Gramavidya, a non-profit development organisation, promoted by a group of professionals, academicians, scientists, technologists, and sociologists, is propagating sustainable livelihoods through alternative, environment-friendly appropriate technologies. The promoters are pioneers in the development of alternative and energy-efficient construction technologies in the country.
To share their knowledge for the benefit of the users, they are announcing a three-day introductory course on Alternative and Energy Efficient Building Technologies from April 2 to 4.
Although everyone around us seems concerned about sustainability and exploring greener technologies, it was in the mid-1970s that the search for alternatives in building technologies was instituted at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (formerly ASTRA) and Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
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Simple, cost-effective, environment friendly, energy-efficient technologies were developed and field-tested over three decades.
Stabilised Mud Block Technology is one of the most important ones among them to get early recognition and it has withstood the test of time since then.
Recognising the need for large-scale dissemination, Gramavidya was conceived and today it disseminates information through professionals along with field testing and adapting alternative building technologies.
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Says M.R.Yogananda of Mrinmayee, who is one amongst the group spearheading the awareness of sustainable architecture, especially stabilised mud block, “Over last two decades, considerable work has been done in the field of alternative construction technologies. While knowledge dissemination has been inadequate, the human resource development also seems limited. The end-users therefore need more awareness of the alternatives that are available today. Hence the urgent need to reach out to various stakeholders and potential ‘change makers’.”
Course contentThe course would cover various aspects of alternative technologies. The training methodologies include lectures, audiovisual presentation, hands-on training and interactive open house discussions. The medium of communication will be mainly English.
The sessions on April 2 and 3 start at 9.15 a.m. and conclude at 7 p.m. On April 4, the programme concludes at 6 pm.
The course will cover, amongst others, energy in buildings, green building concepts, alternatives in masonry, earthquake-resistant masonry, building with mud, foundation alternatives, filler slab roof, composite T-beam roof, masonry vaults and domes, cultural approach to design, and case studies.
Practical / hands-on training will include soil identification, stabilized mud block making, stabilized adobe block making, rammed earth construction, joints in masonry, arch panels, vaults and domes.
ProfessionalsSome of the professionals who are behind the programme coming together are K.S. Jagadish, RVCE; B.V. Venkatarama Reddy, IISc; M.R.Yogananda of Mrinmayee, Subhas C. Basu and T. Krishna, architects; Jagadish, civil engineer, Gramavidya; and A.V. Pramod Mahijaa, K.N. Sudhakar Reddy & D.J. Harish Prasad, course coordinators.
Venue : Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited (RGRHCL) – Koushalya Shaale , Survey No.205 (Opp. Beedi Workers Colony), Kommaghatta Road, Bandemath, Kengeri Satellite Town, Website: gramavidya.tripod.com Facebook : Mrinmayee-Gramavidya