The Auroville Earth Institute in Auroville, India, is organizing training courses open to all engineers, architects, technicians, masons and students wishing to learn how to produce and build with Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) and other earth techniques. Specialized training courses in the analysis and construction of arches, vaults and domes (AVD) are also regularly offered.

 

In 2012 we are starting a new training course focused on designing with CSEB that will cover a general overview of earthen architecture with guidelines, detailing, structural principles and cost estimation of CSEB buildings.

 

We will also organize two special hands-on workshops on ferrocement. It can be used to form thin, compound curved sheets to make shell roofs, shutters, gutters, water tanks etc.

 

 

6^th to 11^th CSEB Production

13^th to 18^th CSEB Masonry

20^th to 25^th Ferrocement

2^nd to 7^th CSEB Production

9^th to 14^th CSEB Masonry

4^th to 9^th Ferrocement

11^th to 16^th AVD Theory

18^th to 23^rd AVD Masonry

2^nd to 7^th Designing with CSEB

9^th to 14^th One week intensive course on production and use of CSEB

16^th to 21^st One week intensive course on AVD

23^rd to 28^th One week intensive course on production and use of CSEB

3^rd to 8^th CSEB Production

10^th to 15^th CSEB Masonry

17^th to 22^nd AVD Theory

24^th to 29^th AVD Masonry

10^th to 15^th AVD Theory

17^th to 22^nd AVD Masonry

 

- Video and slide show on earth architecture in the world
- Building with earth in Auroville and particular earth techniques (Slide show)
- Sustainability and environmental friendliness and management of resources (Slide show)
- Basic data on CSEB – Raw material 
- Soil identification (field tests) and improvement principles
- Soil stabilization principles and calculation
- Block yard organisation – Quality control principles 
- Cost analysis & economic feasibility study
- Production of compressed stabilised earth blocks (plain, interlocking and special)

* Eligibility: architects or engineers, technicians or supervisors, masons or students

Minimum 15 people – Maximum 30 people

 

- Particular earth techniques (Slide show)
- Soil identification – Tests for mortar – Mortar quality
- Bonds and design guidelines for CSEB
- Building a basement, a plinth beam with U blocks and casting the plinth beam
- Building interlocking walls
- Building composite columns, lintels and beams with U blocks
- Introduction to stabilised rammed earth foundations
- Introduction to stabilised rammed earth walls
- Introduction for building arches, vaults and domes (Slide show and practical exercises)

* Eligibility: architects or engineers, technicians or supervisors, masons or students

Minimum 15 people – Maximum 30 people

 

- Introduction, terminology, typology, diversity of AVD (Slide show)
- Various details about AVD and basic structural principles,
- Stability study with the catenary method
- Stability study with the funicular method
- Stability study with the optimisation method
- Stability study of basic shapes
- 8 case studies with slide shows
- Designing AVD with the optimisation method

*Eligibility: architects or engineers, technicians, students

Minimum 15 people – Maximum 30 people

 

- Principles for building AVD (Slide show) – Mortar quality
- Building various typical arches of various span with centring
(Bucket, Catenary, Corbelled, Pointed, Segmental, Semicircular)
- Building various typical vaults without centring
(catenary, segmental, semicircular)
- Building various typical domes of 1.5 m span without centring
(conical, cloister dome, on squinches, hemispherical, pointed, segmental)
- Visit of building site with AVD construction

*Eligibility: architects or engineers, technicians or supervisors, masons or students

Minimum 15 people – Maximum 30 people

 

For more information please visit our website www.earth-auroville.com and email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Auroville Bamboo Research Centre was established in February 2007, with the aim to merge Indian traditional craft with contemporary design. It is focused on production and marketing of Bamboo craft for income generation and building stronger communities for sustainable living. Its objective is to transfer technology, knowledge and skills through Training and workshop for the environmental conservation.  Training programs are conducted, upon request to students of Schools of Architecture or engineqering, Government and NGO’s, etc. There is a regular demand for the bamboo based training programs, especially from Schools of Architecture. Special courses can be scheduled upon request.

A comprehensive set of modules has been designed for each of these aspects of bamboo training. The structure of the trainees’ program will be in full day units, covering theory and practice. The program will consist of learning inputs: theory, instruction, demonstration, and practical work. For further information about bamboo workshops and courses please contact the Centre in advance either via email or telephone.

A 9-day intensive workshop at Solitued Farm Auroville

(2010-2011)

Solitude is a 6-acre sustainable farming community specializing in natural farming and permaculture methods. We grow a variety of indigenous millets, rice, pulses oil seeds as well as a wide diversity of fruits and vegetables. We build most of our own buildings using natural materials and use solar energy, compost toilets and wind power. We host volunteers from around the world and there is also an organic restaurant.

We have been deeply inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka and his vision of a true road back to nature, growing the food we need in a simple and harmonious way. This lifestyle demands energy and enthusiasm but we also aim at an integrated lifestyle, finding space, equally  for arts, music and inner exploration.

Permaculture is about understanding relationships: These workshops aim at a dynamic, integrated hands- on experience, covering diverse activities that are part of our daily life here at Solitude farm.