From parametric design to rural sustainability: integrating timber construction and craft revitalization in the IN BAMBOO project, Sichuan, China

This study investigates how parametric design can support sustainable rural regeneration through the lens of traditional timber and bamboo craft, using the IN BAMBOO Project in Sichuan, China as a case study. By integrating computational form-finding with local artisanal construction methods, the project exemplifies a culturally embedded approach to contemporary rural architecture. The research employs a mixed-methods strategy including design documentation, construction analysis, and semi-structured interviews with artisans and stakeholders. The findings highlight how the reactivation of traditional bamboo weaving techniques, when combined with modular timber components, fosters environmental responsiveness and community engagement. Furthermore, the architectural layout-characterized by a double-loop plan-demonstrates spatial adaptability for exhibition, accommodation, and communal use. The paper argues that such craft-informed, parametric timber construction not only contributes to low-carbon, regionally grounded architecture but also revitalizes intangible heritage through built form. This research contributes to the current discourse on culturally sustainable architecture in Asian rural contexts, offering a replicable model for integrating digital design tools with vernacular materials and skills.