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TRANSFER OF EARTH-BASED

TECHNOLOGIES THE EARTH INSTITUTE – AUROVILLE, TAMIL NADU

DOCUMENTATION OF BEST PRACTICE

MARCH 2011

Researched and Documented By:

OneWorld Foundation India

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Earth Institute, Auroville1 was borne out of the Auroville Building Centre

(Earth Unit) which was founded through a grant given by the Housing and

Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO), Government of India. The

non-profit organisation began its work in 2004 as a world class training and

research centre for transfer of earth-based technologies.

The Auroville Earth Institute is part of a world network as a partner of

CRATerre (The International Centre for Earth Construction), ABC Terra- Brazil,

and a number of Indian NGOs. It is also the Asian representative of the

UNESCO Chair, ‘Earthen Architecture, Constructive Cultures and Sustainable

Development’. Through this position, the institute aims to effectively

disseminate technical knowledge of earthen architecture to higher education

institutions in the three focus areas: environment and heritage, human

settlements, and economy and production.

Today, the institute offers training courses in sustainable architecture – use of

earth for block making and appropriate design through arches and domes. The

aim of the training is to impart knowledge upon those who have a basic

understanding of architecture for the global promotion of environmentally

friendly, cost effective and low maintenance technologies.

To date, the Earth Institute has trained over 6,700 people from 67 countries

(about 550 per year). It has also been given two international and 11 Indian

awards for its excellence in building and architecture.

1 Auroville is a township located in the district of Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu, just outside of

Puducherry. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, who is referred to by Aurovillians as

‘Mother’. The aim of the township is to promote human unity. Today, Auroville is comprised of

4000 inhabitants from over 40 countries.

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BACKGROUND From 1989 to 2004, the Auroville Building Centre/Earth Unit conducted

research to promote alternative building techniques. The Auroville Earth

Institute evolved out of the building centre and has since dedicated its work to

research and development, and training of sustainable and cost effective

earth-based architecture.

The institute particularly focuses on Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB),

a form of earthen ‘brick’ that came into existence in the 1950s and was

somewhat popularised in the 1980s. The block is comprised of cement or lime

plaster, depending on the soil type; for example, cement will mix better with

sandy soils, while lime is more appropriate for clay soil. Once the earthen

inputs are combined, the mixture is put into a manually operated compression

machine. Today, the AURAM Press 3000 is the machine most frequently used;

there are over 300 presses of this type used throughout India, and over 130 in

22 other countries.

Auroville, Tamil Nadu – ‘Realisation’

The use of natural inputs combined with manual labour for block compression

generates an approximate cost breakdown of 60:40 - labour to other building

costs. As a result, this is an appropriate model for high labour supply areas,

which many developing countries, especially India, possess.

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There are a number of advantages to using CSEBs, informally known as ‘e-

blocks’. First, unlike a typical brick, a CSEB does not require burning of wood,

coal or any other materials. The press machine, acts as a stabiliser through

which the block is formed; this is followed by one day of covering the block,

and the following two days of drying it out in the sun. By avoiding a burning

process, CSEB formation is significantly more environmentally friendly,

polluting 12.5 times less emissions than conventional bricks. Conventional

bricks are said to use 50 tons of wood for every 100,000 bricks made. The

second advantage to CSEBs is the cost. Inputs for these blocks are 15 to 20

percent cheaper than for the raw materials used in other bricks. E-blocks are

contextually appropriate in areas with high numbers of unskilled labour

because they are manually produced through simple methods. This then also

provides the local community with new and sustainable livelihoods. CSEBs are

also larger than the conventional brick, therefore can be a quicker way of

construction. Lastly, there is evidence to support the superior thermo-

regulatory ability of e-blocks; they are able to absorb moisture, and although

best in temperate climates, e-blocks also work well in extreme weather i.e.

high amount of snowfall, high percentage of humidity or high level of heat.

To date, the Earth Institute has trained over 6,700 people from 67 countries.

OBJECTIVE Research and Development (R&D) – Conduct cutting-edge research

on earth-based technologies; develop tools for production of earthen

architecture

Training – Impart technical know-how on a wide audience to popularise

earthen building

Promote Livelihoods – Encourage the skills learned through training be

used for sustainable livelihoods

Ensure natural resource conservation- Use environmentally friendly

earthen technologies

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WORKING DESIGN The Earth Institute promotes the use of sustainable architectural technologies

through research and development, and training. A systematic procedure is

followed: first, creation of awareness about technologies and their purpose;

second, educating those interested in the techniques in how to utilise them;

third, using the techniques for the livelihood promotion; and fourth, ensuring

that the livelihoods surrounding these technologies promote natural resource

conservation.

Research and development is an ongoing process that has evolved over time.

The production of knowledge has helped to develop and perfect the CSEB

technology and the mechanical and non-mechanical tools used for block

generation. Dissemination of the technical know-how on earth-based

construction to higher education institutions focuses on three areas:

environment and heritage, human settlements, and economy and production.

Worker pouring water into earth mixture (left); Mixing water into soil mix (upper right);

Pouring mixture into AURAM press 3000 (lower right)

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Worker fills block space in press with mixture (top); Manual compression of block (centre);

Finished CSEB (bottom)

Training through the Earth Institute is provided through two week courses in:

earthen technology (CSEBs), and sustainable design (arches and domes).

Attendees are expected to have basic knowledge of architecture techniques

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prior to joining. The CSEB course dedicates one week to the basics and a

second week to masonry. The arches and domes class teaches one week of

stability calculations and one week of building design. Trainees are asked to

complete surveys at the end of the course and indicate their satisfaction and

learning levels. To enhance this feedback mechanism, the Earth Institute plans

to integrate a one year follow-up email system with all trainees.

Training Course Fees

STUDENTS TECHNICIANS ARCHITECTS

4000 6500 8000

* All fees are in rupees per week. Fees are inclusive of accommodation and food.

Outside of the short-term training programmes, the Earth Institute hopes to

roll-out one-year diploma programmes for which they have already designed

plan details. A vocational training centre would cater to both technicians and

offer a Masters degree for engineers.

Proposed Diplomas:

Post diploma: Earth architecture (For architects /engineers)

Diploma: Bare foot earth architect (For SME entrepreneurs)

Diploma: Master mason earth builder (For unskilled workers)

METHODOLOGY The Governance Knowledge Centre research team identified the Earth

Institute’s promotion of earth-based technology transfer as a best practice in

public service delivery based on a number of factors. First, the institute has

been successful in promoting the technique across the globe. Second, the

Earth Institute has helped to develop an environmentally friendly, contextually

appropriate, and cost effective technology for infrastructure development.

Third, they have found a way to leverage this expertise for the enhancement of

livelihoods and towards the conservation of natural resources.

Secondary research was conducted in New Delhi from online sources, namely

the Earth Institute’s comprehensive website. The research team then travelled

to Auroville, where they conducted a semi-structured interview with the Head

Architect. Primary research helped to fill gaps and ensure depth in

understanding.

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KEY STAKEHOLDERS Auroville Earth Institute UNESCO CRATerre (The International Centre for Earth Construction) HUDCO

LESSONS LEARNED Despite a number of challenges faced in

the promotion of earthen-based

technologies, the Auroville Earth Institute

continues to stand as a best practice in

infrastructure development, livelihood

creation and environmental protection.

Determined pursuit of goals

As is often the case when change is

pursued, resistance to a shift from

conventional architecture has been great.

The Earth Institute has used an effective

approach to changing mindsets – this is

the use of examples, both historical and

current. For one, the oldest building in the world lies in Luxor, Egypt. This

building was made of earthen materials and remains intact today. There are

similar examples of ancient monasteries and other structures which have

experienced extreme weather and natural conditions, including snowfall and

earthquakes, yet have survived over the centuries while the buildings

surrounding them that were not constructed through earthen materials have

fallen.

Today, the Earth Institute shows that not only are earth-based technologies

sustainable due to their durability, but that they should be considered for

mainstreaming due to a number of other advantages. By developing the

AURAM Press 3000 to develop CSEBs and utilising this in an overabundant

labour market, a tropical climate, with poor village communities, the Earth

Institute provides additional evidence for the use of earthen architecture. In

addition to employment of unskilled labour and association of minimal costs

and superior thermo-regulation in infrastructure, the use of CSEBs can

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promote livelihoods and protect the environment in a sustainable manner, as

shown through the Earth Institute’s action-based research.

To further promote the understanding and use of these technologies, the

institute has designed a one-year master’s course for which they continue to

seek approval.

Making a ‘niche’ practice, a ‘popular’ practice

Although this is an area under which the Earth Institute continues to progress,

it has made a commendable amount of headway in popularising earthen

architecture. Most importantly, however, is how they have contributed to the

understanding of the significance of upscaling through outreach on a wider

scale.

Niche markets, including green architects, businesses and citizenry, are the

lifeline through which CSEB technology has thrived. The Earth Institute

recognises that this is too small of an audience for such a powerful practice,

therefore they work to disseminate knowledge through written and oral

practices to a greater number of people.

Integrated and convergent strategies

The Auroville Earth Institute model takes a holistic approach towards

infrastructure development. Architecture – the design and erection of

buildings – constitutes key public services including housing and business

infrastructure. Although focused on architecture, the institute has not only

brought about effective ways of delivering these crucial public services, it has

also linked related development goals of environmental protection and

livelihood generation to its mission.

The research and training centre, through its integrated developmental

approach, encourages ‘sustainable practice’ throughout its efforts; at the core,

is the use of ‘earth’ for development, directly linking the Institute’s goals to the

essence of sustainability.

Research was carried out by the OWFI, Governance Knowledge Centre (GKC) team.

Documentation was created by Knowledge and Research Coordinator, Nicole Anand.

For further information, please contact Mr. Naimur Rahman, Director, OWFI.

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APP EN DI X A

1. Can you explain the origins of the Auroville Earth Institute- Originally, in 1989, it was the Auroville Building

Centre / Earth Unit, but then became the current institute in 2004 – can you explain the transition?

a. What was HUDCO’s role then and now?

b. What is the institute’s relationship with UNESCO?

2. According to our research, the Earth Institute majorly conducts research and development of earth based

technologies. Then dissemination of the materials is done through training courses, seminars, workshops,

manuals and documents. Can you explain each of these r & d efforts in further detail – how often are

courses held? For whom are they held? Is there a fee to attend? If so, how much is it?

a. How are people made aware of the technology transfer courses offered?

b. Our research says that the most promoted technology today is Compressed Stabilised Earth

Blocks (CSEB), can you describe this technology in detail – how are the blocks made and what are

they made from? Why are they desirable for house construction?

c. Can you describe the diploma programmes- how they function, what they teach etc.?

3. A major goal of the institute is to enable people to create and build for themselves their own habitat,

while using raw earth as a building material for sustainable and cost effective development. To ensure

this, is there a monitoring mechanism or some sort of process in place to follow up with those who have

been trained or attended workshops? If so, what is the process?

4. Can you describe the major challenges, if any, that the institute has faced in achieving its goals? How

have these been overcome?

5. Why is the use of earth-based technologies important to development (environmental etc.)? How has the

institute impacted the communities it has serviced (i.e. in terms of skill building, number of earth-based

building constructed, number of workshops attendees etc.)?

6. What is the current penetration level of activities? Are there plans to upscale in the future and if so, what

do these plans consist of?

7. What makes the Earth Institute’s programmes unique and/or effective?