Our Vision
Jamboo is a collaboration between architects, engineers and artists who envision a new model for development in Jamaica, employing the natural wealth of Jamaica.
We are in the process of developing two innovative and forward-looking nonprofit projects to spark the growth of Bio-Fiber Architecture in Jamaica.
Having worked on green architecture initiatives in Jamaica since 2016, the Jamboo collaboration eagerly embraced the opportunity to scale up presented by Bamboo BioProducts’ 2020 announcement that they would be constructing a $340 million bamboo pulp factory in Frome, Westmoreland. While the creation of the factory will provide much needed jobs and revenue, the Jamboo team believes the factory also has the potential to bring even more transformative change to Jamaica.
We seek to take advantage of the new building technology made possible by the factory to foster green development made in Jamaica, by Jamaicans, for Jamaicans.
We’re Making Connections
The Jamboo team has developed close ties to the Bamboo Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ), and through BIAJ has made connections with the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) as well as teams working developing green building methods in Columbia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.
Structural design by Esteban Morales, PE
Casa Congo has provided us with a wealth of information, including a connection to Esteban Morales, a top bamboo engineer in Columbia. Morales has reviewed our design and has determined that it is feasible.
Full culm bamboo construction refers to techniques that use round bamboo. In Jamaica, this technology is in the early stages of development and the Jamboo project, the first of its kind in the country, will depend heavily on the expertise and resources of neighboring countries, especially Nicaragua and Columbia.
Summer 2022: short edit of Jamboo zoom meetings
Jamboo is “Jamaica” and “Bamboo”
Our Story
It has been said that architecture is a form of music and music is a form of architecture. If that is so, the music of Jamaica—deeply rooted in all aspects of everyday life and embracing religion, history, culture, and tradition—demands an equally compelling architecture to match it.
In May 2021 two Jamaicans, 80-year-old architect and former Cooper Union professor Rod Knox, and 28-year-old musical artist Jamar McNaughton, aka Chronixx, formed an unlikely collaboration by way of David Adler, of Gensler (Chronixx fan, architect, and former student of Rod Knox.) This partnership is working together to create an architecture that honors the homegrown sensibilities and expansive reach of Jamaica’s music.
This is the “Jamboo” partnership.