Disaster-Resilient Visitor Centre Using Cement Bamboo Frame Technology Handed Over to ICIMOD’s Living Mountain Lab

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Disaster-Resilient Visitor Centre Using Cement Bamboo Frame Technology Handed Over to ICIMOD’s Living Mountain Lab

Disaster-Resilient Visitor Centre Using Cement Bamboo Frame Technology Handed Over to ICIMOD’s Living Mountain Lab

Ganesh Khatiwada 2026-01-28 13:17:00

Kathmandu - A newly constructed Visitor Centre built using Cement Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT) was officially handed over to the Living Mountain Lab (LML) of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) on Thursday, marking an important step toward promoting sustainable and disaster-resilient infrastructure in mountain regions.
The handover ceremony was attended by Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD; Shekhar Ghimire, Director of Administration, Finance and Operations at ICIMOD; and Eliza Sthapit, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Nepal. Representatives from the implementing partner E.K.G. Builders Pvt. Ltd. were also involved in the initiative.
The Visitor Centre has been constructed using CBFT, an innovative and disaster-resilient construction system that combines traditional bamboo with modern engineering techniques. The system uses treated bamboo poles as structural posts and beams, while prefabricated bamboo panels reinforced with steel mesh and finished with cement plaster form the walls. Mechanical connections integrating bamboo with metal and cement ensure structural stability, and raised concrete foundations protect the bamboo from ground moisture, enhancing durability.
According to ICIMOD, CBFT has been tested to withstand small to medium-scale earthquakes and typhoon-level winds of up to 275 kilometres per hour, with a design life exceeding 50 years. The technology offers a low-carbon, cost-effective, and climate-resilient alternative to conventional construction, particularly suited to fragile mountain environments.
The newly handed-over Visitor Centre at LML will serve as a demonstration space for Living Mountain Lab innovations and products. A small display area showcasing vegetables and plants grown at LML has been set up to allow visitors to better understand sustainable mountain agriculture and local biodiversity practices.
The project was made possible through collaboration between ICIMOD, Habitat for Humanity Nepal, and E.K.G. Builders Pvt. Ltd., reflecting a shared commitment to promoting resilient, sustainable, and locally appropriate building solutions for communities living in disaster-prone mountain regions.
The Visitor Centre now stands as a living example of how nature-based materials and modern engineering can work together to address climate risks while supporting sustainable development in the Himalayas and beyond.

Published Date 2026-01-28 13:17:00