Freyr’s Bamboo Home (Sky-Kubu) – Bali

Freyr’s Bamboo Home (Sky-Kubu) is a project to create social inclusion for my daughter Freyr, and to make sustainability accessible and affordable to everyone. Built by myself (Natalie), local craftsmen and international helpers in 2017-18, my Vision is for a cooperatively managed inclusion model that supports the needs of people with disabilities and their families to have quality of life experiences – where we are able to contribute meaningfully and have a sense of belonging through helping together, spending time IN-COMMUNITY ; where everyone’s contribution is valued whether physical, financial or through less tangible means…

For 6 years from 2017 to 2023 my daughter and I lived in Freyr’s Bamboo Home (West Denpasar) – Bali, with our local staff.  Freyr had great quality of life with peers at Matahari Terbit Foundation (part of the Sunrise School) and care from our local community. After she turned 20, and couldn’t attend school anymore, I made the difficult decision for her to return to Australia and be supported as an adult in the Disability Care system there while I developed Bamboo Creative Bali as a business and initiative to make bamboo building affordable and accessible, and to be able to include Freyr in supported inclusive community programs.

I want to be able to offer the kind of Help and Support We had experienced – during our journeys in SE Asia – and be able to Pay it Forward for other parents and families in need of support: To be able to get some peace of mind (and a break from) fighting for our Loved One’s rights and Well-Being. I aspire to offer other families the same kind of help and support that we were fortunate to receive. Parents and caregivers should not have to struggle alone. 

I would like to make Freyr’s home  place where sustainability, creativity, and inclusion are interwoven —a space where people, regardless of ability, can participate meaningfully. I’m currently working with a local company who coordinate volunteer programs and sustainability activities to help manage Freyr’s home while she is away and so there will be fun and action going on when Frey comes home to stay (she has to spend 6 months a year in Aus to keep her funding entitlement to NDIS). 

I need help to get things operating and to conduct maintenance on the roof which is in desperate need of repair as it’s leaking and the grass is wearing thin and disintegrating. 

I would like to ask for help in getting the roof repaired/replaced so that the structural integrity of the house remains intact. I don’t have the personal funds right now to cover the quoted cost of $3500 – and if I can raise an additional $1000, I can get the better quality membrane which would last longer and have less chance of leaking again. We still have 7 years remaining on our land lease… Now I’m based in Belega (about an hour away from the house) where I am working on building other example bamboo structures at Belega Eco-school. I was considering just renting/selling the house but after meeting Bito and Ayik from the local PT i mentioned – I feel synergy and support to keep creating Freyr’s Bamboo Home as what it was intended to be – A place where Freyr can live in a fun inclusive environment and have friends, peers and support to live her best life!

Thanks for your support.

If you’re interested in joining us, please get in touch via the CONTACT FORM

Building Freyr’s Bamboo Home

Inspired by our stays with local families in the Philippines and combining traditional and modern BAMBOO design with EARTHSHIP principles (utilising waste and recycled materials and living food systems); we aim for the design to be accessible and (more) affordable for local populations in developing countries (tropical/semi-tropical regions). The method aims to be Non-toxic, to minimise waste and maximise self-sufficiency; and to demonstrate village-scale preservation and production techniques with bamboo (affordable low-cost technology) that ensures sustainable local resource use and encourages local awareness and education on zero-waste principles.

Standing 13 metres high, our Bamboo TINY HOUSE EARTHSHIP borders the Seminyak Rice Fields in Bali, neighbouring with Bali Street Kids project and is based on a traditional Lumbung/Rice barn design developed near Jogjakarta in Java (brought to Bali by Djuka of Farmer’s Yard Permaculture Hostel). The original “knock-down” design has been elaborated into a “Bamboo Earthship Treehouse/Sky-Kubu” and is able to be built by 4-6 people. The design aims to be an example of how bamboo can be utilised in the “modern sense” and COULD appeal to developing country populations who have existing knowledge and skills in building with bamboo (which are currently at risk of being lost due to the common perception that bamboo is “only for poor people – or just for the very rich”).

With more than 70% of the global population living on less than $10/day, in tropical/subtropical climates, bamboo could be a vital game-changer in turning around ecological decay (one aspect) – However, there are not many examples of bamboo “architecture” which the majority of the world’s population can/could afford or aspire to use. I personally believe that it’s vital that, as ‘westerners’, we use our “privilege” during these times of (Post)-Colonialism to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources for building with bamboo which can be applied locally to “modern” ways of living.

Bamboo Workshops

While maintaining the intrinsic knowledge and cultural roots of bamboo which span many countries, generations and traditions, we hope to help others to appreciate and learn the SKILL required to work with and understand this material in a hands-on way. From constructing structures with bamboo to engaging in various creative and tactile crafts and activities that shape our space, we value the creative contributions and ideas of all involved.

In addition to this, I am committed to creating an inclusive and sustainable community that nurtures and supports individuals with disabilities, while also fostering an environment of learning, growth, and social connection. This dedication extends to promoting accessibility and equal opportunities, paving the way for a more equitable and integrated society. Come and spend time with us, and help to evolve this model of inclusive community-building and regenerative restoration 🙂

By bringing awareness to, and re-thinking our existing system of economics while balancing those which currently rely on “cheap labour”, we aim to give value to this cultural knowledge and ensure that it is maintained. I see bamboo (all aspects of it) as a pivotal means to encourage local development which can sustain livelihoods, encourage innovation, and cooperation. Furthermore, the integration of bamboo into different aspects of our lives can lead to a reimagining of housing, inclusivity, and economy, creating new opportunities for affordable and eco-friendly solutions. And, by harnessing its potential, we can not only regenerate local economies worldwide but also contribute to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Through creating community collaboratively, we strive to create a sense of ownership and belonging.

Eco-Cultural Leader Network & Revivement Village Building

The Revivement Village Project and Eco-Cultural Leaders Community Development Program is an initiative not just about constructing physical infrastructure, but about fostering a sense of belonging, learning, and cooperation among members. The emphasis on welcoming, educating, and sharing experiences underscored by our commitment to inclusivity and knowledge exchange, laying the groundwork for a truly thriving community-village network that encompasses ecological education, training in bamboo building, and integration of traditional skills with modern technologies.

By contributing to local life through community projects and workshops that raise awareness about sustainability in practical ways… providing enriching quality-of-life experiences for people with special needs, their carers, families, support staff and friends… Indirectly finding compatibilities, common strengths and building towards a community-living environment where our kids can spend more time and form lifelong relationships… We can begin to Live the theory/practice of becoming part of the ‘greater process’ of Consciously cultivating a culture we want to be a part of. “

These are the fundamental aspects/levels at which you can become involved in building this community right now…

• Join our Bamboo Workshop Programs
• Join Creative Activities at Friends of Freyr’s Bamboo Home
• Co-invest in Sustainable Bamboo Building Prototypes / Outreach Programs
• Vital Light Village Membership
• Corporate Sponsorship

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Family Revivement Programs

We invite you to see how bamboo and up-cycled materials can be used in urban living. At Freyr’s Bamboo Home, we offer community participation support for people with disabilities and their families visiting Bali. We invite you to join our inclusive activity program here, or in Belega, and to engage in immersive experiences such as natural building, tactile crafts using bamboo, cob, eco-bricks, and recycled materials, and a variety of nature-based activities. Parents can take the time they need to be in retreat and have time for themself/selves. Kids (they will always be our ‘kids’) are treated as part of our family. Explore, learn, and develop new skills and through playful involvement.

We are evolving a time-share model where local and international families can be part of an inclusive community model here in Bali. At a local level, we aim to maintain traditions and promote the value of bamboo as a sustainable building material and resource, enabling its revival and enhancement in local communities. Through uniting traditions, practicing weaving, craft skills, and other right-brain activities, we aim to develop programs for Intentional Inclusive Community Initiatives which reconnect us with local culture, traditions, and skills. An environment which allows us to feel part of a family and just BE and experience life with a common purpose, joy, and love. I feel this is the gift our Angels without Wings are here to bring to humanity.

Social Exchange Program

Through our Social Exchange Program, Creatives and Skilled Professionals can offer their skills and experience to assist us to develop programs and relationships with our local community (minimum 6 week commitment). In the overall picture of our project, we aim to invite creative individuals/groups who can contribute knowledge and skills to enrich our social fabric, built environment, gardens/ food-growing, and health/sports/activities areas – creating a more family-like experience… Where people are recognised as MORE than just as ‘volunteers’ … at a co-contributor level and as members of our village network/s with whom we may have an ongoing collaborative relationship…. through our Family Retreats Program everyone may participate and benefit, regardless of their financial status/capability.. We plan to host Family Retreats 1-2 times per year… please get in touch if you are interested to collaborate.

VIP programs at Freyr’s Bamboo Sky-Kubu

Come and get lost in Bamboo! Join us for Introductory Day Workshops in Basic Bamboo Carpentry skills, Bamboo Design and Model-Making Skills. We will share our experience about building with bamboo and some know-how about design of bamboo buildings….

For practical hands-on opportunities to learn carpentry and crafting skills join our Day Workshops focused on carpentry, design and construction with bamboo…. We offer Introductory to Intermediate Carpentry & Joinery practical day workshops where we share our experience building with bamboo and the design of our bamboo building at Freyr’s Bamboo Sky-Kubu (Denpasar). Basic tool knowledge and techniques; joinery/carpentry styles will be demonstrated and then we work together to make a bamboo item of your choice; You will get to apply your new knowledge practically and be given the the tools to try for yourself… and take home your creation! Check Availability for Carpentry and Joinery Workshops – on Air BNB Experiences and Seek Sophie for model-making and small furniture construction workshops.

VIP Custom Workshops:

Bamboo Yoga – Being in the Feeling-Body

Find your own Zen learning to Craft with bamboo… Bamboo and Small Craft, Weaving and Product Design Workshops 

Our crafting and product development workshops in bamboo cutlery, weaving, bamboo jewelery and other groovy stuff as well as customised/individual topics: Bamboo Zen stays are for those who would like to stay with us and experience Bamboo in the Everyday – Gain a deeper understanding and access to our daily workshops in Craft, Carpentry and learn one on one in a more personalised way tailored to to develop your own product from bamboo.

Bamboo is about Feeling… not precision. Working with bamboo helps us to experience being in our Feeling-Body… Maybe we could re-learn to be IN community and rediscover our natural flow through practicing arts and crafts through which we learn to establish focused attention and presence.

You can stay with us and eat, sleep and poop bamboo -> See our VIP interns program. .

Internship/Apprentice Programs:

We also offer longer programs to develop practical knowledge and skills in bamboo building through 3-week Internship programs in Belega (near Ubud).

My Story

Over the last 7 years I have been blessed to meet many people – local craftsmen, artists and travellers with various expertise from parkour, yoga, dance and rock-climbing to architecture and marketing… My daughter has experienced an enriched social stimulation and meaningful connections while I have had the support of having her care needs met by local care “staff” who are like family to us which has enabled me to work and learn hands-on and learn bamboo skills and have connection with other people outside my caring role. I have been able to learn about bamboo-building through this construction project and am creating an Eco-activity Community Centre model – inclusive of special needs and facilitating carpentry, craft-making, eco-building and product design using recycled/reclaimed trash, bamboo and earth-building techniques.

I look forward to returning to Palawan and staying with the families who supported me during a difficult time. Their kindness to us, despite being strangers, means so much. It’s a place where I found peace and the inspiration to envision a brighter future for my daughter and myself within a supportive community. I am very passionate about creating and sharing sustainable and community-focused designs, as well as affordable living technologies. I want to develop programs that make it possible for people to use renewable technologies to improve their living conditions and have access to basic necessities that we often take for granted in the western world, like long-lasting affordable building materials, running water, and light at night. Here are some photos of our time in the Philippines: 😊

It takes more than a village to raise a special needs child… maybe a multi-layered international village will do the job… and that is my mission and vision: To create community in an all-encompassing sense – where no-one is excluded.

Friends Of Freyr Revivement Village Family Support in Bali

Join Inclusive Natural-Learning and Cultural Activities

Everyone, whether “special” or not, is welcome to participate in supported activities and learn about sustainable natural living while immersing themselves in the rich local culture of Bali. We are actively collaborating with other organizations to establish spaces where families can experience life in a natural village environment. Currently, we are forging connections through our Bamboo Skills Sharing Training initiative in Kenya (January-February 2025) to unite people and nations in reconnecting with each other and with nature. Our partnership with One Buuri in Ghana aims to authentically showcase the essence of tribal family living, and we look forward to expanding our network to Ghana and Kenya to engage in the cultural traditions of dance, music, and natural medicine, and to mutually learn, share, and provide support. We aim to raise awareness about the potential for creating cooperative, environmentally connected living communities worldwide, focused on cultivating food, building, making music, and celebrating together.

Contribute to building Freyr’s Bamboo Home in Denpasar which will one day offer space for day programs and activities for kids with Special Needs: A Therapy Play-space for Special Needs Children and their families in Bali…

Bamboo Creative Bali is a collaborative project between Natalie Davenport, mother of Special Needs daughter Freyr (both from Australia) and local Indonesian craftsmen, bamboo specialists, helpers, and parents/carers/teachers of special needs kids locally and internationally.

We welcome your contribution towards helping complete the last stages of work on our Bamboo House and to manifest: Disability access water-powered elevator for wheelchairs to the first floor, flooring and landscape, interior aspects and surfaces and completion of our underwater classroom/trampoline area, bamboo aquaponics system; and further, to develop our program by engaging, training and employing additional carer staff.

Eastern cultures embody feminine principles still and hold skills, time and cooperative qualities essential to human emotional health; they make us feel valued as individual humans…. something the western world/culture has forgotten, with its largely masculine results-oriented values.

If we can come together and form complimentary partnerships where we can relearn to see each other and honour our human qualities, time, skills, each other and utilise our finances to effectively bring about relationships which can succeed the current era; we may also be able to live in harmony and acceptance, learn tolerance and share knowledge which can help all human lives on this planet.

Find out more: About US