Are we changing the face of Earth, permanently?

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, the global building industry will have poured more than 19,000 bathtubs of concrete. -Jonathan Watts, The Guardian, Feb 2019. Concrete is a widely used building material. This makes us wonder if we alienate ourselves from the source of our material choices? A stone quarry (limestone quarry in the case of concrete) is a permanent scar on the face of the Earth, soon these hills will disappear. Can we look at renewable and recycled alternatives to become a part of mainstream architecture and construction collective? Enroll in this lecture and demonstration series to know more about local building and material practices.
Building without Concrete, our first attempt

The Material Palette

Learn from an array of sustainable choices of renewable, repurposed and reused materials

  • Bamboo

    Use Bamboo for its tensile strength and ductility.

  • Mud Construction

    Use local soil and let your walls breathe.

  • Natural Pigments & Plaster

    Learn about natural paints and pigments

  • Hemp-crete

    Use Hemp, one of the strongest natural fiber, in your building.

  • Recycled Materials

    Recycling waste extends the utility-life of the resource

  • Salvage and Reuse

    Local practices for salvaging from construction debris in the vicinity of the site.

1. Bamboo

by CGBMT and Manasaram Architects

Bamboo as a constructive or decorative element, coating, facade, or roof has proven its superiority over materials such as plastic and steel. While it is true that research on this material has advanced significantly in recent years, we know that there is still much to learn. Join us on this journey of learning with Ar Neelam Manjunath, Founder Mansaram.
Click here for Hands-on-Training and more

2. Mud Construction

by Earthbound Architecture

Mud, yes the soil from your site can be used to build. COB is good for anything except height. It is particularly good for curved or round walls. PISE OR RAMMED EARTH is strong and ideal for solid, squat, single storey houses. ADOBE or SUN DRIED BRICKS can easily cope with two storey houses. PRESSED BRICKS smooth and very strong and can build three storey. WATTLE & DAUB is elegant and fine for Seismic Zones.
Click here for Hands-on Training

3. Natural Pigments and Plasters

by Prayog Design Collective

Comprehensive guide to techniques of Natural breathable surface finishes and renders. Learn about Natural Plasters (clay, lime, earth), Surface preparation and context, Plaster Ingredients- Base + Adhesive + Courses, Preparation Method, Application Techniques ( Method & Tools), Surface finishes & Textures, Protection and Maintenance.
Click here for Hands-on Training

4. Hempcrete

by GoHemp Agroventures

Hempcrete is one of the most sustainable building materials on earth.Its an ancient Indian technology evident from its use in Caves of Ellora and Daulatabad Fort. Hempcrete is actually a bio aggregate lime concrete. It is a mixture of hemp shives which is wastage from hemp fiber extraction and lime, sand & few mineral binders. It is a sustainable, light weight, earthquake resistant, fire resistant, thermally and acoustically insulating, breathable, pest & mold resistant, carbon fixing,renewable building material which can change the world.
Click here for Hands-on Training

5. Salvage Materials

by Kaushik Shrinivas

Traditional building materials are meant to be reused, although with our current accelerated lifestyle, we not only forgot how to use them but also contribute to tonnes of construction waste. Coming to think of it, wouldn’t construction waste (urban/rural) be one of the most sustainable materials if we just learn how to use them back? Join us to learn how these salvaged materials can be used back in construction and given a second chance to life. The reference image is of Abraham’s Homeland by COSTFORD, 90% - 95% of the materials used in this building are salvaged..
Watch Recording here