Expert 'bamboo knotters' flew in from Yogyakarta to create this tropical cousin of the white villa. In Yogyakarta, the home of artist and architect Eko Prawoto, bamboo is farmed and produced a lot.

The plant is as hard as concrete and as strong as steel, but very durable: it is the fastest growing plant in the world. Eko is known for his expertise in the field of the Indonesian bamboo tradition and art installations and projects that he makes for the community. Although bamboo houses are common in Indonesia, this colossal construction – almost as big as the white villa – was gigantic even by Indonesian standards. Unlike the closed stone villa full of doors and windows, there was always a breeze blowing through this open villa. In addition to the Stadsvilla, Eko was inspired by the open character of the Rietveld pavilion at the Kröller-Müller Museum during his visit to Arnhem.

During SONSBEEK ’16, children made small bamboo artworks in Bamburst under the guidance of the education team. The remaining time, Eko left the function of this knotted villa to the visitors. Sit in the shade inside, count the knots, or strike up a conversation with a stranger…