The Mashambas Skyscraper is a project designed to improve the lives of small farmers in Swahili, East Africa. It will host education, training on agricultural techniques, cheap fertilizers, and modern tools. The structure will be made of simple modular elements, easy to assemble, deconstruct and transport.
Over the last 30 years, worldwide absolute poverty has fallen sharply (from about 40% to under 20%). But in African countries, the percentage has barely fallen. Still today, over 40% of people living in sub-Saharan Africa live in absolute poverty. More than half of them have something in common: they’re small farmers.
Africa, because of poor infrastructure, limited markets, weak goverments, and fratricidal civil wars that wracked the postcolonial continent, is still struggling to develop its agriculture. The main objective of the project is to bring small farmers an opportunity to produce as much produce per acre as huge modern farms. When farmers improve their harvests, they pull themselves out of poverty. They also start producing surplus food for their neighbors. When farmers prosper, they eradicate poverty and hunger in their communities.
Mashambas also creates a local trading area, which maximizes profits from harvest sales. Agriculture around the building flourishes and the knowledge spreads towards the horizon. The structure is growing as long as the number of participants is rising. When the local community becomes self-sufficient it is transported to other places.
Today hunger and poverty may be only African matter, but the world’s population will likely reach nine billion by 2050, scientists warn that this would result in global food shortage. Africa’s fertile farmland could not only feed its own growing population, it could also feed the whole world.
Architects Pawel Lipiński, Mateusz Frankowski, Poland
Source : www.evolo.us/featured/mashambas-skyscraper/ via Carnet de notes 387.
Florence Rolando
I founded Pirouette Blog in November 2008. Today I am a contributor, looking with delight how the blog is developing with Katie as the new boss!
Subscribe to Pirouette's monthly Newsletter.
You might also like
July 16, 2014
Swedish Decor Fabriko
Fabriko is a swedish deco brand founded by designer and mum Lisa Eriksson. It focuses on interior design, fun and creative accessories for kids, even thought the designs appeal to everyone, big and…
February 21, 2013
Introducing children to the world of architecture and design
The Hungry Little Minds A-Z flash cards and building blocks are the first of a series of toy designs planned with the objective of creating toys which are fun and creative and introduce children into…
November 4, 2012
Great architecture makes me happy
This spiral shaped building is a project for a Buddhist temple soon to be built in Taichang, China. It takes shape of a Mobius ring, reflecting the basic principles of Buddhism and the idea of…
August 25, 2012
Bird Island : A Green Home in the Jungle of Malaysia
You might have seen this stunning construction located in Kuala Lumpur already, in magazines or online. If you haven't, I invite you to take a moment to read...
February 2, 2012
Decor me funny…
Fresh, fun, full of humour...me gustan mucho los "Vinilos de autor, Vinilos con idea" from Chipsum!
March 22, 2011
Decor me clever
Paper garlands les colocataires - available at boutique ZOU, 7 rue Houdon, Paris 18.
October 2, 2010
eco peko's green tees
These extremely soft organic tees come from Australia. Made from 100% certified organic cotton, they are the product of a family business that is committed to sustainability, recycling,…
September 29, 2010
La gallina matta, Italian home decor
La Gallina Matta (which means "the mad hen") is an Italian company selling a playful collection of fabrics as well as bespoke furniture. I like this chair, quite unique even more the background…