A reflective essay from my visit to Chiang Mai exploring natural materials in architecture and the inspiring action-driven journey of Markus Roselieb, founder of Chiangmai Life Architects. A personal perspective on bamboo, sustainability, and practicing design across cultures.
Thinking About Natural Materials in Architecture.
Last fall, I traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand—a city rich with culture, layers of history, and a unique way of building with nature. While visiting, I began reflecting deeply on the use of natural materials in architectural elements. But this blog is not simply about bamboo, earth, lime, or timber. It is about action—the action of a person who chooses to build differently, and the courage it takes to pursue a path that the industry often overlooks.
That person is Markus Roselieb, founder of Chiangmai Life Architects and Chiangmai Life Construction, widely known for their bamboo and earth architecture. In October 2025, I had the privilege of visiting his office in Chiang Mai and spending time asking questions, observing the work, and learning from his perspective.
What impressed me was not just his awards or achievements—though he certainly has many. What inspired me most was the process, the willingness to act, and his determination to build an entirely different architectural language in a foreign land.
As someone who has practiced landscape architecture in many countries, I understand deeply how challenging it is to adapt to a new culture, climate, and construction environment. Success in such situations is never accidental. It is built on long-term effort, understanding, partnership, and risk.
Markus originally came from Austria, studied medicine, and later turned toward architecture in Thailand. For many people, “using bamboo” might sound like a simple or obvious local choice. But those who have worked internationally know there is nothing simple about it.
- How much material do you use?
- For what purpose?
- Where do you source it?
- How do you standardize it?
- What about structural stability, code requirements, or market acceptance?
These are not small questions. They require vision, persistence, money, and experimentation. And more importantly, they need action.
I personally remember attempting to use bamboo lighting for the Kensington Hotel & Resort in Saipan. In the end, we had to abandon the idea due to time constraints, irregularities in bamboo sizing, and uncertainty about the final aesthetic.
Markus, however, pushed beyond those limitations. He did what many of us wanted to try but could not fully commit to. From a practitioner’s perspective, I find that remarkable.
Even though my conversation with Markus was relatively short, observing his office and the nearby construction staging site gave me many answers I had been seeking.
Seeing his work firsthand reinforced a truth I carry with me: innovation does not come from ideas alone—it comes from the willingness to take action in the face of uncertainty.
There is a line from Lev Tolstoy that stayed with me during this visit:
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
Markus’s journey shows the opposite. He changed his path, his environment, and his approach to building—and in doing so, he is helping to reshape what sustainable architecture can mean in Thailand and beyond.
Architect Office at the Water’s Edge — Chiangmai Life Architects
https://www.archdaily.com/1031779/architect-office-at-the-waters-edge-chiangmai-life-architects