Gomshiri

GOMSHIRI is a community-driven collective rooted in the indigenous heritage of the Upper Brahmaputra Valley’s Mishing (Tani-clan) people. The name “Gomshiri,” drawn from the Mishing dialect, evokes a “message” - a nature’s prophecy that calls for harmony with and adaptation to the natural world.

With a deep respect for ancestral knowledge and traditional craftsmanship, GOMSHIRI brings together a dedicated team of bamboo artisans (many of whom are over 60 years old) - skilled in time-honored techniques passed down through generations - and pairs them with younger artisans eager to learn. This intergenerational collaboration preserves traditional bamboo knowledge while evolving it to meet the needs of modern sustainable building.

The collective specialises in designing and constructing sustainable structures using bamboo, from traditional stilt-houses (inspired by Mishing heritage) to contemporary experimental designs - including hyperbolic structures, modern joinery patterns, and bamboo-based architectural elements. Their work spans traditional craftsmanship and innovative engineering, combining species-specific selection, harvesting, natural treatment of bamboo materials (e.g. water immersion, borax/boric treatment, split-smoothing), and high-quality execution.

GOMSHIRI’s portfolio includes diverse projects across India - from hillside retreats and eco-resorts to modern structural builds. Notable works include “Bliss Kawayan” in Panchet, Pune (2023), “The Nest” (2023), as well as an eco-resort project in Meghalaya (ARJB Farms, 2024), and a “Butterfly Resort & Green Connect” project in Port Blair (2024). These projects highlight the collective’s capability to combine traditional stilt-house architecture, modern bamboo-based techniques, and innovative structural design, demonstrating their versatility across geography and architectural styles.

Beyond building, GOMSHIRI is committed to community building and sustainable livelihoods. Through continuous training and hands-on workshops, the organisation has grown a community of 200+ trainees - empowering local craftspeople, generating employment, and preserving traditional bamboo craftsmanship while adapting it for 21st-century ecological and architectural needs.

Driven by a mission to make bamboo a viable, sustainable alternative in structural building and to foster eco-sensitive construction practices, GOMSHIRI combines heritage and innovation. By reimagining bamboo through both ancestral methods and modern engineering, they aim to create environmentally responsible architecture that honours tradition while looking forward.

Services:

• Design and architectural planning of bamboo-based structures (traditional and contemporary)
• Construction of bamboo buildings - including traditional stilt-houses, eco-resorts, cottages, and modern bamboo structures
• Material sourcing, selection and natural treatment of bamboo (species-specific harvesting; water immersion or chemical treatment for durability)
• Bamboo joinery, structural engineering, and assembly (roofing, framing, foundations, modern joinery patterns)
• Custom / experimental design - e.g. hyperbolic structures, modular or site-specific builds
• Inter-generational artisan training & skill development (younger artisans trained by senior craftspeople)
• Community livelihood generation - employing local artisans and enabling sustainable incomes through bamboo craftsmanship