趙師傅用筷子表示搭竹棚的三角幾何巧妙。

走在香港的街頭，隨時會見到維修中的高樓大廈被一層看是雜亂，但整齊有致的竹棚包圍著。只需要一枝枝竹，一條條塑膠帶，就能織出大廈的外衣。如果在小克的匯豐大廈大戰中銀作品中，加入平民化的，但有鐵甲，啊，應是竹甲護身的唐樓戰士，這場世紀大戰鹿死誰手呢？然而，這一層竹棚架，在你我眼中是否司空見慣？你又知道竹棚是怎樣搭建出來的嗎？不如我們問問趙師傅去！

搭棚的三角幾何學？

不說也不知道，原來搭棚要懂得幾何力學的喔！師傅笑言，他在剛入行的時候也不懂什麼是三角幾何力學，一邊做一邊學習才慢慢明白當中的竅妙。他簡明解釋：「搭棚就像打桌球般，打不到的位置，就用幾何。」比如說，棚架通常有很多條橫向的竹子，在這之中，必然會有兩條竹子直落地。落地的竹子會交叉相紮，呈一個倒行的直角三角形。「主要以三角形為主，容易借力。」當筆者對三角幾何摸不著頭腦之際，趙師傅更明言搭棚不需要量度器具，更不須事先繪畫草圖。他們用眼睛觀察，以經驗預位，在腦海中設計。師傅隨手指向餐廳外的招牌「以這個招牌為例，大概16、17尺，三位師傅一個上午就搞定了！」言談之見，趙師傅不經意流露出的自豪以及對距離感淡定嫻熟，讓筆者佩服不已。

建「竹」學問就是「借力」

「搭棚是用竹子到處借力，是一項借力工程，不像鐵棚，比較靈活。邊看環境邊做，很有挑戰性，不死板。」除了技巧上的知識，對竹也要有一定程度的認識。搭棚用的竹，通常來自廣西。由於正在生長的竹要斜斜地削才容易砍出來，因此尖的一端會作底部。不過並不是尖頭才能支撐整個竹棚，應因環境所需，有時候反而平面會更方便竹棚站立。而且，竹枝在一年裡頭會愈用愈乾，由原本青綠色，慢慢變為草黃色，最後變成灰黑色的時候，脆弱的竹枝就不能再使用了。師傅也要靠經驗觀察竹子是否生蟲。竹蟲在竹子裡自己生長，吃完竹囊之後，會使竹子的重量變化。因為竹裡的纖維被吃光了，下雨時竹子變重，乾燥時則會特別輕，這個時候師傅要留意竹子的狀況，因為很容易折斷，已不可以使用了。那些竹子割斷之後，會回歸大自然，作為肥料之用。「建竹」實在是環保工業。

難忘在匯豐大廈

師傅跟我們分享，他最難忘的建築工程是拆卸匯豐銀行頂樓，在60多層高的頂樓工作，加上玻璃幕牆，要到處借力。這樣最考驗師傅的應變能力。最後工程能順利完成，連匯豐的經理也嘖嘖稱奇。在這個都市裡，搭棚師傅為了生計，而成為了高空工作的「藝術建築師」。

在街上到處可見竹棚架的蹤跡。

「直角三角形」式的圖案。

落地竹枝尖頭的那一端肩負重任，支撐整個棚架。

用繩繞上六個圈，就能牢牢紮實竹棚了。

Bamboo Building in Hong Kong

Walking in the street, we can easily find maintenance of high-rise buildings surrounded by a layer of bamboo shed. Master can weave a ‘bamboo coat’ for the buildings by using bamboos and plastic bans. In the war of buildings that of HSBC building competed with The Bank of China, if a ‘bamboo soldier’ was involved, then who will be the winner of this War? However, in the eyes of us, maybe this bamboo shed is ordinary equipment in construction. But do you know how is a bamboo shed erected? Let’s ask Master Zhao!

The triangular geometry of bamboo shed?

You may not know that a bamboo shed producer have to understand the geometry at first! Master Zhao smiled and said that he did not understand what the triangular geometric mechanics is initially. But he had been realized the method gradually. He simply explained that doing shed is like playing billiards. The position that you can’t shoot, then use geometry to solve it.’ For example, usually there are a lot of horizontal bamboos when making a bamboo shed. Afterward two bamboos will straightly to the floor additionally. Those two bamboos will be enlaced in one side. Ultimately it turns out to be a right triangle up side down. ‘Triangle-based is the main structure in making bamboo shed.’ said Master Zhao. When I puzzled on the occasion of triangular geometry, Master Zhao explicitly said that they don’t need measuring equipments, and prior painting sketch. Bamboo Masters just observe with their eyes, estimate the distance and design sketch in their mind. Afterward Master Zhao readily pointed to the sign outside the restaurant, and said ‘take this sign as an example, about 16-17 feet, three masters can finish it in a morning!" it is amazing that Master Zhao inadvertently revealed his pride and his sense of distance .

The knowledge of bamboo

‘Bamboo shed making is using bamboo with the help of leverage, which is a leveraging project. Unlike the iron roof, making a bamboo shed is more flexible as it is rely on environment. It is good for me to have such challenging work.’ In addition to the knowledge of technique of bamboo shed making, master is required to familiarize bamboo. As bamboo can easily cut in slanting, so the tip of sharp one will be the bottom of bamboo. But as environment requires, sometimes it is more convenient that the bamboo stands with a flat bottom. Moreover, the bamboo will be dry in a year. From green original, gradually become yellow, finally turned dark gray. At that time, the fragile bamboo can not be used. Master also relies on experience, to observe whether bamboo worms inside the bamboo or not. Bamboo pests change the weight of bamboo by eating the fibrin, which causes bamboo will be heavier in rainy day, and will particularly light when dry. In the sense, master has to pay more attention to bamboo, because bamboo can be broken easily. Those bamboos will back to the nature for enriching the land.

The memorable project of HSBC

To master Zhao, the most memorable work was working in the top floor of the HSBC of Hong Kong. Working in the top floor of 60 flats, with glass walls, Master Zhao had to corporate with environment. Master Zhao enjoys this project as it particular needs the resilience of him. At the final of the project, the managers of HSBC are also amazed.