It could be anyone who could be part of this training. From farmers of Anekal wishing to build their own home, to a mason from Uttarakhand or an IT professional trying to understand the effectiveness of using mud.
Starting on Thursday, Gramavidya will conduct a three-day training programme on ‘Alternative and energy-efficient building technologies’ at the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Koushalya Shaale, Kengeri.
“A cross-section of those interested gather from across the country for the sessions — consisting of lectures, audiovisual presentations, hands-on training and interactive open-house discussions,” says M.R. Yogananda, who has a doctorate in Civil Engineering from IISc., who spearheads the training. Gramavidya, a non-profit society, promoted by a group of professionals and academicians, disseminates building technologies for sustainable livelihoods. The experts are pioneers in construction methods, who have popularised cost-effective technology throughout the country in renowned constructions like the Auroville.
“We need to disseminate as much information as possible. After all, even professionals who pass out of engineering colleges seem to be uninformed about constructions that are quake-resistant. Energy-intensive beam and column structures are not everything. Interactive sessions can re-invent forgotten vernacular approaches,” says Mr. Yogananda, who is also the consulting engineer of Mrinmayee, offering research and lab-testing facilities for stabilised mud-blocks.
In the mid-1980’s Mr. Yogananda’s house in Jayanagar, built with stabilised mud blocks, became a curious model for people to “wait and test it out in all seasons” as the fear of going in for mud construction was mocked at. No sooner, the house was projected as India’s example of mud revival at the Festival of France in HUDCO’s national seminar. “My house is nearly 30-years-old now, and can go on for generations with its earthy sheen,” says Mr. Yogananda.
For details, 26582970 / 94489 26442 / gramavidya@gmail.com
