural lightweight materials paired with modern construction techniques, skinned with an ultra-lightweight, flexible, and taught surface.