ALTERNATIVE BUILDING

TECHNIQUES

5 ARCHITECTS AND THEIR PROJECTS

 INTRODUCTION

• "Alternative building technique" refers to

construction methods that differ from
mainstream modern construction. They
often use natural building materials, with a
strong emphasis on sustainable design.
NEED OF ALTERNATIVE BUILDING
TECHNIQUES :
• ECONOMIC EXPENDITURE
 TRANSPORTATION
 DISTRIBUTION
 PRODUCTION
• POLLUTION
• 22% OF GREEN HOUSE GAS IS PRODUCED FROM CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
• INCREASING DEMANDS
• NOT ENERGY EFFICIENT
FEATURES OF A SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
• ENERGY CONSERVATION
• ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY
• MINIMAL TRANSPORTATION
EXPENDITURE
• MAXIMUM USE OF LOCAL
MATERIALS
• UTILIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE
FOR CONSTRUCTION
The wall house,Anupama kundoo

Location: Auroville
Architect: Anupama Kundoo
Challenge: Appropriate, sustainable, eco-friendly: A
house in tune with the earth.
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS
• Anupama has scaled down the exposed brick facades by using local
achakal bricks of the same 18 cm x 10 cm x 2.5 cm dimensions used
in ancient times, instead of the standard English size. Reviving the
use of these bricks, she has set them with raked joints in lime
mortar, to which 10% cement has been added for initial setting
strength.
• The thickness of the walls varies between 30, 20 and 10 cm, with
specially designed bonds, as they do not follow the usual 1:2
proportions. T
• he foundations are of cement-stabilized rammed earth – the earth
having been procured from the same foundation pits.
• It comes as no surprise that Anupama has also experimented with
different roofing systems. Catenary vaults of hollow clay tubes have
been used for climatic insulation, which also eliminates the need for
structural steel that one sees in roofs today.
• There are vaults in the ground floor where achakal
bricks are used as structural supports.
• The flat terraced roof over the guest room has
been built by using hollow burnt clay trapezoidal
extruded modules over partly precast beams, as in
the jack arch – these modules were specially
manufactured locally for the purpose of finding
insulated roofing solutions to flat roofs.
• For the intermediate floor, Anupama used
terracotta pots as fillers to increase the effective
depth of concrete, while minimizing the volume of
concrete and steel in the slabs that did require to
be insulated. ‘One of our aims was to demonstrate
that structural materials can also be used as
finishing materials.’
CLIMATIC RESPONSE
• The plan of the house, with its narrow spaces,
responds to the hot and humid climate of the region,
as it allows maximum cross-ventilation.
• Aligned along a south-east north-west axis, the house
has small openings in front and large openings at the
rear to create effective air channels, which optimize
ventilation.
• The double height volume enhances the air stack
movement, and increases the upward drafts of the
ventilation.
• The hot air rising inside the covered spaces is forced
out through openings in the vault, and as the roofs are
also designed to be insulating, heat radiation is
minimized.
FLOW OF SPACE
• The interior blends with and enhances the architecture and
the landscape. In fact, the whole house is planned in such a
way that there is no segregation between the interior, the
exterior, the built form and the landscape. Says Anupama,
‘The interiors are not perceived as furnished areas, with
“untrue” decorative objects, but as spaces with a distinct
quality.’
• In the entrance to the dining area stands a table recycled
out of a single old rosewood column. The natural texture
and surface of the wood is left as it is, and the table can be
reassembled back again to the form of the original log.
• Another study table is built out of a recycled teak beam;
inserted into the wall, it quietly blends into the architecture.
Natural stones have been imaginatively used as a substitute
for sills, lintels, water spouts, seats and small steps. The
washbasin counters are in rough granite.
• ‘At every end, theinterior dissolves into landscape.’

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
• The already reduced energy demands of the house are
almost entirely met by solar photovoltaics for electricity, a
solar water heater and a solar pump for pumpingwater.
The magical, open-tosky bathroom upstairs. An unusual bathroom, with another
Below: The living areas are open to the outdoors. Inserted into experimental roof form, and rough
the wall is a beam of recycled teak that serves as a study table. granite for a washbasin counter and
‘back to nature’ shower.
The beach house,Sirish beri

Built up area: 120sqm

Client & Architect: ShirishBeri
Completion date: June, 1994
About the architect

• ShirishBeri graduated in architecture from CEPT, Ahmedabad in 1974. Refusing partnership with his
father and brother in their architectural firm, he used his travel money to build a small cottage on
the edge of the western ghats to work in and live a simple, solitary life amidst nature. He loves
nature, solitude, meditation, philosophy, yoga, photography, all arts, writing, poetry, painting, films,
gardening, farming, deep ecology. He has travelled widely, visiting 40 countries.
• Designer's statement
• ShirishBeri's very own Beach House at Devgad, Maharashtra.
• The idea of having a beach house germinated in my fascination with the
sea and in my faith in Nature's healing, refreshing and rejuvenating
potential.
• Along with physical stimulation that the sea offers in the form of
swimming, jogging on the beach, playing in the sand, etc., the beach
house offered a peaceful natural environment with the soothing sound
and sight of the waves breaking on the shore. The view of the sea from
most spaces was also an important consideration. Even the kitchen also
has the view of the sea on the west and of the property gate on the
North.
• I felt the need to get away from the busy routine of our architectural
office to a place like this for the concentrated, undisturbed creative
design process to happen. Thus my own basic architectural work happens
here.
• The design of this beach house stems from a basic simplicity of life style
and from its symbiotic relationship with Nature. It does not appear to be
force dumped there, but appears to grow on the site - to belong to the
site. The main entrance to the house meanders through the portal or
gateway created by the two existing casuarinas trees. The Undal tree with
a seating platform &Tulasi forms the vista through the car porch.
• The house is basically one single unified space under one roof. Different
functions are differentiated by low partition walls, curtains, different
levels, etc., but the essential flow of space continues uninterrupted
merging with the surrounding nature.
• Laterite walls, flooring made of cow dung, roofs made
of local Mangalore climate-suited tiles, a space inside
the home that flows continuously with the space
• outside, the trees, the coconut grove and the sea
outside – SirishBeri’s home in Devgad is a place for
the architect to recharge his batteries by the sea.
• Great minds, especially creative ones, need time to
get away from the daily grind to relax, rejuvenate and
refresh! That’s exactly what award winning Indian
architect ShirishBeri had in mind, when he set off to
create a beach house in Devgad, Maharashtra.
Incidentally, Mr. Beri was awarded J. K. “The Architect
of the year” Commendation award 1995 for the
design of this house.
• The living room space flows into a covered verandah
sit out on the west, which further extends down into
two levels of the lawns - then into the coconut grove.
At the end of the property, right next to the beach is a
built in shady sit out for eating, reading etc.
• Taking advantage of the undulating site conditions, the following was
achieved:
• A raised plinth for a better view for the main living and kitchen area.
• A segregation at slightly lower level for service areas like porch, utility
& servants room.
• A mezzanine floor studio-bed at 1.1m above the main level with
better view as well as privacy.
• A changing area with bathroom & W.C. below the mezzanine floor
with a direct access from the beach after a swim (this prevents the
wetness and sand from spreading all over the house.
• The house is constructed from the local laterite stone with a hipped
timber roof structure and Mangalore tiles. The flooring is cow dung
and mud. The studio has a timber floor.
• The house is designed for the coastal climate allowing for maximum
air circulation inside, but at the same time being able to contain the
fierce wet stormy monsoon winds from the west and southwest.
• Living in this house does rejuvenate one's tired nerves. The energy
field created here acts as a much needed antidote to today's rushed,
competitive & materialistic life style.
• Mr. ShirishBeri was awarded J. K. “The Architect of the year “
Commendation award 1995 for the design of this house.
• SirishBeri’s home in Devgad is a place for the architect to
recharge his batteries by the sea.
• Great minds, especially creative ones, need time to get
away from the daily grind to relax, rejuvenate and refresh!
That’s exactly what award winning Indian architect
ShirishBeri had in mind, when he set off to create a beach
house in Devgad, Maharashtra.
• The beach house retreat has been built with the utmost
respect to nature.Care has been taken to “blend” the home
into its magnificent backdrop. The home is overly simplistic,
and so is the decor. The one-room habitat has been
designed brilliantly with strategically placed windows to
catch every bit of nature one can, even while indoors. What
impressed me was the ubiquitous eating/ dining/ sleeping
center space – when you see the pictures, you will know
what I am talking about.
• Below is a personal description by Mr. Beri himself, of a
project that’s very close to his heart, and no doubt is the
source for the brilliant work he executes.
• The view of the sea from most spaces was also an
important consideration. Even the kitchen has the view of
the sea on the west and of the property gate on the North.
• Taking advantage of the undulating site conditions, the following was
achieved:
– raised plinth for a better view for the main living and kitchen area.
– segregation at slightly lower level for service areas like porch, utility
& servants room.
– mezzanine floor studio-bed at 1.1 M above the main level with
better view as well as privacy.
– a changing area with bathroom & W.C. below the mezzanine floor
with a direct access from the beach after a swim (this prevents the
wetness and sand from spreading all over the house.
• The main entrance to the house meanders through the portal or
gateway created by the two existing casuarina trees. The Undal tree
with a seating platform and Tulasi forms the vista through the car
porch.
• The living room space flows into a covered verandah sit out on the
west, which further extends down into two levels of the lawns – then
into the coconut grove.
At the end of the property, right next to the beach is a built in shady sit
out for eating, reading etc.
The house is designed for the coastal climate
allowing for maximum air circulation inside, but
at the same time being able to contain the fierce
wet stormy monsoon winds from the west and
southwest.
The house is constructed from the local
laterite stone with a hipped timber roof
structure and Mangalore tiles.
Punjab Energy Office Building,
Arvind krishnan

Project: Punjab Energy Development Agency,

Office Building, Chandigarh, India

The challenge: To achieve ecologically responsive

architecture for a project within the
context of Chandigarh and composite climate
• A holistic office design has been developed wherein the floor plates
float in a large volume of air, wherein the building envelope interacts
with the ambience rather than the conventional stacking of floor
plates one on top of the other.
• Building configuration has been generated in response to solar
geometry, a unique built form thus generated in response to summer
and winter requirements. Building form follows solar geometry, it
does not follow any pre-conceived notion of design.
• Innovative design:
• •Three dimensional configuration of the
building evolved in response to solar
geometry.
• •Elements of building i.e. building envelope,
plan form etc. evolved in response to solar
geometry.
• •Renewable energy systems i.e PV integrated
in the roof as an element of design.
• While the three dimensional form of the
building has generated in response to solar
geometry, the scale and form of the building
responds to its urban context as well. The
façade of the building near the two main
roads bears the character and scale of an
office building, the building responds to its
residential context in the southern side by
gradually scaling down the building in mass
and volume.
The office complex is located in
Chandigarh on a practically square site
that lies on a flat land with no major
topography variations.
Chandigarh experiences wide climatic
swings over the year, i.e, 44 degress
during summers and as low as 5 degrees
during winters. The demand on the
building design, therefore is to respond
to the extremes- eliminate heat gain in
hot dry period, maximise ventilation in
hot humid period and maximise heat gain
in cold period.
To achieve a climatic responsive building, an
innovative concept in architectural design has
been developedThe PEDA building is a series
of overlapping floors at different levels in
space floating in a large volume of air with
interpenetrating large vertical cut-outs. These
vertical cut-outs are integrated with light wells
and solar activated naturally ventilated
domical structures. This is then enclosed
within the envelope of the building.
• The envelope attenuates the outside ambient conditions and
the large volume of air is naturally conditioned by controlling
solar access in response to the climatic swings.
• The large volume of air is cooled during the hot period by a
wind tower, integrated into the building design and during cold
period, this volume of air is heated by solar penetration
through the roof glazing, generating a convective loop.
• Adequate distribution of daylight within the entire working
zone of the building is achieved through the domical structures
 BIPV and hyperbolic
paraboloid roof

Solar energy activated chimney Wind tower

creates ventilation cycles in the
building

Atrium roof : Hyperbolic

Paraboloid shell roof
The hamlett,Lauri baker

Project: residential unit

Location : Trivandrum
• IT IS BUILT ON A PLOT OF LAND ALONG THE SLOPE OF A ROCKY
HILL WITH LIMITED ACCESS OF WATER
• MATERIAL USED FROM UNCONVENTIONAL SOURCES
• STEPS DIRECTLY CUT IN ROCK
• ENTRANCE HAS SMALL SITTING AREA FOR GUESTS
• THE WALL IS DECORATED FROM BROKEN POTTERY, PENS, GLASS
• A CALLING BELL FOR VISITORS TO ANNOUNCE THEIR PRESENCE
• USE OF NATURAL LIGHT
• NEVER CUT TREES INSTEAD ADAPTED HIS DESIGN ACCORDINGLY
• INNER COURTYARD …CLOSE TO NATURE
• ARCHES LED INTO A BEAUTIFUL OPEN ROOM
Modernised plan
• COURTYARD HAS MANY GARDENS AND PONDS
• PITCHED ROOF FROM MANGLORE TILES
• BAKER’S FONDNESS OF ARCHES
• GABLES FOR PROPER AIR CIRCULATION AND
VENTILATION
• SIMPLE YET BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS
• GRILL MADE OF BITS AND PIECES
• CONICAL STRUCTURE USED.
• COST EFFECTIVE BAKER’S WINDOW
• LOUVERED WINDOW
• STAINED GLASS EFFECT
• WATER TANK FOR STORING RAIN HARVESTED WATER
Mud house,Rewati kamat

Location: Anangpur Village, Faridabad.

Plot Area: 1.25 Acres
Built up Area: 5000 sqft
Architects: Kamath Design Studio.
Design Team: Revathi Kamath, Vasant Kamat
Year of Completion: 1996
Owner: Self
Cost of Construction: Rs. 350/- per sq. ft
• The Mud House at Anangpur Village, Surajkund, Haryana, is located on
land that was once a quarry, mining quartzite and Badarpur stone
dust. The design process has actively been guided towards the
evolution of an ecological architectural vocabulary informed by
indigenous building practices.
• The creating of space, form and visual characteristics is based on the
rearrangement of natural materials found on the site and its
surroundings, with a minimum, judicious use of non-renewable, non-
bio-degradable and fossil resources such as metals, stone, stone slabs,
plastics, cement, lime etc.
• The foundations are in random stone masonry with stone from the
site, set in lime mortar, between stretches of existing rock formations
on the site, where no foundations were required.
• The stone masonry ends at the plinth level with a damp proof course
consisting of two layers of rough sandstone laid in cement mortar,
with staggered joints.
• the local site grass was propagated .
• two storey superstructure has load bearing
walls made of sun dried , hand moulded ,
mud bricks . The earth for the bricks was sourced
from different parts of the site to ensure the right mix of
clay, silt and coarse sand, all of which were present on
the land.
• intermediate floor is made of sandstone
slabs supported on the mud walls and on
intermediate steel girders , as the spans
were larger than the length of the stone
slabs easily sourced (2 to 3 metres).
• ‘ green ’ roof with live grass and
vegetation tops the two storey structure .
The roofing system consists of bamboo crete
on eucalyptus ‘ balli ’ trusses , waterproofed
with rubber sheets and finished with about
a 10 cm . layer of earth on which
Ground floor
plan
G+1 plan
SUBMITTED BY:-
K.BINDU(433)
MAMTA JYOTI(438)
AKSHAY .S . REGE(449)
STUTI SINGH(452)
ADWAIT DHOTE(471)
HARSHIT KUMAR(474)
M.J.PREM(476)
KARTHIKA ASHOK(480)
MRINAL KUMAR DAS(484)
SUDESHNA DAS(494)