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.