<div>I’m Alexander Gall. Last summer in Siargao, I built something I truly believed in. A floating bamboo home, 12 meters by 10 meters, resting gently on the ocean, rising and falling with the tide. No steel. No concrete. Just bamboo, nipa palm, and human hands working in harmony with nature. It wasn't just a structure. It was a living, breathing dream.
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<div>The floating cottage had two levels. Downstairs was a coconut bar, a fire kitchen with clay pots, a palm-leaf sauna heated by wood, and space for art and massage. Upstairs was an open studio for yoga and rest, with a 4.5-meter-high hanging net to watch the sunset over the sea. Every joint was tied by hand. Every piece of bamboo carefully placed. It honored traditional Filipino craftsmanship, techniques passed down through generations.
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<div>For two months, I worked side by side with local builders from nearby villages in Siargao. They weren't just workers, they became family. Because I funded the project myself, I was able to pay fair wages, support families directly, and contribute to school fees and daily needs. This project wasn't just about building a home, it was about building opportunity.
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<div>The cottage was a vision for sustainable living. This was my first prototype after studying at the Bamboo University of Bali. I wanted to prove something. That we can build beautiful, functional homes without harming the environment. That bamboo can be a real alternative to concrete. That tradition and innovation can work together.
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<div>Before building, I did everything I could to follow the rules. I spoke with the Coast Guard, the local council, the municipality, and the DENR. Because the structure used only natural materials, no permit existed for this kind of build. I was told I could proceed. But just before completion, I was told the structure was not allowed, it was considered too large for protected waters. Even though no environmental harm was caused, no concrete or permanent materials were used, and no clear permit framework existed, I had no choice but to take it apart.
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<div>Dismantling it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Not just because of the time and money, but because of what it represented. A new way of living. A connection to nature. A collaboration with local communities.
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<div>I still believe in this dream. And now, I want to rebuild it, stronger, clearer, and with full community support. On Samal Island, where we are currently based. This time, with clearer agreements and legal structure, with deeper local partnerships, and with a vision to expand into a coconut cultural center and eco-living space.
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<div>Your support will go directly toward bamboo materials and construction, fair wages for local builders, transport and installation, legal setup and permits, and developing a sustainable model for future projects.
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<div>This is bigger than one home. It's about proving that we can build with nature. That traditional knowledge still has a place in the future. That sustainable living can be accessible, beautiful, and real.
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<div>Join Us. If this story speaks to you, if you believe in a different way of building and living, please consider donating or reaching out as an investor. Let's not let this dream sink. Let's float it again together.
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<div>With saltwater in my eyes and hope in my hands,
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<div>Alexander
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Gary Hay

IFC HK

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