Presented at the Venice Biennale 2016, Symphony of Bamboos is an exhibition that investigates the role of bamboo across multiple dimensions of architecture and construction. The exhibit is structured around three interconnected readings of bamboo - as a metaphor, as a sustainable material, and as an engineering material, bringing together philosophical, environmental, and technical perspectives within a single narrative.

At one level, bamboo is positioned as a metaphor for an approach to architecture that is adaptable, efficient, and rooted in a symbiotic relationship with nature and society. At another, it is examined as a resource-efficient material capable of addressing key challenges of sustainable development, including environmental impact, economic viability, and social equity. The exhibit highlights bamboo’s capacity to support low-carbon construction, livelihood generation, and resource balance.

From a technical standpoint, bamboo is presented as an engineering material with significant structural potential. Its inherent properties, including high fibre strength and versatility, enable its use as an alternative to conventional materials such as steel and wood, as well as in composite systems suited to diverse applications.

The exhibition further brings together a body of work developed by Manasaram Architects and CGBMT, demonstrating the application of bamboo across housing, institutional, leisure, and infrastructure projects. Through these projects, the exhibit outlines a research-driven approach that integrates material innovation with spatial, ecological, social, and economic considerations, proposing a broader architectural direction rooted in natural materials and traditional knowledge systems.