Eat Your Own Building

I've been following the advice of another blogger regarding the TED series. I recently watched Cameron Sinclair talk about architecture in developing countries. They have the problem of trying to get doctors to all the small villages all over Africa.

To solve this, they developed and implemented a bunch of mobile medical clinic ideas, but he stops to discuss one in particular. It's a building based off of Kenaf. Kenaf is an edible bamboo like plant that grows 14 ft in a month. A village would grow a field of this plant in anticipation of the doctor's visit.

When the medical staff arrives, they mow the Kenaf into the precise layout that works for that region. They cover it with a tensile structure, and setup shop to treat illnesses. When they are done, the village mows down the building and eats it. Another field of Kenaf is then planted to prepare for the next medical visit.