Having the concern for that problem, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Task Force for Lombok earthquake designed some prototypes of shelter which is made out of bamboo. The shelter is useful for family or communal shelters. ITB also designed a prototype of temporary shelter using bamboo frames and plaster walls. On the same site, ITB also build ITB-Unram disaster relief post for coordination center during ITB-Universitas Mataram (Unram) relief action 3V Geodesic Dome.

The dome was initiated by Dr.-Ing. Andry Widyowijatnoko ST, MT from Building Technology Research Group of School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development of ITB. The dome will take place in Medana village, Tanjung district, North Lombok.

The construction has begun since 7th September and planned to be inaugurated directly by the Rector of Universitas Mataram. The construction process involves 10 persons, six students of ITB and four construction workers.

The shape of the dome is distinguishable from other posts. The shape resembles an upper half of a sphere and the frames are made of bamboos and particular frame connectors. “We have finished frame installment and will continue to install the outer cover membrane,” Dr. Andry said.

Dr. Andry explained that the design is based on 3V geodesic dome, and use 3 different bamboo lengths and three different connectors. The more different bamboo lengths and connectors are used, the more the dome takes smooth round shape.

There are 165 bamboo sticks required to build the dome and all comes from local. Only the steel bowl connectors and bamboo connectors are made and brought from Bandung. “Later, only the connectors will be brought back to Bandung, leaving the bamboos here. We will use the same pattern again as ITB post when emergency condition occurs on other places.” he said

Bamboo is chosen because it is available almost all around Indonesia, it is cheap, and it is the easiest to apply on temporary structure. Therefore, using geodesic dome as disaster relief post can save transport money in addition to promoting bamboo to local people.

Besides dome, the team has also made prototypes of temporary house made of Bamboo, prototypes of tarpaulin shelter using bamboo frames and raffia string connectors, as well as prototypes of 7 meter span bamboo tunnels with tarpaulin cover and raffia string connectors for communal shelter or temporary school class.  

“Besides bamboo, raffia string is used on shelter and temporary classroom prototypes as the connectors. Raffia string is available everywhere and cheap. The idea of making shelter and temporary classroom prototypes using bamboos and raffias is to offer the simplest technology for urgent need,” he said.