How bamboo design is reaching out to rural India

Sangaru Design Studio
(Image credit: Fram Petit)

One of the most inspiring stories emerging in Indian design is that of Bamboo. This however, is not simply a tale of designers creating cutting-edge aesthetically driven products from eco-friendly material; this is about a holistic approach to sustainable design that is empowering artisans in rural India to become self-sufficient.

In Tripura, a state in the north-east where bamboo is cultivated, young designers are coming up with simple products that minimise the use of hardware, are sourced locally and develop local skills. Rebecca Reubens, who runs social design firm Rhizome, which works with the Kotwalia community of Gujarat, has taken the project one step further by opening her own retail outlet, Bamboo Canopy, to provide a vital link to the urban markets these communities are so removed from.

The drive is supported by design programmes at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, which has produced a raft of designers in recent years, including Sandeep Sangaru, Andrea Noronha, Manali Beri, Rajiv Jassal, Garima Aggarwal and M P Ranjan, who are all innovating new techniques for working with bamboo.

Sangaru Design Studio

'The Tree' bookcase by Sandeep Sangaru for Sangaru Design Studio

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

Flying bird' coat hanger

'Flying bird' coat hanger by Rajiv Jassal, from the National Institute of Design, India

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

'Bo' table lamp

'Bo' table lamp by Andrea Noronha from the National Institute of Design, India

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

Laminated stool

Laminated stool by Manali Beri from the National Institute of Design, India

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

Tripod stool by Garima Aggarwal

Tripod stool by Garima Aggarwal from the National Institute of Design, India

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

Cube stool

Cube stool by M P Ranjan from the National Institute of Design, India

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

Tessellation' coaster

'Tessellation' coaster by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

'Kids' hanger by Rhizome

'Kids' hanger by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

Bamboo pillar candle holder 

Bamboo pillar candle holder by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

Bar mitzvah' bamboo stopper candle stand

'Bar mitzvah' bamboo stopper candle stand on reused bottle by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy

(Image credit: Fram Petit)

'Branch' hat stand

'Branch' hat stand by Rhizome, from Bamboo Canopy

(Image credit: Fram Petit)