The jury committee of the 2019 International Bamboo Construction Competition (IBCC2019) announced the winners as the event closed in Beijing on July 19. 

Over 150 teams from around 30 countries entered in the IBCC2019 since the event started March in China. Each team had to present a standalone structure using natural or engineered bamboo. More than 70 teams from 12 countries submitted their designs online by the middle of May, and on June 5, a 15-strong shortlist was announced by the jury committee. 

House Loti, a lotus-shaped modern bamboo house, won the first prize in the competition. It's designed by Audrey Mertens and Fantine Fontaine from the University of Liege, Belgium and Qi Chen from University of the West of England, UK. The flowing and floral style was inspired by Audrey Mertens’ trip to Bali. Audrey, 22, is writing her master thesis on bamboo construction for housing in Bali, adding that her dream is to introduce the Balinese influence on bamboo. Qi Chen told CGTN that "as a Chinese architect studying aboard, it's a great opportunity to spread the culture and awareness of material bamboo abroad."

IBCC2019 is organized by the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), aiming at encouraging students to explore the potential construction applications for both bamboo poles and engineered bamboo products.

The top three teams built their competition structures in 3D at the INBAR Garden, International Horticultural Exposition in Beijing, China. 

Cui Kai, Chairman of the Jury of IBCC and academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, told CGTN that he learned a lot in the competition through students' bamboo projects because they used different approach and methods. "We should find some connection between the traditional and modern way of construction with bamboo under a cultural context,'' said Cui. 

Denamo Addissie Nuramo, chair holder of Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, said bamboo is used extensively in southern and southwest of Ethiopia, but that more interesting and durable bamboo products should be created. "We established a center to train students about the possible use of bamboo in the construction sector. By the time they leave college, they have the knowledge and skills to use bamboo," he said. 

Machine of Bamboo and in-BOX House, from China and Ethiopia, respectively, won joint second place. Machine of Bamboo was designed by Research Group in Industrialized Bamboo Construction System, Nanjing University. Architects Wu Huimin and Li Xiaonan together with designer Zhou Sicheng, who led the project, experimented with the potential of engineered bamboo. Zhou Sicheng explained the group used the lattice column to ensure the strength of columns and increase the sturdiness of the construction, which can hold 10 people.

Ali Mchumo, director general of INBAR, said on the award ceremony and celebration of IBCC that "due to a lack of capacity among bamboo construction professionals, bamboo’s potential in the construction sector has not yet been fully realized. INBAR is trying to work with our partners to redress the gap."

INBAR wants to bring awareness to global universities to use bamboo as a construction material and train students in that regard. The top three finalists’ structures built in the INBAR Garden at the International Horticultural Exposition in Beijing, China are on display to all visitors until October 10.