Auroshilpam Auroville 605 101 TN INDIA Tel +91 (0) 413 – 262 3064, 262 3330 Fax 91 (0) 413 – 262 2886 Email: earthinstitute@auroville.org.in Web site: http://www.earth-auroville.com

The Auroville Earth Institute was previously named the Auroville Building Centre / Earth Unit, which had been founded by HUDCO, Government of India, in 1989. The development of the former building centre evolved in such a way that the Auroville Earth Institute came into existence in 2004. The Auroville Earth Institute is researching, developing, promoting and transferring earth-based technologies, which are cost and energy effective. These technologies are disseminated through training courses, seminars, workshops, manuals and documents. The Institute is also offering various services, and provides consultancy within and outside India. The emphasis is focused on the research and development of earth based technologies and their dissemination through training courses. The most promoted technology today is Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB). One of the aims of the Auroville Earth Institute is to give people the possibility to create and build for themselves their own habitat, while using earth techniques. The Auroville Earth Institute is part of a world network with CRATerre (The International Centre for Earth Construction), ABC Terra in Brazil and a number of Indian NGO’s. A training convention has been passed with the School of Architecture of Grenoble, France, for giving long-term training courses to their students. The Auroville Earth Institute is today the representative and resource centre for Asia of the UNESCO Chair “Earthen Architecture, Constructive Cultures and Sustainable Development”. This Chair aims to accelerate the dissemination of scientific and technical know-how on earthen architecture amongst the higher education institutions, in the following three domains: environment and heritage, human settlements, and economy and production. The Auroville Earth Institute is also member of BASIN South Asia (Building Advisory Service and Information Network) and it provides information and guidance to whoever asks for it. The training course activities and the endeavour to promote raw earth as a building material for sustainable and cost effective development has brought since 1989 a series of twelve awards: Eleven national awards and one international award The Auroville Earth Institute plan to develop its activities in the future and we are seeking to offer, after some time, a one-year curriculum to students of various levels which would be granted with these diplomas: ‐ Post diploma “Specialisation in earth architecture” to architects and engineers ‐ Diploma “Bare foot earth architect” to educated people, for setting up entrepreneurships ‐ Diploma “Master mason earth builder” to uneducated people This syllabus will be organised in the following years, the time for the Auroville Earth Institute to be reorganised and developed.

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A TEAM OF BUILDING PARTNERS

The Auroville Earth Institute has become over the year a team of building partners, whose achievements have been possible only through their teamwork. Everybody plays an indispensable role in the team, which is composed today of 20 permanent and very dedicated workers and about 10 temporary workers, for construction sites and office work, for construction sites and office work.

SATPREM MAINI

Satprem is a French national born the 18th May 1959 at Bône, Algeria. Soul of the Auroville Earth Institute, he is the executive of the institute. He works as an architect and builder, consultant, researcher, trainer and lecturer. He graduated in France and he has an architect master and a postgraduate master degree in Earthen Architecture. Since 2000, he is the representative for Asia of the UNESCO Chair “Earthen Architecture, Constructive Cultures and Sustainable Development. He is an occasional consultant of the United Nations (UNESCO, UNIDO, UNDP, UNCHS / Habitat); a member of CRATerre/EAG (International Centre of Earth Construction, France), an honorary member of ABC Terra (Brazilian Centre for Earth Construction), a member of the German Network of earth builders (Dachverband Lehm e.V.), a member of ISET (the Indian Society of Earthquake Technology), and a member INHAF (India Habitat Forum).

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF SATPREM Since the early 1980’s, his endeavour has been based on the adaptation and renaissance of traditional techniques, use of local materials, participation of individuals and the reconsideration of the role of the architect: from creator and builder to animator and psychologist. Since 1985, the endeavour to revive traditional techniques and local materials has been essentially based on the use of raw earth as a building material. With this background, the field of action was oriented for several years towards humanitarian help and small-scale training in developing countries. But this quest was unsatisfactory and imperfect, as the main dimension was missing, namely Spirituality. While conducting a training course in India, the circle was closed. Auroville was discovered, and the choice of a new and different life decided upon. Since 1989, Satprem’s life has been dedicated to Auroville, India and the World for the recognition of our Mother Earth, while using its matter for the sake of sustainable developments. His life is a burning brazier offered to the Lord and is dedicated to Karma Yoga, the work done as an offering to the Divine, for the Lord’s Action upon Earth. The research conducted with the earth as a building material is focussed upon discovering the consciousness hidden within the material. The contact with this consciousness helps the latter to evolve, as well as our own consciousness. Satprem’s fields of research and action are based in Auroville, for building the first city of a new era. His expertise and intervention are not limited to Auroville, and his services are offered worldwide. 29 countries benefited of his services over the last 25 years, for periods varying from a few days to a few years. Since 1989, Satprem and his team have trained more than 6,100 people, mostly Indian nationals, but also 933 people from 62 other nations. Today, the architectural research being conducted by Satprem integrates symbols and a holistic approach to life. A life where men and women must melt themselves into the environment, while using sustainable techniques and energies, and evolve spiritually so as to rediscover again their cosmic origins. Since 1992, the Sanskrit surname Satprem, meaning Truth and Love, has replaced the birth surname, Serge.

T. AYYAPPAN

Ayyappan is an Indian national born 18th February 1971 at Edayanchavadi, Tamil Nadu – India. He followed a standard education in his village, and became over the years a very skilful, dedicated and trustful technician. Today he is the right arm of Satprem, and works as a draftsman, site supervisor, researcher and trainer. He supervises also the long term trainees who are doing the architectural studies for the various projects. Ayyappan conducts also courses in various parts of India.

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TRAINING COURSES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

Since its inception in September 1989, the training activities of the former AVBC/Earth Unit have been oriented exclusively towards the dissemination of earth based technologies and earthen architecture. The training activities started in 1990 and now, the Institute goes on with such intensive courses. There are every year regular courses of 2-weeks duration, which are held in Auroville. Major programmes are also organised in Auroville or elsewhere in India at the request of HUDCO. With the collaboration and under the request of CRATerre, the Auroville Earth Institute is also conducting training programs outside India, as has happened in Zaire, Eritrea, Turkey Sri Lanka and Brazil to date. Other programmes are conducted in Auroville, or elsewhere in India, under the request of various NGOs or Centres, such as: “APTibet”, Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan, Catholic Relief Services, Development Alternatives, Vivekananda Kendra, etc.

Theoretical classes

Production of CSEB

Masonry with CSEB

Rammed earth walls

Arches, vaults and domes

Awareness programmes

Regular programmes are conducted every year in the following fields, at the Auroville Earth Institute: Production of CSEB

One-week course for various skills – 4 to 6 courses per year Masonry with CSEB

One-week course for various skills – 4 to 6 courses per year Theory of arches, vaults and domes

One-week course for engineers or architects, technicians or students – One course per year Building with arches, vaults and domes

One-week course for various skills – One course per year Long-term training for students of architecture

4 to 6 trainees from India or abroad are trained every year for a period varying from 1 to 6 months each Awareness programmes on appropriate building technologies

One or two day programmes for Schools of Architecture, Council of Architecture, architects and engineers, and for project managers from HUDCO – 8 to 10 programmes per year

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Occasional courses are given in Auroville or elsewhere in India, in the field of CSEB and appropriate building technologies: Production of CSEB Disaster resistant buildings and AUM house construction

Training course conducted for trainers of other Building Centres, as has happened for the rehabilitation of Orissa after the super cyclone of October 1999 and in Gujarat after the earthquake of January 2001.

Production, masonry and design with hollow interlocking blocks for earthquake resistance Training course conducted upon request, to various NGOs working for the rehabilitation of the areas affected by disasters, as has happened in Gujarat with Catholic Relief Services.

Occasional seminars and workshops are given in India or abroad. Papers are presented to national or international seminars.

Since the beginning of the training activities in 1990, more than 6,100 people from 63 countries have been trained: 5,697 trainees in India (Auroville and elsewhere) and 422 abroad in 13 other countries:

TRAININGS IN INDIA 2,977 students, architects, project managers, during 1/2 to 2-day awareness programmes, in Auroville. 1,922 Indian trainees of various skills, during 1-week or 2-week courses in Auroville or elsewhere in India. 511 foreign trainees of various skills, from 59 countries, during 1-week or long-term courses (95 long terms trainees):

Australia: 22, Austria: 2, Bangladesh: 4, Belgium: 45, Brazil: 3, Cameroon: 4, Canada: 10, China: 1, Colombia: 3, Croatia: 1, Ecuador: 1, Egypt: 1, Ethiopia: 4, Denmark: 1, France: 68, Gambia: 2, Germany: 26, Ghana: 1, Israel: 13, Italy: 17, Ireland: 3, Japan: 1, Jordan: 1, Kazakhstan: 1, Kenya: 1, Korea: 5, Luxembourg: 2, Malawi: 1, Mexico: 2, Morocco: 4, Namibia: 1, Nederland: 8, Nepal: 15, New Zealand: 3, Nigeria: 3, Norway: 1, Peru: 1, Philippines: 2, Poland: 2, Portugal: 6, Russia: 1, Scotland: 3, Senegal: 1, Spain: 13, South Africa: 9, Sri Lanka: 63, Sweden: 4, Switzerland: 4, Taiwan: 1, Tanzania: 3, Thailand: 1, Tibet: 16, Turkey: 1, Uganda: 1, UK: 18, Ukraine: 1, USA: 77, Venezuela: 1, Zambia: 1

72 Indian students or architects, during long-term courses (Several weeks to several months). 215 masons or workers, during “on the job training”, on various construction sites in India (Auroville and Tamil Nadu)

TRAININGS ABROAD 422 trainees of various skills, during workshops, 2-week or longer courses, in 13 countries.

(Zaire, Eritrea, Turkey, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, France, Israel, South Africa, Ethiopia, Nepal, Libya and Tanzania)

MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES

The Auroville Earth Institute lays emphasis on the management of resources as a precondition to building with earth. Building with earth can be synonymous of appropriate and sustainable development if resources are managed properly. On the opposite side, if things are done without care or unconsciously, it can lead to further destruction of nature and can create an ecological disaster. Several types of quarries may be developed and a proper plan should be drawn up beforehand to avoid later on ecological unbalance. We teach in our training course how to use the nature’s resources with a lot of respect for our Mother Earth, so as to develop our environment in the most harmonious and sustainable way.

“All in this manifested world, consisting of moving and non-moving, are governed by the Lord. Use its resources with restraint.

Do not grab the property of others – distant and yet to come.” Isavasya Upanishad

Biological wastewater treatment

Basement floor

Percolation pit and landscaping

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AURAM EQUIPMENT FOR EARTH CONSTRUCTION A wide range of equipment for building with earth has been researched and developed from the very outset. It ranges from presses for compressed earth blocks, quality control devices for block making, handling equipment, hand tools, scaffolding, and rammed earth equipment. This equipment is mostly sold in South Asia and Africa. Nevertheless, the renown of the AURAM Press 3000 has become such that it is sold worldwide: India: 316 presses, in nearly all states. Abroad: 133 presses in 22 countries on all continents, from Europe to South and North Americas.

Press 240 Press 3000 Rammed earth forms

Blocks produced by the Auram Press 3000

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VAULTED STRUCTURES The research with this kind of roofing aims to revive and integrate in the 21st century the techniques used in past centuries and millennia, such as those developed in ancient Egypt or during the period of gothic architecture in Europe. This R&D seeks to optimize the structures by increasing the span of the roof, decreasing its thickness, and creating new shapes. Note that all vaults and domes are built with compressed stabilised earth blocks, which are laid in “free spanning” mode (without formwork), which has been developed by the Auroville Earth Institute. This technique is a development of the Nubian technique.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS Domes of the Visitor’s Centre at Auroville

- 22 hemispherical domes on pendentives, 3.73 m square – 14 cm thick. - This Centre, of 1200 m2, was granted The 1992 “Hassan Fathy Award for Architecture for the Poor”

Vault of Mirramukhi School at Auroville

- Squinche of 7.30 m side – 2.25 m rise, - Giving birth to a segmental vault of 10.35 m span, 2.25 m rise, 6 m long, 17.7 & 14 cm thick

Vaults of the Training Centre at the Auroville Earth

Institute - “Egyptian shaped” vault of 5 m span 3.55 m rise 9 m long – 17.7 & 14 cm thick.

- Catenary vault of 6 m span – 3 m rise 4.80m long – 14, 11.5 & 7 cm thick.

- Rampant vault of 6 m span – 1.25 / 0.5 m rise 4.5 m long – 24, 17.7, 14, 11.5 & 7 cm thick.

- Lunettes of 0.80 & 1.20 m span, and bull eyes (∅ 80 cm), built without form – 7 cm thick.

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Dome of the Dhyanalingam temple at Poondi

Near Coimbatore - Segmental ellipse of 22.16 m diameter 7.90 m rise – 53, 42, 36, and 21 cm thick. - Due schedule constraints, this dome is the only

work, which has been built with fired bricks. - It weights 570 tons and has been built in 9

weeks, with semi-skilled labour and without formwork.

This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva.

Equilateral vault in the Auroville Earth Institute

premises - Vault studied like a catenary vault 3.60 m span, 3.12 m rise, 8m long 34 to 7 cm thick. - The vault ends with a cloister arch dome and has 2 lunettes. - It has been built with horizontal courses and without formwork.

Domes & vaults of Vikas apartments at Auroville

- 10 cloister domes on squinches of 4.20 m square, 0.50 m rise, 11.5 cm thick - 12 segmental vaults of 2.70 m span, 0.50 m rise 4.26 m long, 11.5 cm thick.

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APPROPRIATE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES BASED ON SOIL

This research aims to make extensive use of raw earth as the main building material. The idea is to use a local resource which can help developing technologies that are saving energy and are eco-friendly and sustainable. The main research and development tries to minimise the use of steel and cement. To date the main synthesis of this research is achieved with the Training Centre of the Auroville Earth Institute. This building is constructed entirely with stabilised earth, from the foundations to the waterproofing: Stabilised rammed earth foundations (with 5 % cement) Stabilised rammed earth walls (with 5 % cement and a “homeopathic” milk of lime and alum) Composite columns (round and hollow CSEB with reinforced concrete) Composite beams (U shape CSEB with reinforced concrete) Stabilized earth mortars and plasters Wide variety of compressed stabilised earth blocks

(17 moulds are presently available for producing about 75 different types of blocks) Various vaults with compressed stabilised earth blocks Alternative stabilizers to cement (“homeopathic” milk of lime and alum) Alternative waterproofing with stabilized earth (various mixes of soil, sand, cement, lime, alum and juice of a local seed)

Stabilised rammed earth foundations

Stabilised rammed earth walls

Composite plinth beam

Composite column 240

Composite column 290

Composite lintels and beams

Testing a composite beam Stabilised earth waterproofing Stabilised earth waterproofing

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DISASTER RESISTANT CONSTRUCTIONS

The last decade of the 20th century has seen all over the world a significant increase in natural catastrophes. In a changing world, building construction patterns need also to be changed. They need to answer the demand for disaster resistance, not only for the well-known areas which are disaster prone, but also for wider areas. The construction systems need also to address the problem of cost, which is for low-income groups a major parameter. Since 1995, research has been oriented towards the development of a system which is based on reinforced masonry with compressed stabilised earth blocks that are hollow interlocking. Two types of blocks have been developed: the square hollow interlocking block 245, which allows building up to 2–3 floors high, and the rectangular hollow interlocking block 295, which is used only for ground floors. The masonry with these blocks is reinforced at the critical points with reinforced cement concrete.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS MINE House (Minimum Emergency House)

This earthquake resistant house of 9 m2, was sponsored by UNCHS/HABITAT and was built in 8 days during the “1996 City Summit / HABITAT” at Istanbul – Turkey. It was done at the request of CRATerre.

AUM House • This cost effective and disaster resistant house of 23m2 was sponsored by HUDCO. The house was prefabricated at

Auroville and transported up to New Delhi, in a lorry of 22 tons. The superstructure of the house was assembled in 66 hours by our 18-man team during the “1999 India International Trade Fair” at New Delhi – India. This demonstration was granted a gold medal by the India Trade Promotion Organisation for the excellence of the special display.

• Another AUM House was built in 2000 in Orissa, on the occasion of a six-weeks training course, with HUDCO, for the rehabilitation of the zones affected by the cyclone of October 1999.

• In 2001, an improved model of the AUM House was built in Gujarat. It was the starting point for a few rehabilitation programmes in the zones affected by the earthquake of January 2001. The house was also prefabricated at Auroville and transported to Gujarat, where it was assembled in 62 hours by the 20-man team of the former Auroville Building Centre/Earth Unit.

• Another AUM House was built in 2002 in Gujarat, on the occasion of a six-weeks training course, with HUDCO, for the rehabilitation of the zones affected by the earthquake of January 2001.

MINE House – Istanbul, Turkey

Prototype of the AUM House – New Delhi

Improved AUM House – Khavda, Gujarat

This technology has been used extensively in Gujarat for the rehabilitation after the 2001 earthquake. With a six-month technical assistance from the Auroville Earth Institute, the Catholic Relief Services built 2698 houses and community centres in 39 villages. This technology was also transferred to Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan. This technology is presently being used in Iran at a smaller extent for the reconstruction of Bam, which was severely hit by the 2003 earthquake.

GOVERNMENT APPROVAL The technology has been approved by:

‐ The Government of Gujarat, India, (GSDMA) as a suitable construction method for the rehabilitation of the zones affected by the 2001 earthquake in Kutch district. It is allowed to build up to 2 floors.

‐ The Government of Iran (Housing Research Centre) as a suitable construction method for the rehabilitation of the zones affected by the 2003 earthquake of Bam. It is allowed to build up to 2 floors (8 m high).

‐ 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.

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HOLISTIC APPROACH TOWARDS ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION

The attempt is to integrate various alternative technologies and renewable energies, so as to promote eco-friendly and sustainable development. In this field the earth, as a building material, plays a major role, but other appropriate technologies like ferrocement, biological wastewater treatment, solar lighting, wind and solar pumping are also extensively used. The main achievement in this field is Vikas community, near the centre of Auroville, which has been created, designed, and built by the former Auroville Building Centre/Earth Unit. It presents the following features: Environmentally sound materials

- Compressed earth blocks (CSEB) of various qualities, which consume 5 to 15 times per m2 less energy to be produced and pollute 2.5 to 8 times less per m2 than fired bricks.

Appropriate building technologies - Stabilised earth, as building material, from foundations to roof. - Ferrocement pieces in various parts of the building. - Sparing use of concrete, glass, steel, etc.

Renewable energy sources - Solar energy (water heater, solar panels, surface pumps and submersible pump) and a wind pump.

Water management - Rain water harvesting with a particular landscaping. - Water harvesting from the overflow of the windmill and solar pump. - Biological wastewater treatment (lagooning system).

Earth management - The management of the soil resources is essential and the earth was taken from the wastewater treatment pond, garden

tank, and the basement floor of the 3rd building. Appropriate architecture design

- Natural cross ventilation and a solar chimney. - Sun protection with sunshades and a proper orientation of the building.

The experiment of Vikas found its roots in Auroville’s ideals. Nonetheless, its material developments could be implemented elsewhere in the world!

3rd building: 13 apartments on 4 floors

(3 floors above a basement floor)

Reservoirs, submersible solar pump

and wind pump

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WORLD CONSULTANCY

The Auroville earth Institute is regularly requested to conduct various kinds of consultancies in the world on various subjects, as has happen for these major projects: Assessment of pathologies and research for improving the traditional earth-based waterproofing for the conservation of the

XIIth century Buddhist Temple of Nako, made of adobes – Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India Assessment of the damages caused by the 2003 earthquake of Bam to vaulted structures of Arg-e-Bam and the city of Bam

– French Ministry of Culture and Communication – UNESCO – CRATerre - Iranian Cultural Heritage Organisation. Consultation for the design and construction of Al Medy Mosque, built in the centre of Riyadh – Riyadh Development

Authority, Saudi Arabia. Preparation of a development programme based on appropriate building technologies and evaluation for the completion of a

school with adobes – Appropriate Technologies for Central Asia – West Nangchen, Tibet

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRE

This resource centre aims to collect information for developing cities with appropriate and sustainable technologies. It has samples of appropriate building materials and technologies, plus a range of books, slides, photos and videos on appropriate building technologies and energy sources. It includes: A Building Material Resource Centre, with about 300 samples of earth-based materials, and various other products. A Technology Resource Centre, with about 45 samples of earth-based technologies and various appropriate technologies

like ferrocement. A Documentation Resource Centre, with more than 2,000 books, around 20,000 digital photos on earth architecture and

appropriate building technologies, energy sources, and about 30 videos on appropriate building technologies.

PUBLICATION OF MANUALS Six series of books and manuals have been published for the dissemination of earth-based technologies. They can be ordered from the Auroville Earth Institute and a few thousands of them have been disseminated since the inception of the centre. 32 publications are presently available in 6 series:

Introductory booklets Lecture summaries Training manuals Case studies User manuals CDs

COLLECTION OF SOIL SAMPLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD The Auroville Earth Institute has been collecting soil samples from all over the world since many years. It was initially started for technical reasons to identify the soil qualities of the world, and to show the different textures and colours of soil from around the world. Today we also aim to collect them as a testimony of Human Unity, as Auroville aims, among other things, to reach this goal. During the foundation ceremony of Auroville on the 28th February 1968, 124 Nations including the 23 States of India dropped in an urn at the centre of the future township a handful of soil from their country. 319 samples from 89 nations are presently displayed in glass jars at our premises: Asia : Bhutan, China, Japan, Nepal, Tibet Central Asia : Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan South Asia : Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Korea, Maldives, New Caledonia,

New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam Africa : Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar,

Maurice Island, Mauritania, Malawi, Morocco, Malta, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Tunisia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zaire

Europe : Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Spain, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey

North America : Canada, USA

South America : Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay

Middle East : Dubai, Iran, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

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TWELVE AWARDS

2006 First prize of the all India design competition “Multi hazard resistant shelter”

Gandhigram Rural Institute, and funded by Bhoomika Trust, Chennai – India The final certificate was remitted by the President of India, Sri Abdul Kalam on the 27th July 2007

2005

First prize of the all India design competition “Hazard resistant house” Gandhigram Rural Institute, and funded by Bhoomika Trust & ICA-USA, Chennai – India

2000

“India Gold Star Award” and gold medal” Excellence award presented to “Only one very excellent individual from all over India for his exploit in his field of work.” FFI (Friendship Forum of India), New Delhi – India

“Glory of India Award” and gold medal” Excellence award for “Great achievement and exploit in his field of work.” FFI (Friendship Forum of India), New Delhi – India

1999

“Nation’s Vikas Jyoti Award” Excellence award for

“Individual Achievement for the growth of Indian economy” WEDF (World Economic Development Association), New Delhi – India

Gold medal

“Excellence in presentation of special display on Build Tech pavilion 99” For the disaster resistant house – AUM house, which was built in 66 hours, during the India International Trade Fair 1999 ITPO (India Trade Promotion Organisation), New Delhi – India

“Bharat Excellence Award” and gold medal” Excellence award for “Outstanding leadership and extra-ordinary achievements in his field of work and for the services rendered to promote greater friendship and India-International co-operation” FFI (Friendship Forum of India), New Delhi – India

1998

“Bharthiya Nirman Ratan Award” Excellence award of Indian construction, for “Individual Outstanding Achievement and Nation Building”

IEDRA (Indian Economic Development and Research Association), New Delhi – India

1996 “Best Building Centre in India” For “Outstanding performance”

HUDCO & Ministry of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, New Delhi – India

1995 “Best Building Centre in India” For “Outstanding performance”

HUDCO & Ministry of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, New Delhi – India

1994 “Best Building Centre in India” For “Outstanding performance”

HUDCO & Ministry of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, New Delhi – India

1992 “Hassan Fathy’s International Award for architecture for the poor”

For the Visitors Centre at Auroville Hassan Fathy Foundation, Cairo – Egypt

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MAJOR PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE AUROVILLE EARTH INSTITUTE

PROJECT NAME, LOCATION & COST

CLIENT & FUNDING SOURCES

MAIN FEATURES CONSTRUCTION PERIOD

Visitors Centre, at Auroville 30 Lakhs Rs.

Auroville Foundation Funded by: - HUDCO - MNES - UNCHS / Habitat

Appropriate architecture design of 1200 m2 Appropriate building technologies Renewable energy sources (Solar and Wind) Built in collaboration with Suhasini Ayer, Architect International Award: ”1992 Hassan Fathy Award

for architecture for the poor”

1989 – 1992 40 months

Shakti Vihara School For 700 children, at Pondicherry 50 Lakhs Rs.

NGO Volontariat Funded by Volontariat & EEC

Appropriate architecture design of 2200 m2 Appropriate building technologies (stabilised

rammed earth foundations, CSEB walls and ferrocement items

1991 – 1994 48 months

Mirramukhi School, at Auroville 15 Lakhs Rs.

Auroville Foundation Funded by: - Government of India - Auroville Foundation

Appropriate architecture design of 635 m2 Stabilised rammed earth foundations and walls Cloister arch domes (5.76 m span, 2.25m rise), built

with CSEB and without formwork Segmental vault (10.35 m span, 2.25m rise), built

with CSEB and without formwork

1994 – 1995 20 months

Vikas Community, at Auroville 75 Lakhs Rs.

Collective of clients Funded by: - Themselves - AVI Centres - Auroville Foundation

Appropriate architecture of 1448 m2, on 2 or 4 floors, with 23 apartments

Appropriate building technologies Renewable energy sources (Solar and Wind) Ecological water management Biological waste water treatment Finalist for the 2000 World Habitat Award, by BSHF,

UK

1991 – 1998 45 months

Minimum Emergency House, At Istanbul, Turkey ~ 1000 USD

UNCHS / HABITAT, through CRATerre Funded by UNCHS & Governt of Finland

Earthquake and cyclone resistant house of 9 m2 Walls built with hollow interlocking CSEB Cloister arch dome (3 m span, 60 cm rise), built with

CSEB and without formwork

1998 2 weeks

Road experiment 0.5 Lakhs Rs.

Auroville Foundation Funded by itself

Sub course and wearing course, done with stabilised rammed earth, stabilised with various kinds of stabilisation

Carriage way: 5 m wide x 30 m long

1998 3 weeks

Dome of the Dhyanalingam temple, for Lord Shiva, at Coimbatore 11 Lakhs Rs.

Isha Foundation Funded by itself

22.16 m diameter, 7.90 m rise, 54 to 23 cm thick Section: segmental ellipse Dome, of 570 tons, built with fired bricks with the

free spanning technique (without formwork)

December 1998 To January 1999

9 weeks

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AUM Houses, At New Delhi, in Orissa and in Gujarat Several times 0.65 Lakhs Rs.

HUDCO & NGO Abhiyan Funded by themselves

Disaster resistant house of 23 m2, built with hollow interlocking CSEB and interlocking ferrocement channels

Built in 66 hours at Delhi, and awarded gold medal

by ITPO for the quality of the demonstration Built in Orissa for the rehabilitation of the zones

affected by the super cyclone of 1999 Built in Gujarat in 62 hours for starting rehabilitation

programmes of the zones affected by the 2001 earthquake

1 week demonstration 2 weeks (training)

1999, 2000 2001, 2002

Training Centre of the former Auroville Building Centre/Earth Unit at Auroville 50 Lakhs Rs.

Auroville Foundation Auroville Building Centre/Earth Unit Funded by HUDCO (India), KFW (Germany) and personal donations

Various stabilised earth technologies on 655 m2 Stabilised rammed earth foundations Walls built with plain or hollow interlocking CSEB

and stabilised rammed earth Various vaults of various shapes and spans, built

with CSEB, with the free spanning technique Waterproofing done with alternative stabilised earth

plasters Biological waste water treatment

1989 – 2002

Ongoing development (± 60 months)

Al Medy Mosque at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ~ 440,000 USD

Ar Riyadh Development Authority, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Financed by the city of Riyadh

Transfer of technology from Auroville to Saudi Arabia Various stabilised earth technologies on 420 m2 Walls built with plain CSEB and stabilised rammed

earth Semicircular vaults and domes of 3 m, built with

CSEB, with the free spanning technique Minaret of 18.05 m high built with CSEB

Jan – Feb 2004 7 weeks

Sri Karneshwar Nataraja temple, near Auroville 20 Lakhs Rs.

Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of the Auroville Foundation

Temple for Lord Shiva Nataraja Built with CSEB: pointed cloister dome of 6 m

square Pyramid of 10.65 m square, with the same

proportions than the great pyramid of Egypt.

Feb – Sept. 2006 6 months

Note: 1 Lakh = 100,000 – 1 USD. = ~ 47 Rs. (Value January 2010)

CONTACT Mr. Satprem Maïni Architect, Director Auroville Earth Institute UNESCO Chair Earthen Architecture, Representative for Asia BASIN (Building Advisory Service and Information Network) for South Asia Auroville Earth Institute Auroshilpam Auroville 605 101 Tamil Nadu, INDIA

Tel: + 91 (0) 413 – 262 3064, 262 3330 Fax: + 91 (0) 413 – 262 2886 Email: earthinstitute@auroville.org.in Web: http://www.earth-auroville.com

Document updated on 5th January 2010

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