Architectural Dissertation

An Architect’s perception of ‘Earthen Architecture In Contemporary Scenario ’ A technique of the past helping us today to develop a healthy & green future. Submitted by - JANAKI RAMASAMY - 10AR28 EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Title Description An Architect’s perception of How do an ARCHITECT , as a person who develops built form and urban setting for welfare of SOCIETY, perceive the concept of EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE (oldest conventional building technology) now being put aside naming it as SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

‘ Earthen Architecture One of the oldest forms of construction…

In

Contemporary Scenario’ Meaning – Living /occurring at the same time

It is composed of structures made from unfired

Today's World of construction – Moving towards the

earthen materials, including adobe (sun-dried mud

highly technological face with all the utopian concepts.

brick),

earthen

Is the Age old technique a mismatch to the current face?

components and construction techniques that varies

The Techniques and technology that today's field of

with culture and region

construction uses to handle the material.

rammed

earth,

and

other

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Aim of the study

 To Recognize the significance of earthen architecture and its techniques from past to present .

 To know about the alternative technologies used in earthen architecture and to figure out its scope and promote it as a construction material in today‟s world

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Objective of the study 

To overview the history of earthen construction



To understand the qualities and properties of mud



To study and understand the usefulness and problems that earth as a construction material has and have.



To understand and analyze the earth construction techniques.



To study the problems in designing structures, construction and maintenance of earthen construction through pioneer‟s designs.



To study the innovative earth construction techniques.



To study the potentials of earth architecture to solve sustainability issues.



Earthen architecture as a tool to solve housing needs for poor – Study and analysis of it being economical.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Scope and Limitations of the study 

To overview the history of earthen construction through chronological and statistical data



To understand the qualities and properties of mud through various literature sources and not through physical testing of the same



Study is not intended to analyze or calculate any climatic responsive factors



To bring out the alternative/innovative approach and its applications through study on pioneer‟s design and various other case examples.



Study is limited to focus on principles and works of three national and three international Architects.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Final outcome of the study: „ Building with earth has a great past, but also a promising future

Everywhere in the world‟ - Ar.Satprem Maini

The attempt is to study and integrate an alternative technologies and various appropriate building materials and renewable energies sources, so as to promote ecofriendly and sustainable development.  Gain the better knowledge properties of mud  Gain the knowledge about alternative mud architecture techniques  Creating awareness on the Mud architecture by presenting its scope on various fields.  Creating awareness to preserve earthen building traditions

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Structure of Presentation Stage 1

Stage 2

- Definition of Earthen architecture

- Earthen Construction Techniques

- History of Earthen architecture - Earthen Architecture – Statistical Data - Earthen Architecture – In India - Earth as a Building material • Types of soil and its usage • Tests • Stabilizers • Strength and weakness of the material

• 12 systems of construction • Various Building Elements • Walls

• Vaults, Domes , Arches

• Flooring

• Plasters and Mortar

• Foundation

• Aesthetical Quality

- Study on principles and works of • Ar. Hassan Fathy (Egyptian) ◦ Case example - 2

• Ar. Gernot Minke(German) ◦ Case example - 2

• Ar. Anna Heringer (Austrian) ◦ Case example - 2

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Structure of Presentation Stage 3

Stage 4

- Study on principles and works of • Ar. Satprem Maini (Practicing at Auroville) • Auroville Earth Institute , Auroville

(Comparison with a conventional building material)

resistance

• Auroville , Auroville

• Ar. Chitra Vishwanath(Indian) • Biome Solutions , Bangalore

- Interviews with Professionals and Technicians Ar. Anna Muset Cabada Ar. Nourredine Kebaili Ar. Martin . L Mr. T.Ayyappan Mr. Regi Kumar

sustainability

- Earthen Architecture – For Disaster

• Ar. Suhasini Iyer (Indian)

• • • • •

- Earthen architecture – As a tool for

- Auroville Earth Institute , Auroville - Auroville Earth Institute , Auroville - Biome Solutions , Bangalore - Co-Director of AVEI , Auroville - Site Supervisor of AVEI , Auroville

- Earthen Architecture – As a tool to solve housing needs

(Comparison with a conventional building material)

- Current trends and researches - Role of • An Architect • The Government and private agencies

- Inference and Conclusion EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Summary of the Previous stages From History Of Earthen Architecture To Pioneer’s Designs And Concepts

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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It has been one of the most widely used building materials ever since people began to build homes and cities 11 000 years ago.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE - HISTORY

Statistics from UNCHS  40 % of the world population lives in earthen dwellings  17 % of the “world cultural heritage sites” is built with earth

Statistics from UNESCO  25 % of the world population does not have access to decent housing  25 % of the “world heritage sites in danger” is built with earth\  14 % of the “hundred most endangered world heritage sites” is built with earth Type of Mud construction used - UNESCO

 8000 to 6000 BC – Mud brick houses, Russia.

 5000 BC – Rammed earth foundations in Assyria.

The 4000 – year old great wall of china

300 and 900 AD – The core of the sun , mexico , 2 million tons of rammed earth.

Bronze age – In Germany - infill in timber-framed houses. Wattle and daub 6th century BC –Mud brick Heuneburg fort -N.Europe 1446- First recorded settlements in Dir‟iyah 1795 - The oldest inhabited house in Germany.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Mid 20th century- Renaissance of earthen architecture (Hassan Fathy)

 100 BC – Rammed earth forts in Spain. 13th to 17th centuries –cover straw roofs - fire-resistant. 15th to the 19th centuries – In France, terrepise technique 1828 – The tallest house with solid earth walls - Germany.

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Earth As A Building Material Ty p e s o f S o i l a n d u s e s , S o i l t e s t i n g

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Soil - Types Soil – Types (Based on particle size) Gravel: size of a pea to that of an egg. Sand: small than a pea Silt: Fine grains. Clay: Soils that stick when wet

CHART SHOWING THE SOIL TYPES AND MIXTURES The shaded region Shows the , suitable soil proportion for the building construction

Organic Soil: decomposing organic matters

SOIL – USAGE Suitability for construction is to be checked before use

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Soil Testing and types Soil Test : There are two kinds of tests: ◦ Field tests

Gravity soil separation

Cigar test

◦ Colour tests

◦ Touch and smell test ◦ Biscuit test ◦ Hand wash test

Adhesion Test

◦ Cigar test

Biscuit Test

◦ Adhesion test ◦ Lab tests

Sedimentation test

◦ Sieve test ◦ Sedimentation test

Sieve test Hand wash test EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Earthen Construction Techniques 1 2 s y s t e m s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n , Va r i o u s B u i l d i n g E l e m e n t s

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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12 TECHNIQUES OF CONSTRUCTION

Tubular roll of sandbag-type

This method was developed from the bunkers made by the military

RAMMED EARTH

EARTH BAG – SUPER ADOBE Bamboo and cane frame structure that supports the roof.

Mud is plastered over this mesh of bamboo cane and straws

Mud is plastered over this mesh of bamboo cane and straws

Mud is plastered over this mesh of bamboo cane and straws

WATTLE AND DAUB

Various Mouldes available to produce adobes Removal of excess of mud

COMPRESSED EARTH BLOCKS

ADOBE

Making Cob out of the loam prepared Standard mould used in the production

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Compacting the layers to form a monolithic structure

COB Stacking the cob Properly

Finishing the wall- Plastering

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FLOORING Basic Flooring (Gernot Minke) •The base layer - loam, about15 cm thick (high clay content - water barrier ) •compacted by beating or ramming until no cracks appear while drying.

Infill loam elements for floors

Extruded loam slabs, Germany

Load-bearing loam floor slabs

• next layer - coarse gravel -interrupts capillary action. • a 10-cm-thick layer of straw loam - thermal insulation. 4-cm-thick - layer of straw loam, stabilised with cement •2-cm-thick layer of cement mortar with sawdust

Prefabricated tiles

Modern Flooring

Made with stabilized earth can be used for flooring. One advantage is that since they are already dry, shrinkage only occurs in joints.

•15-cm-thick capillary breaking layer of gravel, followed by plastic or bituminous felt paper, and topped with a 10-cm-thick layerof expanded clay (thermal insulation.)

FLOORING

divided by a timber grid

Basic Flooring

Done With Timber Blocks BUILT EXAMPLES

Earth Flooring , Gives the space a natural look . Lots of patterns can be created with the flooring styles and

Materialsused

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Nubian Arches and Domes Nubian vault technique, used for centuries in Upper Egypt, vaults can be built without any formwork

Afghan and Persian domes With this technique, bell shaped flat domes are produced to cover square rooms

VAULTS , DOMES AND ARCHES

VAULTS , ARCHES , DOMES

• Arches ,Vaults and domes covering interior spaces and made from earthen blocks are found mainly in religious buildings in Europe • vaults and domes of loam have been built only with adobes •masonry vaults and domes only Transfer loads under compression. Advantages • This increased height helps in better ventilation and gives more thermal comfort. • The skylights provide more light, the curved ceiling provides equal distribution of light. • no reinforced cement concrete or steel structure is necessary Various •The construction techniques avoid Construction Process shuttering, save construction time

BUILT EXAMPLES

Arches , vaults and domes are curved surfaces that transfer almost exclusively compressive forces to their supports.

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PLASTER

MUD MORTAR

IDEAL MIX - Requirements

IDEAL MIX - Requirements

•Mud walls are protected against damage from rain by applying mud plaster,. • Consisting of local soil or mud collected from village pond mixed with bhusha (wheat straw) on outer walls gobri (Cow dung slurry).

• Ideal mix = soil suitable for mud block + 40% to 50% of sand by weight + 7.5% cement. • Stabilized Earth Mortar is best suited for masonry using mud blocks.

Application of Plaster • Scrap the undulation, irregularities and loose particles, if any with the trowel so as to make the surface uniform.

• Course sand (0.2 to 2mm) - reduce shrinkage, Bond strength • Straw - reduce shrinkage • Cement - reduce shrinkage increase Bond Strenth

APPLICATIONS

For Most of the mud wall construction

•Any appreciable crack may be filled with ordinary mud mortar and allow to dry. •The plaster is commenced from the upper portion coming towards the bottom. •Apply the plaster in uniform thickness of 12 mm with a trowel and finish it smooth

PLASTERS AND MORTAR

BUILT EXAMPLES

Finish of a building is a very important part to protect the building from weather and to make it look visually appealing

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Pioneers of Earthen Architecture Un d e rsta n d ing p io n eer ’s d e sig n p rin c ip le s a n d te c h n iq u e s

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METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

- Architect‟s Profile and Achievements - Reason Behind them pursuing Earthen Architecture as a profession. - Principles and Thoughts

Methodology

- Planning and Design principles

Understanding techniques through Pioneers design principles Understanding the architectural and technical specifications done by various architects.

- Two Case Examples • • • •

Project aim and contextual Significance Planning Aspects Type of Construction and techniques Improvisation factors

- Contribution to the Society.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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• Born : 13.10.1977 in Rosenheim (Germany), • Practicing in Salzburg (Austria). • Nationality : German

Homemade – residence, Rudrapur

METI hand made school , Rudrapur

“Sustainability is a synonym for beauty ”

AR. ANNA HERINGER Office Building , New delhi Farm House , New Delhi

• Born : April 1937 , Rostock, Germany • Work : director - Building Research Institute , Since 1979 : Private Office of ecological architecture AR.GERNOT MINKE

He Believes in the concept of DIY – DO IT YOURSELF • Born : March 23, 1900 Alexandria Egypt • Died : Nov 30, 1989 • Nationality : Egyptian

AR. HASSAN FATHY

Hamed Said House , Egypt

Mosque , New Gourna Village

"but this was no fault of the mud brick. .. why not .. mud brick??

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

LITERATURE CASE EXAMPLES

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• Born : Banares, India • Nationality : Indian

Biome , Office building, Bangalore

• Work : Biome Environmental Solutions Pvt Limited

AR.CHITRA VISHWANATH

Creative School , Ongoing Project

“ It‟s a pleasure , jus looking at the soil… “ • Year joined in Auroville - 1987

Kindergarden School, Auroville

• Nationality : Indian 1989-1992 Visitors Centre at Auroville

• Work :Auroville Design Consultants , 1988.

Beauty and harmony in the built and natural environment is essential for a healthy living … • Lives in Auroville since 1989

AR. SUHASINI IYER

1991-1999 Vikas Community, Auroville

• Nationality: France • Work : Principal Architect at AVEI AR. SATPREM MAINI

Dormitory , Laboratory, AVEI

“ The work done is as an offering to the Divine… “

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

LIVE CASE EXAMPLES

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Interview with Professional experts Discussion with professional experts and Technicians For better understanding on the topic

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Interview with Professional experts QUESTIONNAIRE – TO ARCHITECTS

Overall View of Ms. Anna Muset Cabada: Earthen construction is like home made food – takes time to prepare, but conventional ones are like fast food , easy and fast servable .

Overall View of Mr. Nourredine Kebaili Earthen architecture is a bit complex process , But people now a days are used to the process of finding a easy and fast solution. So they don‟t opt for a longer/ time taking process Mr. Nourredine Kebaili is also taking a census through a psychological questions related to earthen architecture , its misconceptions and peoples thoughts in comparison to other material . To find out the best possible way to remove the misconceptions from people‟s mind . He says , Past five years I am doing this research and the only factor that keeps repeating is “IGNORANCE“ . So best possible way is to teach people.

Overall View of Mr.Martin .L Present day scenario at Bangalore, people wish to go for this construction , probably this shows that people getting aware / educating themselves on this topic.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Interview with Professional experts QUESTIONNAIRE – TO OTHER TECHNICIANS

Overall View of Mr. T. Ayyappan: Training people on this topic , has shown lots of difference in terms of client‟s approach or interest of students on this type of architecture Trainees per year keeps increasing, this shows that the interest and awareness is increased in present day condition

Overall View of Mr. Regi Kumar Its easy to give training to local labors or even students , any one can catch the techniques very fast. But Perfection takes time .Its like a craft , once you learn the technique , wonders can be made with this material.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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CONTENTS OF THE STUDY

- Earthen architecture – As a tool for sustainability (Comparison with a conventional building material)

- Earthen Architecture – For Disaster resistance - Earthen Architecture – As a tool to solve housing needs

(Comparison with a conventional building material)

Stage - 4 Bring out the potentials of earthen architecture

To list down the scope of the same in various fields and to enhance and enrich the society regarding it.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

- Current trends and researches

- Role of • An Architect • The Government and private agencies

- Inference and Conclusion

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Earthen Architecture – Tool to solve sustainability Un d e rsta n d ing t h e su sta in a b le a sp e c t s o f e a rt h e n co n st ru c t ion

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Sustainability Check Sustainable Architecture that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings

Architecture ??

By efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space.

A conscious approach to energy and ecological conservation to save the society

Actions and decisions today that does not inhibit the opportunities of future generations

CSEB & RAMMED EARTH

Earthen Architecture = Sustainable Architecture Embodied energy and Co2 Emission – Construction Industry- major source for co2 emission . This main property that decides the sustainability of structure with response to surrounding Pollution emission : ◦ 2.4 times less than wire cut bricks. ◦ 7.8 times less than country fired bricks.

Energy consumption : ◦ 5 times less than wire cut bricks. ◦ 15 times less than country fired bricks.

Category Pollution emission (CO²) Energy consumption (Wall)

Wire Cut Bricks(WCB)

Country Fired Compressed Earth Bricks (CFB) Block (CEB)

39 Kg / m²

126 Kg / m²

16 kg / m²

16 Kg / m²

539 MJ / m²

1657 MJ / m²

110 MJ / m²

110 MJ / m²

Category

Emission

Radon Emission

Category

Thermal Capacity

Thermal Capacity–

Category

Time Lag

Cement

57.6

Stone

1800

6.9 h

54.0

Burnt bricks

1360

Burnt bricks

7.0 h

Clay bricks

5.0

Adobe

1300

Adobe

9.2 h

Lime-sand bricks

13.3

Rammed earth

1680

Rammed earth

10.3 h

Porous concrete

18.0

CSEB

1740

This shows that the stone and CSEB are nearly equal , They can store large amount of heat inside them.

Cement

Sand

This shows that a clay brick from a clayey soil discharges very little radon.

CSEB

12 h

Rammed Earth (RE)

Time Lag – This shows that the material traps heat inside it for nearly 9 to 12 hours , after which there is temperature changes

The thermal Conductance and time lag are inter related factors – Cseb and rammed earth are good for climate responsive designs as they have better thermal properties than the other conventional materials

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Source – Building with earth by Gernot minke and Auroville Website

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Sustainability Check Sustainable

check

in

MARIKAL - TELENGANA

responsive architecture getting transformed into concrete buildings irreverent to local climate and context This study calls for a balancing modernization with the vernacular.

Climate : Hot-arid summers slightly cool winters

Contextual Background

Transformation Climate

Max Temp - 40 C Min Temp - 27 C Annual mean - 27.6 C Rainfall- 810 mm (yr)

INFERENCE Heat Capacity Heat capacity of a Mud wall plastered with lime (2050 kj/m3k) is 50% more than that of a brick wall plastered with cement (1360 kj/m3k)

Heat Transmittance Mud Walls transmit heat 24% lesser than the brick walls

Surface conductance Mud Walls conducts 59% lesser than the conventional brick walls Research Paper - Understanding the climate sensitive architecture of Marikal, a village in Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh, India By Madhavi Indraganti

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Source - www.elsevier.com/locate/buildenv

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Earthen Architecture – Tool to solve strength related issues Learning about the disaster résistance houses , its construction technique

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Gujarat Earthquake 2001 - Overview The 2001 Gujarat earthquake occurred on 26 January, India's 52nd Republic Day, at 08:46 AM local time and lasted for over two minutes. The earthquake reached 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale The earthquake killed around 20,000 people injured another 167,000 and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes

June 16, - 1819 Rann of Kutch earthquake 8.2 Richter January 26, 2001 - Gujarat earthquake of 2001 - 7.6/7.7 Richter April 6, 2006 Gujarat - 5.5 Richter

PATHOLOGY ON STONE BUILDINGS These building were built without bond patterns and without “through stones”

FAILURE – DUE TO SHEAR Failure due to collapse of walls or Reinforced concrete columns

FAILURE – NEW BUILDINGS Failure due to collapse of walls or Reinforced concrete columns

PATHOLOGY – BAD REINFORCEMENT Failure due to collapse Reinforced concrete columns and other RCC Structures

ADOBE BUILDINGS, STILL IN SHAPE These adobe buildings were well built and they withstood the earthquake of Gujarat 2001

Ludiya, Gujarat – Adobe buildings in the back which resisted the earthquake and stone building in front, totally collapsed

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Khavda – Random masonry with stones Well built which

Goiarsama – COB BUILDING

resisted the earthquake in Gujarat

Well built which resisted the earthquake

Ludiya, Gujarat – Adobe building with only the plaster which peeled off and without roof

Ludiya, Gujarat – Adobe building which resisted the earthquake without even a crack in the plasters

Source - Auroville Website

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Disaster Resistive Structures N E E D and

DEMAND

The last decade of the 20th century has seen all over the world a significant increase in natural catastrophes . The need to answer the demand for disaster resistance is increasing .

Re se a rc h und e r ta ke n by AU R OV I LLE EA R TH I NS TI TU TE Since 1995, our research has been oriented towards the development of a system, which is based on reinforced masonry with compressed earth blocks that are hollow interlocking. Three types of blocks have been developed: • The square hollow interlocking block 245, which allows building up to 2–3 floors high.

• The rectangular hollow interlocking block 295, which is used only for ground floors.

• The rectangular dry hollow interlocking block 300, which is used only for ground floors.

1.

Various resistive structures by A U R O V I L L E E A R T H I N S T I T U T E 2.

Istanbul, Turkey -1996

1999 - New Delhi, India

2001 Gujarat rehabilitation

It was pre-cast in 10 days using semi-skilled labour and it was assembled in 8 days during the

Built with water and sanitation facilities, kitchenette. Pre-cast in Auroville & assembled in 66 hours by our 18-man team.

Pre-cast in Auroville and transported to Gujarat, where it was assembled in Khavda village in 62 hours by our 20-man team.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

3. 1. HI block 245 (245 x 245 x 95 mm) “Running block” 2. HI block 295 (295 x 145 x 95 mm) “Running block” 3. HI block D300 (299 x 150 x 100 mm) “Running block”

Source – Auroville Earth Institute , Website

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Disaster Resistive Structures FOUNDATION : Stabilized rammed earth foundation with 5% cement SECTION

PLINTH : Interlocking CSEB 295 with 5% cement . With a composite plinth beam (RCC in U Interlocking CSEB)

PLAN OF AUM HOUSE

ELEVATION

14 HOURS

16 HOURS

WALLS : Interlocking CSEB DOORS AND WINDOWS

Ferrocement

FLOORING : CSEB tiles 2.5cm thick with screed CS 1:12

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

17 HOURS

295 With reinforcements

BEAMS & LINTEL : Composite RCC in U interlocking CSEB

COLUMNS : Composite – Round hollow CSEB 295

ROOF : Interlocking Ferrocement channels

25 HOURS

30 HOURS

35 HOURS

43 HOURS

46 HOURS

48 HOURS

Source – Auroville Earth Institute , Website

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Disaster Resistance – Government Housing G O V E R N M E N T A P P RO VA L – A u r o v i l l e E a r t h i n s t i t u t e Te c h n i q u e The technology for disaster resistance, which has been developed by the Auroville Earth Institute, has been approved by three governments: • The government of Gujarat, as a suitable construction method, up to two floors high, for the rehabilitation of the zones affected by the severe earthquake of January 2001 in Kutch district.

• The Government of Iran (Housing Research Centre) as a suitable construction method, up to 8 m high (two floors), for the rehabilitation of the zones affected by the 2003 earthquake of Bam.

• The Government of Tamil Nadu, India, (Relief and Rehabilitation) as a suitable construction method for the rehabilitation of the zones affected by the 2004 tsunami of Indonesia

Government of Gujarat Compressive Strength – 75 Kg/cm2 Density- 1732 kg/m3

Government of Iraq Compressive Strength –57 Kg/cm2 Density- 1.83 Kg/m3

Government of Tamilnadu Dry Compressive Strength – 59.65 Kg/cm2 Wet Compressive Strength – 43.03 Kg/cm2

Compressive Strength of the wire cut bricks are 90-120 Kg/cm2 . This is nearly 50 % more than the CSEB, which is chosen as alternative by the above mentioned government policies, cause it bears load 45 % more than the country bricks (30-40 Kg/cm2) and also economically viable for a government housing

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Source – Auroville Earth Institute , Website

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Earthen Architecture – Tool to solve housing problem Un d e rsta n d ing t h e eco n o mic a sp e c t s a n d p rin c ip le s

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Earthen Housing And Housing Scenario – In India Katcha Houses: Houses, in which both walls and roof are made of temporary or katcha materials that have to be replaced frequently, are placed in the category. As per NSS, katcha materials include unburnt bricks, bamboo, mud, grass, leaves, reeds, thatch..

(i) Serviceable : Census describes temporary houses as those made of mud, un burnt bricks or wood.

(ii) Non-serviceable : Census defines this category to comprise houses in which wall is made of grass, thatch, bamboo, plastic or polythene. •Out of total households, 18.2% were residing in katcha •Out of total Rural house holds, 17% were residing in katcha (NSS 2001) •Out of total urban house holds ,2.1% residing in katcha houses ( NSS 2008)

HOUSING SCENARIO IN INDIA • The world‟s homeless population is estimated to be around 1 billion people. • In India, around 1% of the total population is without a home (2001 Census). Approximately 60% of the homeless population is from the rural areas.

HOUSING SHORTAGE The housing shortage is estimated to be 148.33 lakh houses as per 2001Census.

• The housing shortage has increased @ 0.89 million houses per year during 1991-2002.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Data from National Statistical Survey - 2001 11TH FIVE YEAR PLAN estimated the total rural housing shortage during 2007-12 at 47.43 million houses. Of these 42.69 million or 90% of the total shortage pertains to BPL families.

The housing shortage is estimated to increase 5-10% from the above provided values with increasing population rate.

NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE ..

!!!!!!

Source – NSS 2001, 2008 , http://www.nistads.res.in/indiasnt2008/t6rural/t6rur6.htm

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Application of CSEB CSEB is a very labour intensive technology - 13 people per press for manual pressing (when there is one machine for production of Blocks )

COST OF CSEB (PRODUCTION) : • Labor represents more than 40% • Cement and equipment are about 30% • Raw materials are less than 30%

INTERVENTION IN GOVT HOUSING SCHEMES Category

• The Green house scheme of the government , funds for reconstruction of the Old and traditional mud houses . But this tends to increase in Concrete structure, which in term increases the co2 emission and embodied energy of the structures.

Cost of construction /SFT Green House Scheme- 300/sft

• Reconstruction could be done with the same material – REUSE OF THE MUD FROM THE OLD BUILDING . This can reduce the cost up to 20 % of CSEB

Country Fired Bricks (CFB)

CSEB

550-600

1400

1,80000

420000

CSEB (Own production CSEB (Own production + + Mud from Site)

Mud from Site + Self Help)

1200

900

650-700

360000

270000

195000

COST COMPARISON : Maximum 0f 15% can be taken as profit by CSEB when

WHAT COULD BE DONE ..???

• Repairing of the structures could be done. For which the reconstruction is not required.

PWD (Rs)

compared with conventional cost

• Cement and equipment are about 30% - This cost could not be reduced . But the cost of cement for PWD works can be reduced from 10 – 15% . The equipment may be hired from the Local training Centers , which van be erected major rural areas • When the Labour and the soil cost is reduced , by using the concept of DIY and reuse of materials , the cost of CSEB can be reduced by 40 -45%. (Considering 4 persons out of 11 man team to be skilled and others unskilled mostly villagers themselves)

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Source – Auroville Earth Institute , Website

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Current Trends and Researches Un d e rsta n d ing t h e in n ovat ive a p p ro a c h towa rd s t h e a ge o ld te c h n iq u e

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Researches on Innovative alternatives WASTE NYLON FIBRE +LATERITE BLOCKS ◦

Various tests done with different samples

The process, is done with waste nylon fibers of fishnet, so ◦ as to utilize the waste

Density of the Material decreases with a increase in the fiber content .

◦

Compressive strength decreases with a increase in nylon content

◦

Raw material for the process

◦

Mixing– Hand and machine mixing

SISAL FIBRE+CSEB SISAL FIBRE is a fibre extracted from

◦

Percentage of Water Absorption Keeps increasing with the increasing content of the fiber, and as the density is also lower.

Research Findings - Addition of cassava powder in

CASAVA POWDER + CSEB

range of 1.5% by weight of dry soil provides strength that is more than two times that recommended

the species Agave sisalana . This species is widely found in Goa, India.

CASAVA (Maravali Kilangu) ◦

It is extensively cultivated as annual crop in tropical and sub tropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates.

◦

These edible roots are powdered and added to the soil as a stabilizing agent

Research Findings - Optimum compressive strength is obtained by reinforcement of the soil sample with 0.75% sisal fibres by weight of soil. In this case the compressive strength Improves by 90.5% COMPARED WITH THE PLAIN EARTH BLOCK,

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Source – Research papers on http://www.slideshare.net/wanrempit/laterite-bricks-with-nylon-fiber

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Innovative techniques SPECIAL ACOUSTIC GREEN BRICKS ◦

In order to optimize the acoustic behavior of domed rooms, a special loam brick with rounded corners was developed by the Gernot Minke.

◦

The rounded corners and the corbelling effect of the bricks yield good sound distribution,

◦

Good sound absorption is produced by the cut-off joints and the holes in the brick..

NEXT GENARATION BRICKS – Bricks that grow ◦ Layers of the filling

Required Materials

The process, known as microbial-induced calcite precipitation, or MICP, uses the microbes on sand to bind the grains together like glue with a chain of chemical reactions.

1. Place the formwork in the 7. Pour the cementing solution sand. over the sand. 2. Fill it up.

8. Let it saturate.

3. Level.

9. Watch the brick harden.

4. Shake bacteria solution.

10. Remove the formwork.

5. Pour it over the sand.

11. Watch the brick harden

6. Let it saturate.

12. Behold the bio brick

Step by Step Process of Production : The resulting mass resembles sandstone but, depending on how it‟s made, can reproduce the strength of fired-clay brick or marble.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Metropolis‟ Next Generation competition - Ginger Krieg Dosier, - Next Generation Bricks – Research Documents.

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Researches on Alternatives - Auroville POURED EARTH CONCRETE - The soil, in a liquid state, is poured like concrete into formworks. The soil characteristics must be very sandy or gravely and should be stabilised.

◦

This technique is a new development and is very seldom used. The reason is that the high water content of the soil will induce a lot of shrinkage when it will dry. Thus the wall will crack and generally a lot.

STABILISED WATER PROOFING : The aim of this research is to find alternative plasters to cement plasters for waterproofing roofs. The earth is mixed with sand and stabilised with cement and a paste made of lime, tannin, alum (Ammonium sulphate) and water. Tannin is extracted by soaking into water broken seeds of an Indian tree, named “kaddukai” in Tamil Nadu. Its botanical name is Terminelia Chebula. The lime paste is prepared by mixing powdered alum with lime and tannin juice and extra water.

Preparing the lime-alumtannin paste

Mix of soil, sand, cement and the lime-alum-tannin plaster

Waterproofing a vault with stabilised earth plaster

DISADVANTAGE : After some years the waterproofing is not effective anymore. It seems that the UV of the sun destroys alum and tannin. Hence after 5 years this waterproofing let rainwater go through and the vaults get damp inside. Therefore this research is still under way and hence the recipes are not yet disseminated through documentation or training courses. The tested proportions are given in the specification book of Auroville Earth institute

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

Source – Auroville Earth Institute , Website

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Inference - Summary Sustainability Check:

Government Housing Schemes :

Making a clay brick in a coal-powered kiln, fired at 2,000F, emits about

Cause of the large scale demand , government schemes face difficulty to balance between the QUALITY AND COST. So in most of the case quality of building are compromised for the cost effective solution.

1.3 pounds of carbon dioxide. No of Bricks Manufactured / year :

When One goes for a mud based solution . The rates are nearly the

1.23 trillion brick (more pollution

same with NO

than is created by all the airplanes in the world per yr. )

QUALITY COMPROMISE

Disaster Resistance Housing :

If biomanufactured masonry replaced each new brick on the planet, it would

The Remains of the Gujarat Earthquake 2001 proves that Mud structures are stronger when designed and constructed in a better way .

reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by at least 800 million tons /yr

Finally – “ THE Comfortable living “ For a small House of 5 * 6 m (30sqm) requires approximately 4200 – 4500 bricks for one brick thick walls.

Nearly , 70 – 72 trees have to be burnt for this purpose

Firing One tree can produce – 62 brick (Standard bricks)

400 trees are required to produce 25000 bricks .. ! !

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

At the end of the day ,humans require a comfortable living that can sustain for quiet a period of time Lots of researches today are analyzing the thermal comfort of a place and conclude saying that the traditional construction material are the creator of better environment..

Metropolis‟ Next Generation competition - Ginger Krieg Dosier, - Next Generation Bricks – Research Documents.

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Role of …. Buildings are regarded as the skin that protects us from external sources … Role of An Architect :

Role of the Government :

As an architect , One need to understand the above mentioned phrase carefully and create structures that are sustainable, comfortable for living and economically viable too.

Government agencies needs to concentrate on the policy level issues. The guidelines need to formulated in order to make this a standard material for construction

WHAT COULD BE DONE ??? Promote and practice earthen construction. Most of the clients today are fascinated by the technological improvement of the construction industry and also demand for a SPEEDY SOLUTION . As an architect , we should learn to balance between these two extremities. Most importantly We need to transfer knowledge to upcoming generations - Overall view of Auroville Earth institute and its team.

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

WHAT COULD BE DONE ??? Various schemes currently available, need to be updated with a thought of maintaining the mud houses and to repair if needed. BPL people are to be trained for constructing their own house with mud, so that they need not have to spend money on labour. Averagely production of CSE blocks / day varies from 850 to 1000 (240) . So the villagers themselves can make the bocks for their house. Building training centre , can be updated with the earth construction techniques

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Conclusion THOUGHT ON EARTHEN CONSTRUCTION 1.

Earth is not a standardized building material

Misconceptions and Ignorance: These are the two main factors that pulls down the earthen construction technique.

Auroville Earth institute and few other firms like Biome solutions , Bangalore says that people have started to understand the importance of earth buildings . People's interest on this topic is increasing in the last decade , Trainees and no of practicing architects have also increased.

2.

Earth mixtures shrink when drying

3.

Earth is not water and Termite-resistant

4.

Earthen construction – Not a speedy process

5.

Earth balances air humidity

6.

Earth stores heat

7.

Earth saves energy and reduces environmental pollution

All material has its own positives and negatives . When rating a material , based on its positives and negatives , the ratio between the both categories gives us the quality of the material.

8.

Earth is always reusable

Earthen construction – Has lots of positives and potentials , but being

9.

Earth saves material and transportation costs

10. Earth is ideal for do-it-yourself construction

11. Earth absorbs pollutants

“ To create an awareness , and bring out the potential of earth is our main aim “ says – Ar. Nourredine Kebaili

ignored because of few reasons, which can be overcome. Learning about this age old technique , can give solutions to many problems that we are currently facing in our day today life. These techniques and the various alternatives that are used to improve various aspects are to be standardized so that this techniques becomes the conventional material for the current scenario

EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO

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Traditional Material Given A Contemporary Image .. !!!!

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A

technique of the past

helping us today to develop a “healthy & green future…”

„ Building with earth has a great past, but also a promising future everywhere in the world‟ - Ar. Satprem Maini

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Reference Books: ◦ Earth Architecture - By Ronald Rael ◦ Books and code of practice from Auroville Earth institute. ◦ Building with Earth: Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture – By Gernot Minke

Research papers : Development of Cost-Effective Earthen Building Material for Housing Wall Construction: Investigations into the Properties of Compressed Earth Blocks Stabilized with Sisal Vegetable Fibres, Cassava Powder and Cement Compositions. A Doctoral Dissertation By Saul Sitati Namango , Kenya http://www.slideshare.net/wanrempit/laterite-bricks-with-nylon-fiber http://www.auroville.org/thecity/architecture/appr_technology/earthtechnology.htm http://www.sustainable.com.au/energy-efficient-construction.html http://www.earth-auroville.com/ Survey Data - NSS 2001, 2008

http://www.nistads.res.in/indiasnt2008/t6rural/t6rur6.htm

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Thank you …

Presented by – Janaki RM – 10AR28

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