The humble potato plant entered the human world when it was first domesticated near the modern-day La Paz city in Bolivia over 10,000 years ago. Despite the significant influence of the everyday crop globally, it has suffered at its place of origin, ravaged by a changing climate. This development is not just exacerbating social instability in the region, but threatening the very survival of its people.
The project seeks to trace the potato back to its roots, and explore the indigenous agricultural practices and cultural beliefs of the Incan Empire to create a potato centre in the administrative capital of Bolivia, La Paz. This new international centre offers opportunities to research and combat the impact of climate change on potato yields, potato species preservation, and public engagement for training and awareness. In the pursuit of a rooted architecture, inspiration draws deeply from the local vernacular and native landscapes, generating an environment to help potatoes thrive for life above the clouds.
