Marketing-cum-Exhibition Centre for Artisans in Jogaradoddi, Karnataka

The Artisan Training and Production Centre (ARTRAP) is a recently completed facility sponsored by CBPJRDT with the aim of promoting training and employment opportunities for rural artisans. The marketing-cum-training centre located at Joggaradodi, near Bidadi in Ramnagar taluka, is a further effort by the Trust to provide opportunities to artisans to sell their products.

The design was evolved after considering the following factors:

availability of local construction material
climatological aspects
location and use of existing training centre
functional utility of the building
semi-enclosed space for the artisans to work
future expansion spaces

The building has a semi-enclosed entrance lobby leading into a 22-ft square hall. Hall floor space has been extended by the construction of cubicles on all four sides. Adjoining the main hall is a dressing room and store room. The store room has Cuddappa platforms all round as storage spaces. The entire building is surrounded by a covered corridor which creates interesting work spaces and keeps the interior cool. Natural light has been used efficiently to create a well-lit environment. The square hall is crowned by a filler slab pyramidal roof with a skylight at the top. A smaller pyramidal roof with skylight provides continuity of roof forms. Locally designed and produced stabilised blocks have been used as filler material in the slab. Verandahs have been provided with big arch openings.

Technologies adopted: Foundation

Conventional cement concrete of a leaner mix in proportions 1:4:8 (cement to sand to aggregates) and random rubble masonry in mud mortar has been provided below ground level. Sized stone masonry in lean cement mortar 1:8 (cement to sand) and a damp proof course (DPC) of 5 cm thickness define the plinth level.

Superstructure

Composite masonry of sized stone and stabilised soil blocks in composite mortar has been used. Specially-made stabilised blocks of 5 cm thickness, a variation from standard 7.6 cm blocks, were produced by making minor modifications on the Balram mud block press. Wall thickness is 23 cm, except for the verandah where the wall is 30 cm thick. Stabilised blocks of different size to suit varying requirements, including filler blocks for the roof, were all produced on site with the Balram. During the construction process, village youths were trained in making the blocks.

Roof

Adoption of the filler slab pyramidal roof and flat roof, with stabilised soil blocks as filler material, was for the purpose of reducing the dead weight of the roof. Less steel and concrete was required, and costs were reduced by 25 to 30 percent.

Stone slab parapets over burnt brick corbelled pillars have been plastered with a thin layer of cement mortar and water-proofing compound. The filler slab roof is also adequately water-proofed. Rectangular cutouts in the verandah roof and stone pergoals filter in sunlight.

Doors, windows and skylights

To combat the problem of termites, Mild Steel angle iron for frames, and sheet metal doors have been provided. Stone slabs are also used as lintels in place of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) lintels.

Flooring

Conventional cement concrete (1:2:4, cement to sand to aggregates), 40 mm thick, with red oxide finish about 10 cm thick over a subgrade, has been provided for the main hall and store room. The verandah floor is stone slabs, cement pointed over a sand bedding.

Finishes

Conventional finishes have been adopted both for plastering and painting washes, keeping in mind the requirements of the users.

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Announcement for Training Programme on Low-Cost Construction

State Level Workshop for Western Uttar Pradesh on

"Cost Reduction Techniques and Low-Cost Materials for Rural Housing"

Hosted by Development Alternatives
Sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Coordinated by Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development, Thrissur, Kerala

Period and Venue: 14-15 December `92
Gajraula, Western Uttar Pradesh


Objectives:

To identify traditional methods and techniques for house construction in Western Uttar Pradesh
To identify different popular building techniques in the region.
To expose experiences of different agencies and organisations in the area of habitat development.
To expose new materials and techniques.
To prepare documentation for dissemination of information regarding the techniques and technologies appropriate to the region. The documentation will be both in English and Hindi.

Registration: Rs. 150/-

For further information: Shelter Group Development Alternatives B-32 Tara Crescent, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 016 Tel: 66-5370, 696-7938, Fax: 91+11+686-6031, Tlx: 031-73216 DALT IN

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