How to Build a Small Hut With Bamboo

Measure out the area where you want the bamboo hut to be, and mark it with chalk. The shape is purely a personal choice, but square huts make construction and especially roofing easier.

Sharpen the ends of the several bamboo canes with the knife and drive them at least 10 inches into ground with a hammer around the edge of the chalk outline. Arrange them so the roof will slope front to back.

Weave thinner bamboo canes in between the supporting canes horizontally around the structure. Fresh bamboo will be good for this as it is strong yet flexible. If the structure is square then weave each wall individually. If it is circular then it can be done in one piece if long enough bamboo canes are available or in two stages with the two wall structures meeting at the back.

Put these canes in at around 12-inch intervals all the way around the structure, remembering to leave space for the door. For extra support, dig holes with a spade instead of just forcing them in, and pour concrete into the hole around them to give extra support. The bamboo canes will need to be at least 8 feet long, including the sharpened end.

Secure the walls in place by knotting them with twine to the main supports and hammering in nails to add extra support. The walls can either be entirely bamboo weave or have just a basic cage structure. Alternatively, purchase bamboo matting and secure this to the supporting canes with nails.

Using the same weaving pattern, make a mesh structure out of bamboo on the roof and cover this will palm leaves. Secure these in place with twine. A bamboo roof can be woven completely, but this will take a lot of time and will still not be waterproof. For circular huts, drive in one large bamboo cane in the center of the hut and run others from the central pole to the outside walls, securing them with nails and twine. Weave in extra supports.

Cover the floor with bamboo matting or just leave it bare. Alternatively, split bamboo canes in half using a knife, lay them cut-side down on the ground and tie them together using twine.

Plant vines and creepers around the hut so over the years the hut becomes covered with flowers during the summer. These climbing plants will also give extra strength to the structure.