Architect Apoorva Shroff has created a unique bamboo pavilion design at Ashoka University in Delhi. Named The Hungry Caterpillar, it covers 650 square meters and invites students into a space that feels both alive and safe.
Inspired by a caterpillar in its cocoon, the pavilion represents growth, learning, and a mindful connection with nature. Every curve and structure encourages exploration and reflection, making it a place where students can slow down, observe, and engage with the environment around them.
Bamboo Pavilion Design That Transforms Campus Life
Every part of this pavilion reflects care for the environment. The bamboo canopies, designed with Jans Bamboo and engineered by Atelier One, curve like folded leaves. They span up to 19 meters and form lightweight gridshells that provide natural shading. Slender bamboo woven at 45-degree angles supports crushed bamboo mats, keeping the space cool and breathable.
A Living, Sustainable Structure
The kitchens use 3D-printed concrete modules by Micob Pvt. Ltd., which save material and improve energy efficiency. Furniture from Placyle turns recycled plastic waste into functional seating. This approach reduces environmental impact while creating spaces that students can enjoy and interact with.
Small details, like natural light filtering through bamboo grids and shaded pathways, make the pavilion feel alive and immersive.
Paths, seating, and open areas encourage connection. Students can pause, explore, and engage with nature while moving through the pavilion. Not only a food hub, but it is also a space that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and mindful living.
The pavilion also hosts gatherings, workshops, and casual interactions, creating a community-focused environment within the campus.
Traditional Wisdom, Modern Execution
Bamboo forms the core of the pavilion, while modular construction and careful detailing give it structure and longevity. Every curve and module balances practicality and experience.
It demonstrates how sustainable architecture India can embrace natural materials and thoughtful design in educational spaces.
The Hungry Caterpillar shows that innovative campus architecture can be both low-impact and inspiring. This bamboo pavilion design combines recycled materials, modular construction, and nature-driven concepts to create a space where students can live, learn, and connect.
By integrating sustainability and modern design, the pavilion sets a benchmark for future educational projects, showing that eco-conscious choices can coexist with rich, human experiences.
Soon, designers will adopt natural materials and modular methods, shifting skills toward biomaterials, prefabrication, and systems thinking. This bamboo pavilion design signals practical change – clients will expect low-impact solutions, and firms will restructure teams to combine craft knowledge with digital fabrication expertise and local supply chains for resilience.
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