The Bamboo Playhouse is a public pavilion set on a tiny island in the big lake that runs through the center of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest and most scenic park, the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Formerly known as Lake Gardens, the park has long been considered the green lung of the city. Originally created as part of a recreational park but planted with collections of tropical plants, the garden has not only botanical collections but also houses recreational features and gives visitors a sense of being in a tropical rainforest rather than the middle of a bustling metropolis. The Bamboo Playhouse is one of those recreational features.
It was inspired by traditional vernacular structures known as wakaf that were originally found in Malaysian villages. A series of wakaf were grouped together to form an artistic and playful bamboo design that blends harmoniously with greenery. The use of bamboo in modern structures is uncommon in Malaysia, but this assembly investigates its possibilities as a sustainable construction material.
The pavilion is made up of thirty-one similar square decks positioned at varying, seemingly random heights, creating a quirky three-dimensional floorscape. Additionally, tiny treehouses made of bamboo baskets are hung from the columns and add another playful and whimsical aspect to the structure.
The structure serves as a public shelter and rest area, as well as a venue for exhibitions, concerts. The Bamboo Playhouse is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For visitors seeking interesting photos for Instagram, this is a do not miss.