Research Center for a sewn-silk making cottage industry in madagascar, in order to aid local forest conservation, poverty alleviation and efforts to boost the local economy. 
Sepali Madagascar is an organization that is researching the use of silkworm moths to create a new kind of fabric, and protein source in rural Madagascar. The cocoon is removed from the moth without killing it. The cocoon is then processed, flattened and sewn together to form a beautiful natural fabric that has multiple uses in interiors and products. The moth is being promoted as a food source.

Our design is a training center, where the local farmers bring their cocoon harvests, deposit them in a cocoon bank and use the facilities to process them. Since the locals like to work in shaded breezy spaces outside, we envision this as a secure pavilion that has the ability to be shut and boarded when there are devastating hurricanes. Building orientation, roof angles and shutter designs are based on climatic and solar data. We are also investigating alternate sources of power and water management in this project.