Located on Majuli, the world’s largest river island, the traditional bamboo houses ‘Chang Ghar’ of the Mishing community are increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts, neglect, and shifting socio-economic conditions. These factors threaten both the island’s unique architectural heritage and the resilience of its local communities. In response, the “Heritage Reimagined: Resilient Bamboo Dwelling” was developed by MAATI to create a sustainable, disaster-resistant prototype that honours cultural identity while addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
Following years of intensive research and a successful on-ground workshop, this dwelling was conceptualised with a unique foundation system specifically designed to withstand recurring floods and earthquakes. The technique employs an innovative bamboo-reinforced soil foundation, in which 150 mm-diameter Bhaluka Bah (local bamboo) poles are strategically embedded 2.4 meters deep into a load-bearing grid. This network enhances load-bearing capacity, minimises soil erosion, and reduces settlement risks in Majuli’s moist, loose soil.
The project’s commitment to vernacular ingenuity earned the INTBAU Grassroots Grant Award in June 2025, leading to the dwelling’s construction in December 2025. Built entirely without steel, concrete, or nails, the structure utilizes only indigenous materials and local labor, reviving traditional craftsmanship.
While the design incorporates essential modern amenities – including a bedroom, kitchen with a modern facilities (possible incorporation of gas pipeline in future), and a bathroom with an attached toilet – it remains strictly faithful to the spatial and cultural character of a typical Mishing home. By blending traditional wisdom with modern adaptation, this prototype serves as a scalable, eco-friendly model for flood-prone regions, ensuring that Majuli’s architectural legacy is preserved and strengthened for future generations.
Project name: Heritage Reimagined: Resilient bamboo Dwelling
Typology: Residental
Location: Majuli, Assam
Year: 2024-2025
Status: Completed
Size: 1000 sq.ft.
Client:
Design team: Zarna Shah, Sanjukta Das, Maria Khan, Vani Bansal
Collaborators: Funded by Intbau, UK
Copyright: MAATI © 2025