Hybrid Muscle was both a work and exhibition space, built in Chiang Maï in Thaïland, that would generate its own electricity and thus be “unplugged” from the power grid.

The engine was driven by the muscle power of an albino Buffalo. The buffalo worked a few hours a day to lift a steel counterweight. Once freed the buffalo would lounge around the rice field and the mechanical energy stored was turned into electrical energy to power ten light bulbs, laptops, mobile phones.

Commissioned in 2002 to R&Sie architects who worked on the project with Philippe Parreno and Rirkrit Tiravanija.

See also R&Sie architecture’s project for the future Bangkok Art Museum that feeds of the city’s pollution and (Un)Plug Building, a concept of building that gains its energy from the sun