從「貧民建材」到高端建築：竹材如何成為主流建築材料？

在全球暖化、氣候變遷與資源短缺問題日益嚴峻的當下，建築產業對於可持續材料的需求空前高漲。竹材，作為一種快速生長、低碳排放且具備高度強度的天然材料，正逐步獲得國際關注。然而，在菲律賓，竹材長期被視為「貧民建材」或「臨時性解決方案」，未能獲得主流建築市場的充分應用。

Kawayan Collective Agriculture Cooperative（簡稱 Kawayan Collective）正致力於顛覆這一刻板印象，透過創新處理技術、品質保證、產業教育與市場拓展，將竹材推向更廣泛的應用領域，讓其成為永續、可靠且具經濟價值的建築材料。

As global warming, climate change, and resource scarcity become increasingly urgent issues, the demand for sustainable materials in the construction industry has reached an all-time high. Bamboo, a fast-growing, low-carbon, and highly durable natural material, is gaining international attention. However, in the Philippines, bamboo has long been regarded as a “poor man’s material” or a temporary solution, preventing it from achieving widespread adoption in mainstream construction.

「我們的願景是讓竹材成為主流建材的一部分，」Kawayan Collective 共同創辦人艾美·維拉紐瓦（Amy Villanueva） 表示。「竹材不應該只是一種權宜之計，而是一種長久可行的解決方案。透過科學化的處理與工程技術，我們證明竹材的耐用性，使其成為能夠與混凝土和鋼材匹敵的選擇。」

Kawayan Collective Agriculture Cooperative (Kawayan Collective) is working to challenge this perception. Through innovative treatment technologies, quality assurance, industry education, and market expansion, the company aims to push bamboo into broader applications, transforming it into a sustainable, reliable, and economically viable building material.

"Our vision is to make bamboo a mainstream construction material," said Amy Villanueva, co-founder of Kawayan Collective. "Bamboo should not be seen as just a makeshift solution but as a long-term, viable alternative. Through scientific treatment and engineering, we are proving bamboo’s durability, making it a strong competitor against concrete and steel."

打破竹材「短暫性建材」的迷思

傳統上，竹材建築主要被應用於農村地區、偏遠社區或觀光產業中的度假村設計，許多人仍認為竹材不夠耐久，容易受潮、受蟲害侵蝕，無法成為穩固的建築結構。然而，Kawayan Collective 透過科學化處理技術與先進的建築應用，成功挑戰這些長久以來的迷思。

1. 嚴格的處理技術與品質保證

Breaking the Myth of Bamboo as a "Temporary" Material

Traditionally, bamboo construction has been primarily used in rural areas, remote communities, or resort designs in the tourism industry. Many still perceive bamboo as lacking durability, susceptible to moisture and pest infestations, and unsuitable for stable building structures. However, Kawayan Collective has successfully challenged these long-standing misconceptions through scientific treatment techniques and advanced architectural applications.

1. Strict Treatment Processes & Quality Assurance

竹材的天然成分確實容易受蟲害侵蝕，傳統建築中的竹材壽命通常僅有 5 至 7 年。然而，Kawayan Collective 採用創新的 化學處理、熱壓技術與密封保護層，顯著提升竹材的耐用度，延長使用壽命至 20 年以上。

「最大挑戰之一是改變市場對竹材的看法，」艾美表示。「我們提供一年保固，保證竹材品質，如果出現蟲害問題，我們會免費更換材料。這項承諾不僅提升客戶信心，也樹立了可持續建材的新標準。」

此外，Kawayan Collective 鼓勵客戶 親自參觀生產與處理過程，讓他們了解竹材如何經過多道科學處理，以確保產品的高品質與耐久性。

2. 市場教育與產業培訓

為了進一步推廣竹材的應用，Kawayan Collective 積極與建築師、工程師及承包商合作，提供竹材建築的設計與應用培訓。透過這些教育計畫，公司正在改變市場對竹材的認知，並推動竹材在主流建築中的應用。

「我們不只是提供建材，而是提供完整的解決方案，」艾美補充。「透過專業培訓，讓建築專業人士了解如何運用竹材，使其發揮最大的建築潛力，進而吸引更多人採用這種可持續材料。」

Bamboo is naturally prone to pest infestation, and untreated bamboo structures typically last only 5 to 7 years. To combat this, Kawayan Collective employs chemical treatments, heat compression techniques, and protective sealing layers, significantly enhancing bamboo’s durability and extending its lifespan to over 20 years.

"One of the biggest challenges is changing the market’s perception of bamboo," Villanueva explained. "We offer a one-year warranty, guaranteeing the quality of our bamboo. If pest issues arise, we replace the material for free. This commitment not only builds customer confidence but also sets a new standard for sustainable construction materials."

Additionally, Kawayan Collective encourages customers to visit its production and treatment facilities to understand firsthand how bamboo undergoes rigorous scientific processes to ensure high-quality and long-lasting performance.

2. Market Education & Industry Training

To further promote bamboo applications, Kawayan Collective actively collaborates with architects, engineers, and contractors, offering training on bamboo design and construction techniques. Through these educational programs, the company is shifting perceptions and driving bamboo’s adoption in mainstream architecture.

"We don’t just supply building materials - we provide complete solutions," Villanueva emphasized. "Through professional training, we educate construction professionals on how to maximize bamboo’s potential, making it more attractive for adoption as a sustainable material."

竹材在現代建築的突破應用

Kawayan Collective 的竹材產品已成功應用於多個重大建築項目，包括 菲律賓最高的竹材建築——杜馬蓋地（Dumaguete）的竹子亭（Bamboo Pavilion），這座建築不僅展現了竹材的強度與美學價值，更徹底顛覆市場對竹材僅能用於小型結構的傳統觀念。

此外，Kawayan Collective 推出的 可調式與可擴展的「竹材組合屋」 也獲得市場熱烈回應，該產品為低收入家庭提供了一種經濟可行的住房方案。這些組合屋不僅能適應不同地區的氣候條件，還可根據使用者需求進行擴建，極具靈活性與永續性。

「我們希望竹材成為可負擔住房與高端建築的共同選擇，」艾美強調。「它不應該只是一種過渡性材料，而是能夠真正支持未來建築發展的關鍵材料。」

Innovative Applications of Bamboo in Modern Architecture

Kawayan Collective’s bamboo products have been successfully used in major construction projects, including the tallest bamboo structure in the Philippines - the Bamboo Pavilion in Dumaguete. This landmark structure not only showcases bamboo’s strength and aesthetic value but also challenges the traditional belief that bamboo is only suitable for small-scale structures.

Additionally, Kawayan Collective’s modular and expandable “bamboo housing units” have received strong market demand. These affordable housing solutions cater to low-income families while offering climate adaptability and flexible expansion options, making them both practical and sustainable.

"We want bamboo to be a viable option for both affordable housing and high-end architecture," Villanueva stressed. "It should not be seen as just a transitional material, but as a key material supporting the future of sustainable architecture."

業務擴展與未來展望

自 2019 年成立以來，Kawayan Collective 的業務增長迅速，從最初的 7 名員工擴展至 40 人，目前 75% 的客戶來自菲律賓中米沙鄢地區（Central Visayas）。

1. 擴展全國版圖

2. 持續擴大市場影響力

「我們的成長證明了市場對可持續建材的需求正在提升，」艾美表示。「從最初只有一位顧客、300 萬披索營收，到如今突破4 億披索，我們深信未來的市場潛力無限。」

Business Growth & Future Prospects

Since its founding in 2019, Kawayan Collective has experienced rapid growth, expanding from seven employees to 40. Currently, 75% of its customers come from the Central Visayas region of the Philippines.

1. Nationwide Expansion

2. Increasing Market Impact

"Our growth proves that the demand for sustainable materials is increasing," Villanueva said. "From having just one customer and PHP 3 million in revenue in our first year to surpassing PHP 400 million today, we firmly believe in bamboo’s immense market potential."

關於 Kawayan Collective

About Kawayan Collective

Kawayan Collective Agriculture Cooperative 是一家專注於竹材處理與應用的永續企業，致力於提供高品質、耐用且環保的竹材建築解決方案。透過創新技術與市場教育，該公司正在改變市場對竹材的認知，並推動全球永續建築發展。

Kawayan Collective Agriculture Cooperative is a sustainability-focused enterprise specializing in bamboo processing and applications. The company is dedicated to providing high-quality, durable, and eco-friendly bamboo construction solutions. Through innovation and market education, Kawayan Collective is transforming perceptions of bamboo and driving the global advancement of sustainable architecture.