where there's sand, use it

Local South African firm MMA Architects have won $100,000 in an international design competition with their entry of a low-cost house (under R50,000 - they could build 16 houses with the prize money) using eco-build technology: essentially a timber and steel frame holding thousands of sand bags in place. The house has been built in Freedom Park, Mitchell's Plain, where there's enough sand to build an empire. Check out the photos. This has to be the ultimate in using locally-sourced building materials and labour. The award is the Curry Stone Design prize for humanitarian innovation from the University of Kentucky College of Design, awarded during the IdeaFestival last month.