Estudio Damgo III: A Filipino Design+Build Studio

Last November 2014, the team started working on their project by preparing all necessary materials for the project. We also held a workshop conducted by some bamboo experts for the students to learn how to deal with bamboo and the use of different equipment in a safe way. 

It was a bit of a challenge in gathering all bamboo due to the sheer amountbut the team was able to cope with it and meet the required numbernecessary. The student-leaders cut, cleaned and treated the bamboo and wood at Talay, Dumaguete City. There were also volunteers who generously supported the team by giving their time and assistance.

The treated materials were then brought to Foundation University’s North Campus to begin the fabrication of the various parts of the structure. The team was divided into two, some of us worked in Talay to finish treating the bamboowhile others were assigned to the workshop at the North Campus of Foundation University. The seniors along with the school workers realized the complexity of the task but were consistently working together for the completion of the project. Currently, the platform modules are still under construction, two out of the four are completed.

On the 12^th of December 2014, Estudio Damgo received an email from Yeon Ju Cho, recognizing its success in making it to the first screening in the World Bamboo Design Competition. There were a lot of entries and fortunately, the project was selected as one of the best. An online voting was conducted for the second screening but the results are not yet given.

The team had a series of conversations and conference calls with their Seaflex partner. The company shared their knowledge with us regarding how to best install the anchoring system to the seabed. The students submitted the required information and gave their input to come up with the most ideal connection for the project. Sea flex in Sweden is very excited and is considering having us featured with The Marine Sanctuary Center in one of the upcoming issues of Marina World Magazine.

There were two benefit concerts held last November 28, one at Foundation University Main Campus and another on December 12 at Hayahay Treehouse Bar. The Belltower Project, consisting of various local artists shared their talents for free. The modest money raised will be used toward the cost of the project and in realizing the floating structure.