TIRUPATI PROJECT
- The Futurology Centre

Our national imperative is now to combine modern scientific concepts and tools with traditional knowledge, resulting in forms useful to man : a method, a process, a design, a device or a product which will open up a new path to development.

Development Alternative's success in low cost and aesthetic building designs, the use of the compressed earth block as a masonry unit for building, is a step towards revival in the use of locally available mud, and is an attempt to adapt this traditional building material to the prevalent construction practices.  Professor G. Ramprasad, chief coordinator of the Futurology Centre for Appropriate Technology & Rural Development in Tirupati, therefore, invited Development Alternatives to help design and construct a building for the Centre.

The Development Alternatives team of an architect and a civil engineer, and representatives of the Futurology Centre discussed the space requirements and the funds available before arriving at a consensus for the building area and design.  Ultimately it was found feasible to have a total built area of 1600 sq. ft. comprising exhibition space, office, reception area, library, laboratory-cum-workshop, classrooms and toilets.

The design concept included:

- The use of various technologies, materials and built forms so as to demonstrate their unique features;
- The provision of a courtyard as a spillover space for some activities and to accommodate a large number of visitors;
- The provision of vents and openings for free circulation of air and a water body to cool the air to counteract the hot and humid climate of the area.

The building was so oriented that the courtyard served to cool the breeze.  Care was taken to minimise openings in the walls on the East and West to avoid the harsh glare of the sun and to minimise excessive heating of the built up area.  The classrooms and the lab received special attention.  The classrooms were chambered squares to accommodate the chalk boards in a manner that allowed no direct sunlight to fall on them.  The seating facility was optimised by stepping up the floor in three levels.

The library space was broken into smaller units to allow for private study areas.  The tables were designed so as always to receive light from the left - reducing the strain on the readers’ eyes.  The dome above the exhibition space is punctured with four arched windows, fulfilling the need for diffused lighting from above.

Different roofing techniques were used for the purpose of demonstration but always keeping the overall aesthetic harmony of the building in view.  In addition to what was initially decided, a guest house (with a dome in Ferro-cement), a car park (with mud-block walls and Ferro-cement tin beams), and an open air study centre using waste materials (sack bags, left-over mud-blocks) with built-in seating, were also incorporated in the building design.

The building was completed in 160 days, well within the scheduled time.  Almost 500 labourers and local artisans were involved in the construction of the building, and the team from Development Alternatives trained these artisans in the new and innovative technologies being used.

It is evident that such innovative technologies spring in response to local needs and possibilities.  Appropriate technology is ready for use by the common people and aims directly at improving the quality of their lives.  It draws upon the existing resources and skills available in an area, while maintaining man’s harmony with nature.

Building For Vocational Training Centre

In 1991 a request was received from CBP JRDT (Canara Bank Platinum Jubilee Rural Development Trust) to undertake the construction of work centres for Rural Women Self Employment Training Institute (RUWSETI) at Harohalli, Kanakpura block in Karnataka.

The project brief was to design a building that used diverse techniques of construction, utilised maximum plinth area and took into consideration the climatic conditions of the area as well as the needs of the users.  The unique feature of this building is its compatability with the surrounding structures and the use of locally available materials.

The design concept evolved from multi-usage of work space.  Concepts of passive solar air conditioning are effectively used and most of the openings are provided accordingly.  The central courtyard has been designed to trap the breeze and serve as a cooling system.  Brick arched openings for the glazed steel windows have been provided.  The staggered window design is a source of continuous ventilation.  The circulation pattern is user friendly.

Built at a cost of Rs. 2.40 lakhs, the building covers a total plinth area of 1650 sq.ft.  It uses random rubble stone masonry in the foundation, composite brick and stone masonry in the superstructure up to sill level, and stabilised compressed soil block walls up to roof level.  The roof is made of reinforced concrete filler slab with local pottery and mangalore tiles to reduce the dead weight of the roof.  Reduction in the usage of steel and concrete resulted in reducing costs on the roof.  Arched parapets have been provided which have an aesthetic appeal.

An RCC staircase in the central courtyards has also been provided so that the women can use the flat roof top for various activities.  The top of the courtyard has been provided with `purgolas’ to tap the direct sunlight.

This institute is sponsored by the Canara Bank Platinum Jubilee Rural Development Trust with the aim of promoting employment opportunities for rural women.  The centre accommodates approximately 40 trainees in four rooms around an open courtyard.  It offers various need based training courses such as tailoring, knitting, papad making, making of rexine articles, agriculture, dairy, sericulture, etc.  Training is imparted free of cost.  The work centres will serve as production centres for the making of garments, rexine articles and woollen items.  This will enable the women to collectively produce marketable products and instil in them a sense of business.

In Looking Back we reproduce articles from previous newsletter issues that generated considerable interest and reflect the evolution that has taken place since Development Alternatives began promoting alternative technologies.

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