The invitation was for the launch of Arthaland’s Project BEAM, BEAM standing for Bamboo for Ecological Architecture and Materials; and the event promised to bring to reality the Philippines’ first commercial scale bamboo structure, as exemplified by the launch theme of “Life Built for Tomorrow.” Manila Bulletin was prominently billed as the official media partner for the event; and we were proud to collaborate with Arthaland on this first step toward a low-carbon, future-ready built environment. Arthaland has been a staunch supporter of our MB Sustainability Forum since it’s inception four years ago.

Project BEAM is Arthaland’s pioneering initiative to build the first commercial scale structure using engineered bamboo. In a true sense, it’s about moving from advocacy and intent, to action and execution. Arthaland is Asia’s first real estate signatory to the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, aligning with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi); and it took on a prominent role in the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN). With Project BEAM, this commitment of Arthaland to Sustainability finds focus in the three pillars of circular construction, carbon reduction, and inclusive economic growth.

As Arthaland Vice-Chairman and President Jaime C. Gonzalez was happy to declare: “This project reflects the evolution of our commitment. It’s about moving past operations and efficiency, to rethink the very materials that define the built environment.” And I could truly sense the enthusiasm and pride behind the words of Mr. Gonzalez, and how this was the start of a new dynamic chapter of the Arthaland Sustainability journey.

Held at the Blue Leaf, McKinley Hill Village; the launch brought leaders and experts on the future role of engineered bamboo in construction. And in a sense, it was a reawakening and realization that the bamboo has been omnipresent in our history, culture, and way of life – we cook with it, we sit on it, we weave it in banigs, and even live in homes made of bamboo – but we’ve left untapped its true potential, and have failed to explore it’s world of possibility.

This is precisely what Project BEAM hopes to rectify. The dream is to make bamboo a nature-based solution for the three pillars mentioned above and convert bamboo to a modern, high-performing, renewable, and low-carbon material, that can be used to build modern, high-performing infrastructure. For Arthaland Senior Vice-President and Chief Sustainability Officer Oliver Chan, this is the vision. And he remarked on how, “All of this started with meeting a few people by accident, and it’s by faith!”

As you read this, there is a 600 square meter medical clinic in Biñan, Laguna that’s being designed to achieve at least 20 percent reduction in energy and water consumption, and its structure will be made of engineered bamboo from the ground up. As Oliver was proud to add, “Instead of adding about 25,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide by using traditional construction materials, we are now taking away and absorbing about 24,000 kilograms.”

This BEAM structure will rise within Sevina Park, Arthaland’s master planned mixed-use estate in Laguna; the first in Southeast Asia to have received a LEED Platinum certification for Neighborhood Development, and a BERDE Districts 5-star Rating. Maxicare Healthcare Corporation is the tenant and partner for this facility, and furthers Arthaland’s commitment to defining true wellness as extending beyond the individual, and being embodied in the community – not just in the people, but even in the structures.

The global bamboo market is valued at $67.4 billion in 2024, and there are analysts who project growth of up to eight percent annually. With 1.5 million hectares in the Philippines suitable for bamboo cultivation and only less than 3.5 percent currently utilized, we are in a unique position to stimulate our rural economies, scale production, and hopefully, emerge as a regional leader in bamboo production and innovation. That bamboo embodies the principles of circular construction is an added incentive: it regenerates after harvest without replanting, and enables modular, lightweight and adaptable design which allows buildings to be repaired, reused, or repurposed.

A mini-forum was held on the day of the BEAM launch; and it was moderated by Yvette Tan, Agriculture editor of the Manila Bulletin. On the panel were Arch. Kristina Samantha Pobre, head of Sustainability at Arthaland, Hon. Jose Manuel Alba, First District Representative Bukidnon, Russel Smith of Rizome Philippines, and Prof. Ronniel Manalo, assistant professor at UP Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources. Updating building codes to include bamboo, strengthening incentives, expanding research and testing, and encouraging private sector demand, were just some of the topics discussed by the panel.

Indeed, it’s really about unlocking bamboo’s potential as a national climate solution; and viewing the material as viable for mainstream commercial construction – with the bonus values of driving inclusive economic growth, and elevating rural livelihoods. Arthaland is ready to help bring this forward.

Happy Happy New Year!