Form Studies: Bamboo Hyperbolic Paraboloids

Often used in contemporary Asian bamboo architecture, a hyperbolic paraboloid is a doubly-curved surface, simultaneously concave and convex. This deceptively complex form is actually made entirely from straight lines.

Every point on the surface is supported by two connected lines, and these many connection points mean the paraboloid’s shape becomes its strength.

The round bamboo pole is ideally suited to create paraboloids; the internal angles of a paraboloid mean rectangular or square forms cannot accommodate it. And bamboo grows big – meaning big paraboloids.

My love of bamboo began with hyperbolic paraboloids and I’ve prototyped many large and small-scale paraboloid structures.