Khudi Bari is a simple space frame built with bamboo and steel connectors that responds to the rise of climate-driven displacement in Bangladesh. The affordable, modular structural system can be rapidly disassembled and reassembled by three people using simple tools. The Khudi Bari is resilient, with its rigid frame able to withstand lateral wind and water pressure. Nevertheless, the lightweight structure requires only a shallow foundation and anchor to the ground. The roofs are corrugated metal sheets for the ease of transport and maintenance. The façades can be made from any material sourced locally, and the Khudi Bari's architectural design echoes vernacular houses in the region. It is designed with two levels: the lower offers a social and private space, and the upper is used for sleeping and can double as a flood shelter. Khudi Bari units have been deployed in floods and thunderstorms.
Marina Tabassum Architects has worked with communities to share construction knowledge, and scaled up the structure, using it to build aggregation centres for woman farmers and community centres for women in Rohingya refugee camps.
