Our Founder

With over 30 years of experience in the Architecture and Sustainability sector, our founder Neelam Manjunath has been championing sustainability well before it became an urgent and necessary tool in combatting climate change.

“Living in harmony with nature can help reduce global warming, a knowledge that has been known for several decades.

However, despite this, we find ourselves facing climate disasters everywhere, which raises the question: why? I began exploring this puzzle early on in my career, even during my time as a student and kept encountering new challenges along the way. To my surprise, I discovered that the solutions to these problems often relied more on simple facts and a shift in perspective rather than complex technologies. This realization excited me, and I wanted to share this knowledge with the world, offering an easier path toward a safer, healthier, and happier world for future generations. This is how the Centre for Green Building Materials & Technology (CGBMT) was born.”

Bio

Ar. Neelam Manjunath is an architect, author, planner, scientist, activist, and theoretician. She has been practicing since 1991. Her architecture is distinguished for sustainability with a special emphasis on Bamboo. Her work has been published widely and presented in several national and international forums. She is on several technical committees on Sustainability and Bamboo. She is the CEO, CGBMT, Bangalore, doing R&D, applications, and training on Bamboo since 1999. 

She has delivered close to 175 lectures, and paper presentations, conducted close to 75 hands-on skilling national and international workshops,  projects and works have been published in over 20 countries in more than 10 languages conducted and participated in several exhibitions both in India and abroad including the prestigious International Architectural Venice Biennale 2016; and is running structured courses on bamboo from 2011 for various levels from Certificate to PG programs.

She has won several National and International nominations, awards, and honors for her works with Bamboo, sustainability and design.

Committees

  • Propritrix , Manasaram Architects (1991 to present)

  • CEO, Founder, CGBMT-School of Simple Living (2004 to present)

  • Convenor, WC-ADCET; Chair, Karnataka Chapter & NGCM, Bamboo Society of India; 

  • Member, National Governing Council, Bamboo Society of India (???)

  • Advisor , Sustainability  and Bamboo Affairs, DEI( Deemed University), Dayalbagh, Agra (2013 to present)

  • World Bamboo Ambassador, World Bamboo Organisation (2018 to present)

  • Member, International Technical Committee, World Bamboo Congress (2015, 2018, 2020)

  • Advisor, Karnataka State Bamboo Mission (2019 to present)

  • Key Expert, Bamboo Construction Task Force, INBAR (2019 to present)

  • Member, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage

  • Key Expert, Bamboo Construction Task Force, INBAR (2019 to present)

  • Member, Sub-Working Group on Bamboo Construction, Niti Ayog (2022)

  • C40 Women4Climate Bengaluru COHORT (2022 to present)

Awards and Nominations

  • Sir M Vishwesvaraya Prize(2005);

  • IIA-Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Award (2005),

  • World Architecture Community Awards (2013)

  • Lafarge Invention awards (2011)

  • World Architecture News Awards (2013)

  • Nomination- Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2013)

  • Lifetime contribution to Bamboo Sector, Bangalore (2014)

  • Archi Design Awards for Sustainable Design (2015)

  • The Merit List (2015-16)

  • Rashi-Dinesh Verma Award for Social Architecture (2016)

  • ARCASIA Awards for Architecture GOLD (2017)

  • 4 RTF awards: Cultural, Office Building, Transportation, and Housing categories (2017)

  • WADe Asia-Sustainability Champion(2017),

  • Fibra Awards (2018-2019)

  • ASADI Vastukala Mahati Award (2020)

  • Realty+ Women Of Vision Awards (2022)

Journey with CGBMT

2004

Registered CGBMT as a trust on 26th April 2004 for advocacy and eco-education; Exhibition & Paper presentation-World Bamboo Congress (WBC), March 2004, New Delhi. It opened my eyes to the vast possibilities with Bamboo, got the opportunity to share my work with global pioneers of the bamboo sector namely, Simon Velez, Suzanne Lucas, Linda Garland, Michelle Abidi and Dr. D N Tiwari.

2005

Conducted a National seminar on “Disaster management with bamboo” with IPIRTI, Bangalore in the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami. Collaborated with Seeds India for construction of rehabilitation house prototype at Hutbay, Little Andamans; Gave a paper presentation for World sustainable building conference (SB05) Tokyo “Bamboo in Architecture” sponsored by Govt of Karnataka.

2007-10

Construction of own residence House of five elements & office Bamboo symphony- a combination of mud+bamboo to develop a new vocabulary with extensive R & D.

2009

Gave a paper presentation at the World Sustainable Building Conference sb09, Melbourne, and at WBC, Bangkok.

2011

Launched BAT course, the 1st structured course on Bamboo in the world- PG, Diploma, and certificate courses; received the Lafarge Invention Awards for Innovative structural system, in recognition of bamboo for mainstream buildings.

2012-13

Won the World Architecture Community Award through the Voting of Honorary Members; Was nominated for the Aga Khan Award for Bamboo Symphony- recognition of bamboo-based buildings as a meaningful social solution.

2014

Signed an MOU with Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) & Madhya Pradesh Bamboo Mission for skilling and enterprise development. Conducted a 9-week Modular course in 6 cities in MP- Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore, Timarni, Rajaborari, and Bangalore- large-scale skilling, which is still ongoing; Conducted International workshop in Mulhouse, France, with Ecole Arts school Paris, HyperWorks Basel & Media School, Offenberg; Received a Felicitation for lifetime contribution to bamboo sector from the International Bamboo Conclave. Recognized by the Bamboo Society of India (BSI) for efficacy and garnered the support of sector peers.

2015

Gave a paper presentation on Mainstreaming Bamboo and Skilling in the Bamboo Sector at WBC in South Korea. Coined the phrase - ‘Mainstreaming Bamboo for an accelerated focused program’.

2016

Participated in the Venice Biennale- 6 months Exhibition, conducted workshops, lectures, and a book launch with the support of $30000 from Aditigreenscapes.

2017

Received the Rethinking the future Award for housing, transportation, office, and cultural categories-confirmed our vision of the possibility of Bamboo as a major building material

2018

Nominated as a World Bamboo Ambassador by the World Bamboo Organization; Conducted Global survey “Mainstreaming bamboo in the construction sector”, presented at WBC in Mexico for an in-depth understanding. 

2019

Elected as Chairperson, Karnataka Chapter, and NGC member, BSI; Received the FIBRA Award 2019: Featured in traveling exhibition and publication for Contemporary Plant Fibre-based Architecture; MOU signed with BMSSA, Bangalore, and AKTU School of Architecture, Lucknow for promotion of Bamboo and Sustainable Technologies in academics and skilling.

2020

Nominated as Key Expert-Bamboo Construction Task Force, International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR), joining an exclusive group of bamboo experts to work for Mainstreaming Bamboo in the construction sector. Conducted a joint webinar with INBAR.

Nominated Chairperson,WC, ADCE, BSI ; MOU signed with Council Of Architecture to promote Bamboo in Architectural education across 400 colleges in India; MOU signed with Karnataka State Rural development and Panchayat Raj University (KSRDPRU), Gadag for Development of Bamboo sector in Rural Karnataka through Research, innovation and skilling.

2021

Nominated Chairperson, WC, ADCE, BSI; MOU signed with Council Of Architecture to promote Bamboo in Architectural education across 400 colleges in India; MOU signed with Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (KSRDPRU), Gadag for Development of Bamboo sector in Rural Karnataka through Research, Innovation, and Skilling.

2022

Nominated by NITI AYOG as a member of the Sub-Working Group on Bamboo Construction formed by Niti Aayog, Govt. Of India to get an understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by the Bamboo Construction sector, develop strategies and roadmap for the development of the Bamboo- based circular economy;

Invited by World Resources Institute India (WRI India) and Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) as a consultant; Consultant to EU Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI) and Council of Architecture Training and Research Centre (TRC) for development of a Course on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency for Architects.

Selected as a C40 Women4Climate Bengaluru COHORT: Through the Women4Climate initiative, C40 aims to empower and inspire the next generation of climate leaders through a global mentorship programme dedicated to women in C40 cities; influence the conversation through leadership events and create new momentum and interest among future leaders; and raise awareness through research on gender, cities and climate to highlight the key role women play in championing climate action in cities.

2023

Workshops Conducted for CGBMT

  1. Building with Bamboo, 9 January 2021

  2. Master class on Bamboo rooted in our culture, 19 September 2020

  3. Bamboo-Selection, grading, treatment, and processing, 17 Cct 2020

  4. Bamboo Joints, Furniture, and Handicrafts, 14 November 2020

  5. Bamboo Structure, 12 December 2020

  6. Shell Structure with Sustainable Materials workshop on the occasion of the 15-year anniversary of CGBMT at CGBMT Headquarters, Bangalore from 5th – 9th November 2019.

  7. Bamboo Tree Workshop on World Bamboo Day at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, 18th September 2019

  8. Sikkim Training the Trainer workshop for Capacity building of artisans, product diversification for candidates from Sikkim at CGBMT, Bangalore, 29th April to 9 May 2019.

  9. Experiencing Bamboo XVII Workshop, 15 to 19 April 2019

  10. Construction with Bamboo workshop at Aditya Academy of Architecture & Design, 3 May 2019.

  11. 3rd World Bamboo Workshop, at Imphal, Manipur, 4 to 8 February 2019 for World Bamboo Organisation

  12. Crafting Buildings with Ar. Neelam Manjunath at Art Ichol Village, Maihar, December 2018.

  13. Experiencing Bamboo XVI‖ Workshop, 12 to 16 November 2018

  14. Bamboo Hands-on Workshop II, 8 to 12 April 2018

  15. Winter School for RVS School of Change ‖ – 18th – 23rd December 2017

  16. Experiencing Bamboo – XV‖ Workshop, 25th – 29th November 2017

  17. Experiencing Bamboo XIV‖ Workshop, 14th -18th September, 2017

  18. Conducted a 5-day workshop on Experiencing Bamboo, Building with Bamboo, Bamboo as a Material, and Disaster Management with Bamboo with a field visit to the Architect’s house and office(House of Five Elements and Bamboo Symphony), in September 2017

  19. Conducted a Workshop & lecture from 22nd to 26th April 2017 on Bamboo Application Technology

  20. Organized a hands-on design workshop from 5 to 9 December. This Workshop focused on Various aspects of Bamboo like harvesting, propagation, processing, and finally its use in furniture and product manufacturing.

  21. Conducted a workshop at Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy on November 25, 2016, in which people from all over the world came along to learn about bamboo sticks and create various models and symphonies.

  22. As a part of the Contact Lecture Week, CGBMT has organized a hands-on design workshop, in collaboration with the design festival- Designuru, which is spearheaded by IID, from 2nd to 10th April 2016

  23. Conducted a 3-day Hands-on workshop ―Experiencing BAMBOO-VIII‖ which included lectures with a demonstration of bamboo treatment, processing, and joinery techniques, on July 24 2015.

  24. Workshop On Bamboo Construction, FlexiSanShell© 2015-16 - a prefabricated-collapsible interim and permanent sanitation shelter was made during the Contact Lecture Week, 2015-16. Its applications include Quick deployment in disaster-affected areas, temporary setup for events, and use in rural areas.

  25. Conducted a workshop which included Hands-on Workshops (and lectures) on Bamboo Joinery and prefabrication, Enhancement of natural durability and Properties of Bamboo, on January 05, 2015.

  26. 'Cocoon'- Farmer's Pavilion' is the Product of a 3-week Design-Build Workshop conducted in Trichy, from November 04, 2014. The Project has been nominated for the President‟s Medal instituted by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

  27. Conducted a Workshop on Bamboo Application Technology. A hands-on workshop for Students, Architects, Engineers, and Designers to work with bamboo.

  28. Conducted a Workshop on September 18, 2014 to introduce the Craft of Bamboo Products that can have a market value.

  29. Bamboo workshop for students and Architects in Mulhouse, Paris on 31 May 2014

  30. Conducted Hands-on Workshop at International Bamboo Conclave & Expo – 2014 at GKVK, Bangalore from 22nd – 23rd February 2014.

  31. Conducted a Design Competition for Architecture Students, Architect & Product Designer at International Bamboo Conclave & Expo – 2014, at GKVK, Bangalore from 22 to 23 February 2014

  32. Conducted 10 days Workshop for Artisans from Coorg, Karnataka for Bamboo Construction at CGBMT, Bangalore from 5th – 14th February 2014

  33. Conducted 7 days Workshop A Lecture & Workshop Series on Bamboo Application Technology at CGBMT, Bangalore from January 2nd – 8th January, 2014

  34. Conducted a 1 day Bamboo in Architecture Workshop ‖ on November 6, 2013 at Sharda School of Architecture, Bangalore

  35. Conducted a 3-day Bamboo Application Technology Workshop ‖ from 28 to 30 October 2013 at Bamboo Symphony ‖, Bangalore

  36. Conducted a 3 months condensed Bamboo Application Technology Course for Madhya Pradesh Bamboo Artisans at Bamboo Symphony, Bangalore

  37. Conducted a 3-day Design Build Workshop Engineering the Vegetable Steel – Bamboo ‖ from 23 to 25 August, 2013 at the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

  38. Conducted a 5-day Design Build Workshop ―Sustainable Architecture and Bamboo ‖ for Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, Karnataka, Students from August 5th – August 9th, 2013, at Bamboo Symphony, Bangalore

  39. Conducted a 7-day Design-Build Workshop at BMS School of Architecture in Bangalore from July 22 to July 28, 2013

  40. Conducted a 1-day Hands-on Workshop at Bamboo Symphony, Bangalore on July 21st , 2013

  41. Conducted a 1-day workshop ―Career Counseling for School Students ‖ at iReboot, Indiranagar, Bangalore in May 2013.

  42. Conducted a 5-day Lecture and workshop Series on Bamboo Application Technology at CGBMT, Bangalore April 8th – 14th 2013

  43. Conducted 1-day ―Bamboo Workshop‖ for Tejpunj Resident, at Aditigreenscapes, Bangalore in February, 2013

  44. Conducted 5-days A Lecture & Workshop series on Bamboo Application Technology at CGBMT, Bangalore, Dec. 2012

  45. Attended as a jury for CEPT University, Ahmedabad as a Viva-Voce for Masters in Interior Architecture and Design.

  46. Workshop on bamboo spatial structures, bamboo bridges, bamboo in disaster management & entrepreneurship development; held at IPIRTI, Bangalore on 17th - 18th may, 2012.

  47. Conducted 3-days a lecture & workshop series on bamboo-based industries at CGBMT, Bangalore, may 2012

  48. Bamboo joinery workshop, conducted at Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bangalore on 29th - 30th march, 2012

  49. Bamboo treatment workshop, conducted at Indian Plywood Industries Research And Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bangalore on 26th - 28th march, 2012

  50. Bamboo products and handicrafts workshop, conducted at NID, Bangalore in January 2012

  51. Mud Block construction technology) at CGBMT, Bangalore Sep. 2011

  52. Conducted 3-days Workshop on ―Vernacular Architecture‖ (Bamboo & Stabilize

  53. Conducted 3-days Workshop on ―Rural Building Techniques- MUD AND BAMBOO‖, for students of Srishti School of Design, Bangalore, INDIA, sept ,2010.

  54. Conducted 4-days workshop on ―Designing beyond Sustainability‖ Dec, 2009 in collaboration with KSCST, GOK and CGBMT, Bangalore, at IISC, Bangalore.

  55. Workshop on Vernacular Architecture was conducted in 2010.

  56. Conducted 4- days Workshop ―Design beyond Sustainability‖ on Dec 2008.

  57. Organized a workshop ―Sustainable Buildings Solutions‖ on 25th November 2005 at ―The Bangalore Club‖ Bangalore.