At Edinburgh Napier University, we are at the forefront of innovative research into alternative sustainable solutions for the construction industry. 

Problem:

The construction industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for over 30% of the total emissions generated by human activities. Recognising the urgent need to address this issue, the industry is actively exploring innovative solutions to minimise its carbon footprint. 

Solution:

Our Edinburgh Napier academics and researchers are driving groundbreaking advancements in the use of bamboo and timber as transformative solutions for modern construction practices across the globe.

World-first innovation through versatile, bamboo-timber composition 

Bamboo-timber composite material is a versatile resource, well-suited for constructing gridshells—doubly curved, shell-like structures formed from interconnected grid patterns. By layering bamboo with timber, these designs achieve both strength and graceful flexibility, offering great potential for sustainable large-span roofs in the future.

Experts from Edinburgh Napier University first showcased the potential of this sustainable bamboo-timber composite material at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow in 2021. This achievement was followed by the construction of the world’s first large-scale bamboo-timber composite gridshell in China in 2023, and Europe’s first at our Merchiston Campus in 2025.

Sustainable solutions through multidisciplinary collaboration 

From construction and civil engineering to computing and advanced technologies, this groundbreaking research and implementation projects brings together researchers and experts from diverse disciplines. The complex design of the bamboo-timber gridshell involves rigorous material testing, alongside advanced tools such as virtual reality toolboxes and VR projections. These cutting-edge technologies are essential for designing intricate structures of the bamboo-timber gridshell, and they play a pivotal role in training the next generation of innovative engineers.

The innovative designs of the bamboo-timber gridshells have captured widespread interest, attracting attention from global construction and engineering industries eager to explore its potential applications. Its quick assembly, disassembly, and reusability highlight it as a transformative solution for creating greener, more sustainable construction practices.