Tierre Verde Bamboo Hub

Bamboo treatment and training facility, multipurpose event and wellness venue, accommodation pods

Event Space Talparo, Trinidad

At a glance

Type

Bamboo treatment and training facility, multipurpose event and wellness venue, accommodation pods

Client:

Community-backed initiative led by Selva Edwards and Timothy Newton

Size:

Approximately 8,000 sq ft for Phase 1 and 4,000 sq ft for Phase 2, with landscaped outdoor zones and nature trails

Services:

Architecture design, masterplanning, design development, construction oversight

The Brief

The project sponsors wanted to create a bamboo-centered development that supports local employment, training, cultural engagement, and eco-tourism. Their goal was to establish a resource hub where bamboo could be processed, crafted, and celebrated through both education and community-focused events.

The Response

The design unfolds in two phases that build on each other. Phase 1 introduces a bamboo treatment and drying facility integrated with training spaces for craftspeople and carpenters. Phase 2 expands the site into a signature event and wellness venue, featuring a multipurpose hall, yoga and wellness pavilions, and small accommodation pods tucked into the landscape. Pathways, nature trails, and gathering spaces weave the site together, creating a coherent environment for learning, cultural events, and eco-tourism.

Material

Bamboo and earth build the foundation

Bamboo is positioned as the central structural and expressive material. The facility uses locally sourced and treated bamboo for posts, beams, shading screens, and architectural accents. Passive cooling strategies rely on open-air design and natural ventilation. Solar integration, rainwater harvesting, and the use of native plants support the project’s environmental goals while grounding the architecture in its local ecology.

Natural ventilation

Cross-breezes cool the training halls and event spaces without mechanical systems.

Water and energy

Rainwater feeds the landscape. Solar panels power the facility year-round.

Experience

Visitors move through a landscape that blends industry, learning, and retreat. The training facility feels open and collaborative, with visible bamboo processes that support education and transparency.

As guests transition toward the event spaces and wellness areas, the environment becomes softer and more contemplative. Landscaped zones, quiet pavilions, and bamboo pods create opportunities for reflection, community gatherings, and immersive cultural experiences.

Status and impact

Building momentum for sustainable construction

Currently in phased development.

Tierre Verde Bamboo Hub is intended to serve as a catalyst for sustainable construction practices in Trinidad, providing training, jobs, and a celebrated venue for cultural and wellness activities. It positions bamboo as both a viable industry and an inspiring architectural medium for the region.