reclaimedGREENHOUSE

Western Cape, South Africa. 2022.

Students working on reclaimed treehouse project

The Challenge:
On a remote South African farm, a local family struggled to protect their crops from harsh weather and persistent local fauna, specifically baboons. With zero budget and no access to traditional building supplies, the project required a high-tension, secure structure built entirely from whatever might be found  on-site.

The Intervention In a 24-hour sprint, the IDC team performed a series of rapid experiments with discarded irrigation pipes. Eventually, the team decided to deploy a variation of the DaVinci Bridge system: a self-supporting arch that gains strength through tension. Using only found twine and wire to lash the members together, the team created a robust, baboon-proof structure large enough to protect the field.

The Impact The result is a 20’ x 60’ greenhouse that provides immediate food security for the family. More importantly, the project served as a live laboratory for bricolage construction. The IDC  didn't just leave behind a building; we left behind a repeatable methodology, proving to the community that high-performance architecture can be harvested from a scrap pile.

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  • Cost: $0 (100% reclaimed materials)

    Timeline: < 24 Hours

    Volunteers: 12

    Size: 1200 square feet

    Primary Materials: Irrigation pipes, twine, fence posts.

  • The International Design Clinic

  • The International Design Clinic

    Indalo World