Author: Base

BASE Bahay Foundation (BASE), a recognized global leader in bamboo bamboo-based research and technology, today announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the U.S.-based International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) to build safer, eco-friendly homes that address urgent housing needs in vulnerable communities across the world by establishing official global standards for structural bamboo construction.

Under the partnership, ICC-ES and BASE will assemble an industry-first group of international experts to develop global Acceptance Criteria documents for structural bamboo, creating code-compliant pathways for this alternative building material.

The new Acceptance Criteria will form the basis for official Structural Bamboo Evaluation Service Reports (ESRs). These reports will rigorously confirm that bamboo buildings meet all safety standards, providing architects, builders, and government officials with the necessary confidence to specify, design, and build with structural bamboo.

“Working with ICC-ES is a significant step toward strengthening confidence in structural bamboo as a reliable building material. By supporting the evaluation and recognition of bamboo within established codes and standards, this collaboration helps formalize its use in mainstream construction,” said Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez, BASE General Manager.

“Incorporating bamboo into regulatory frameworks not only ensures safety, quality, and performance but also unlocks wider adoption of a regenerative, low-carbon material. Ultimately, this paves the way for more resilient, sustainable, and accessible building solutions for communities that need them most.”
Bamboo has been a cornerstone building material for thousands of years across South Asia, East Asia, and Central and South America, recognized for its affordability, rapid growth, and environmental benefits.

Despite its rich history and immense potential, especially in regions facing significant economic and environmental challenges, structural bamboo has largely lacked formal, independent evaluation for code compliance in modern regulatory frameworks. This collaboration, spearheaded by BASE, represents a pivotal step towards establishing the technical foundation required for its widespread adoption.

BASE will play a critical, leading role in this effort by identifying and engaging global subject-matter experts for the working group. The foundation will also actively involve structural bamboo producers from participating countries and ensure that the resulting ESRs are aligned with real-world construction practices and existing technical research. These contributions are vital to guarantee an evaluation framework that supports regional capacity building and encourages the broader adoption of structural bamboo as a safe and resilient building material globally.

ICC-ES will contribute its established expertise in testing, inspection, and certification services for structural bamboo, facilitating its global acceptance and boosting confidence in its use as an innovative building solution. Initial efforts will focus on critical markets such as Colombia, the Philippines, India, and Indonesia, with future expansion planned for Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Malaysia, Mexico, and Nepal – all regions where demand for safe, permanent, and sustainable structures is exceptionally high.

Said Chris Fennell, Vice President of Global Business Development for ICC’s Conformity Assessment Group (ICC CAG): “This collaboration reflects ICC-ES’s continued global growth and its mission to help create a safer built environment while addressing urgent housing needs. By combining technical evaluation, code development support, and product evaluation, ICC-ES is helping expand broader code acceptance of both traditional and innovative materials, including structural bamboo, in a way that supports regional adoption and long-term resilience.”

The new global rules for bamboo building are targeted for completion by late 2026, with official reports and tests expected to be finalized by early 2027.

Base Bahay Foundation, Inc. (BASE), a pioneer in sustainable building technologies, successfully showcased bamboo’s transformation into a high-performing construction material at WORLDBEX 2026, the Philippines’ premier building and construction exposition held recently at the SMX Convention Center.   BASE’s participation at WORLDBEX marked a significant turning point, positioning bamboo beyond an alternative to a mainstream, resilient, and eco-friendly solution to modern building challenges.

At the heart of BASE’s presence was the WORLDBEX Lab, a modern structure strategically placed at the SMX lobby, which was designed to introduce visitors to the innovation and sustainability of advanced bamboo construction, offering a future-ready building solution.

The Lab is produced by BASE in partnership with Kawayan Collective, an agriculture cooperative and one of its supply and treatment partners, specializing in treated, construction-grade bamboo design and supply. It is constructed entirely from BASE’s proprietary Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT) wall panels. The high-impact experiential installation showcased research, technology, and real-world application of modern bamboo within a built environment.  Thousands of visitors interacted with The Lab and the second-floor booth, showcasing a rising confidence in bamboo’s capabilities.  

BASE also hosted a WORLDBEX Summit session that drew a full house of participants, including engineers, architects, students, and sustainability advocates, reflecting a growing interest in regenerative building solutions for contemporary challenges.

“Our participation at WORLDBEX 2026 was more than just an exhibition; it was a declaration that bamboo is ready for the mainstream,” said Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez, BASE General Manager.  “The overwhelming interest and engagement show that the industry is beginning to recognize bamboo as a serious, scalable, and future-ready solution. We are not just promoting a material; we are advocating for a more resilient, eco-friendly, and economically empowering approach to construction.”

Amy Villanueva, Co-Founder of Kawayan Collective, added: This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to sustainable, bamboo-based solutions and marks an exciting step in bringing innovative, climate-resilient construction to a mainstream audience.

With a staggering 188,689 visitors at WORLDBEX 2026, BASE transitioned bamboo construction from niche conversations into mainstream industry attention and dialogue.  The success at WORLDBEX reinforces BASE’s leadership, building on its global track record of over 2,300 CBFT structures, sheltering more than 12,000 individuals, and achieving over 40,000 tCO2 savings.

“For the past 29 years, WORLDBEX has brought together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the globe, creating meaningful connections and showcasing the groundbreaking innovations that continue to shape our industry,” confirmed Mr. Joseph L. Ang, Founding Chairman of Worldbex Services International.

Echoing this sentiment, Leo Z. Salonga, Marketing and Communications Manager for Worldbex Services International, added, “One of the most meaningful highlights of WORLDBEX 2026 was our collaboration with Base Bahay Foundation. Their display at the WORLDBEX Lab was more than an exhibit—it was a testament to building opportunities and sustaining lives through purposeful innovation.”

At the BASE Innovation Center in Makati City, the building components and systems are rigorously tested for resistance against typhoons, earthquakes, fire, and insect infestations, offering exceptional durability and safety. CBFT extends beyond residential uses, proving its versatility for non-residential structures like schools, community centers, offices, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings.  Beyond resilience, bamboo-integrated construction significantly contributes to climate action; lifecycle assessments show it can reduce embodied CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to conventional concrete systems. Finding sustainable solutions is increasingly urgent, with the construction industry responsible for 39% of global CO₂ emissions and 10–11% from embodied carbon. Bamboo offers a faster, more cost-efficient alternative that requires no heavy equipment and can be used for both structural and non-structural applications. Maturing in just 3–5 years and producing significantly more biomass than conventional timber, it is also engineered to withstand disasters due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. In addition, bamboo enhances thermal comfort by naturally regulating indoor temperatures, making it a practical, low-carbon solution for resilient construction. For more information on Base Bahay Foundation, Inc. and its transformative projects, visit www.base-builds.com.

Mindanao proudly inaugurated its first sustainably-constructed school today at Landan Elementary School in Polomolok, South Cotabato.  This pioneering project, in partnership with Dole Philippines, AY Foundation, Mahintana Foundation, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the local government of Polomolok, marks a significant stride in building resilient and environmentally conscious education infrastructure.

The 175-sqm, two-classroom school building was constructed using BASE’s proprietary Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT) combined with a bamboo truss system.  This innovative design offers safer, more sustainable, and disaster-resilient learning spaces. Designed to meet the Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) standards, each classroom also doubles as an evacuation center during typhoons, reflecting a proactive approach to community safety.

The initiative is a core component of the Adopt-A-School Program (AASP), a classroom development program funded by Dole Philippines and A.Y. Foundation, Inc.  The AASP aims to uplift grassroots tri-people communities in the upland areas of Sarangani and South Cotabato Province by improving academic performance through enhanced access to quality education.

“This project demonstrates what can happen when we combine innovation, partnership, and a shared sense of purpose,” said Dole Philippines Senior EVP and FPG President, Masazumi Nishikage.

Added April Evangelista of RCBC, representing A.Y. Foundation, added: “This classroom is more than a structure.  It is a symbol of hope, sustainability, and shared commitment to education.  Built with care and purpose, this represents a future where learning spaces are strong, inclusive, and rooted in community collaboration.” 

The school building was built by the Philippine Army’s 549th Engineer “Kapayapaan” Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, showcasing a powerful multi-sectoral collaboration in fostering climate-smart schools that empower communities. The partnership was formalized with a Memorandum of Agreement signed on October 1, 2025, during the groundbreaking ceremony.

“The inauguration of Mindanao’s first CBFT school is a testament to what we can achieve when innovation meets dedication to community and environment,” said Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez, BASE General Manager. “We are not just building classrooms; we are building a more sustainable future. This technology offers a scalable solution to the nation’s classroom backlog, providing resilient, eco-friendly structures that also boost local economy. We invite more government agencies and organizations to join us in making this vision a global reality.”

CBFT structures undergo rigorous testing against typhoons, earthquakes, fire, and insect infestations, ensuring exceptional durability. Beyond resilience, CBFT school buildings demonstrate that sustainability and robust construction can coexist. Lifecycle assessments show that bamboo-integrated construction can reduce embodied CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to conventional concrete systems, significantly contributing to climate action.

“Improving access to quality education for our upland IP communities is central to the Adopt-A-School Project,” stated Liza Duropan-Lopez, Executive Director of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. “This CBFT school provides a safe learning environment and serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for our tri-people communities, reflecting our commitment to inclusive development.”

The Philippines faces a staggering nationwide classroom backlog of approximately 165,000 classrooms, a challenge that could take decades to address at current construction rates. Experts suggest building at least 7,000 classrooms annually for the next 15 years to substantially bridge this gap. CBFT offers a viable, innovative solution to this urgent need.

DepEd Education Program Supervisor, Michael Poblador expressed gratitude, stating, “We are incredibly grateful for the collaborative spirit that brought this pioneering Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology school to fruition in Mindanao. This initiative directly addresses our urgent need for more classrooms while providing safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient learning spaces for our students. We commend BASE Bahay Foundation and its partners for showcasing an innovative solution that holds immense potential for scaling across the Philippines, helping us build a more robust and future-proof education infrastructure.”

The versatility of CBFT extends beyond school buildings. This technology, accredited by the Accreditation of Innovative Technologies for Housing (AITECH) by the National Housing Authority, is also suitable for non-residential structures like community centers, offices, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings. This demonstrates bamboo’s significant potential as a flexible and sustainable construction material for diverse infrastructure needs.

BASE, through its implementing partners, has already completed four (4) school buildings with two (2) more under construction, and another 2 upcoming projects across the Philippines, reinforcing its leadership in bamboo construction. Globally, BASE has built over 2,300 CBFT structures, sheltering more than 10,500 individuals and achieving over 40,000 tCO2 savings. Furthermore, CBFT supports local farmers by establishing a value chain, creating livelihood opportunities, and upskilling workers through technical training, fostering a more sustainable future for all.