Internship Report: Studio Naqshbandi | Auroville

internship report | February – May 2014 | studio naqshbandi | auroville | darpan arora

Auroville concept

Matrimandir | Auroville

Situated in Tamil-Nadu, South India; Auroville is based on the vision of The Mother, who described it as aspiring to be “a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities�. Auroville is an emerging international township of over 1500 people from more than 30 nations.

The activities pursued by inhabitants include village development, education, business, land restoration and afforestation, research into renewable energy applications and experimental construction techniques.

Lifestyle_Upasana | Auroville

- The Auroville Experience

Visitor’s Centre | Auroville

Auroville Master Plan | 1968

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studio Naqshbandi

Mona Doctor-Pingel

Yantra, Auroville | Architect’s studio | 80 Sq.m

Built in the midst of nature, the studio depicts a perfect example of being Inside and outside. Aligned North-South, the vaulted space is like a tunnel through a garden bringing in ample of natural light and ventilation. The feel of ‘cudappa’ stone floor; a semi-open outdoor space next to a pond- to work as well as relax; a bay window stretching out of the wall; creates a serene working environment.

Emphasis is on simplicity & subtlety; thus every architectural decision keeps with the overall conceived rhythm & not detract from its primary purpose. Therefore the studio communicates notions that are ingrained in its fabric with clarity and precision

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contents 1. Auroville concept

- the Mother

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2. Studio Naqshbandi

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3. Aikido Dojo

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4. White Peacock

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5. CBERD research program

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6. Archaeology

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7. Concreting: THC- Auroville

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Aikido Dojo

Japanese martial art centre

Project title: AIKIDO DOJO Location: Dehashakti sports, Auroville Project area: 346 Sq.m Project cost: 82.25 lacs

South-west Exterior view

Auroville Aikikai is a school where the Japanese martial art “Aikido� is taught.

Aikido is popular in Auroville as it is the only martial art that has been practiced in Auroville since the early 1970s.

Aikido is taught since about 10 years at Pitanga Hall. The space is too small (70 Sq.m) to entertain more than a small number of students. This has several disadvantages like crowding on the mats resulting in increased level of possible accidents. We plan now to increase to 72 Tatamis (140 Sq.m ).

View of the Passage

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Aikido Dojo

Japanese martial art centre

Interior view of the Dojo (Hall)

Load bearing wall

My scope of work To carry forward the conceptual design and make a set of working drawings for the project to commence.

Regular site visits, client meetings and evaluation of the same with the contractor as well as project holder.

Landscaping around the site – learning the art of plantation with skilled workers.

Structural 3D

Skylight detailing

Aikido Dojo Model_ Photo shoot

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Aikido Dojo

Japanese martial art centre

The initial requirement of the client was that of a Dojo hall (for 72 Tatami mats) with a space for the ‘Shinden’, Storage space, Toilets and Changing rooms for boys & girls and a Reception space. Requirement for a guest room with pantry & workspace was added later to the design.

The design began with the size of a Tatami mat to be used. A central passage divides the main hall from the adjoining facilities.

Essence of bringing the structure down to earth via slanting wall, floating effect of the slab for Dojo hall, exposed brick & RCC work, clear North-South opening, 4m high skylight; awakens the integrity and harmony of the space within.

Bougainvillea plantation on site

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White Peacock Ceramic Art-studio

Project title: WHITE PEACOCK Location: Kindergarten, Auroville Project area: 346 Sq.m Project cost: 82.25 lacs

North-west Exterior view

“White Peacock� is a pottery and ceramic art studio which is also a public workshop for children and adults; a symbol of eternity, beauty and transcendence.

The children can work wonders by themselves, when a soft, grey piece of clay transforms into a bright, attractive toy, jug, panel or decoration.

South entrance view_ Wash area

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White Peacock Ceramic Art-studio

The client needed a new space for the pottery and ceramic studio due to lack of space to accommodate more students and other several shortcomings in their existing facility.

East faรงade of the building

Classroom space with table and shelves

The initial requirement was that of a classroom space of 35 Sq.m and a semi-open sit-out of 15 Sq.m. Important considerations were spaces for ovens and shelves for storage of the clay works. Several discussions and explorations were made to find an ideal solution for the new building.

My scope of work To evaluate and update a set of working drawings and co-ordinate the same on the site and with the contractor & structural engineer.

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CBERD research

Indo-US Joint Centre for Building Energy Research and Development

The main focus of U.S.-India Joint Centre for Building Energy Research and Development (CBERD) is to accomplish collaborative research and promote clean energy innovation in energy efficiency with measurable results and contributing to significant reduction in energy use in both nations.

CBERD, the LBNL-CEPT Consortia’s name for the DOE/GOI JCERDC for Building Energy Efficiency, will focus on the integration of information technology with building controls and physical systems for commercial/high-rise residential units.

The broad spectrum of R&D tasks intending technological acceleration includes :Simulation | Monitoring| Controls | Thermal comfort Envelope/ Passive Design (insulation) | Grid responsiveness Advanced technologies (HVAC, lighting) | Renewable integration

Automatic Weather Station | Auroville

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CBERD research

Indo-US Joint Centre for Building Energy Research and Development

Rooftop logger placement

Top floor section of LUMINOSITY APPT., Auroville | Logger placement points

Logger placement- passages/ roof exhaust

Floor plans of GOLCONDE, Pondicherry | Marked rooms show analysis areas

Scope of work 6 buildings in Auroville and Pondicherry are currently data logged and studied (2 complete, 4 partial) for air temperature, globe temperature, surface temperatures (walls and roofs), humidity, light intensity, air velocity. Every 3 weeks, we visit the buildings to take readings (loggers and handheld). Any activities, user profile, logger status’ are noted.

After data of couple of months, we created analysis graphs (Inside vs. Outside temp./ Dome vs. Vault/ Mean hourly graphs of humidity, LUX levels- for different months, etc.) for warm-humid climate zone.

Placement of Loggers and Censors Logger placement inside domes

Section of MUKUDUVIDU, Auroville (Residence)

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CBERD research

Indo-US Joint Centre for Building Energy Research and Development

Data segregation sheet and Surface temperature ANALYSIS GRAPH for Luminosity Appt., Auroville | Sample

ANALYSIS GRAPHS Different types of graphs for the buildings under study (all naturally ventilated) at Auroville and Pondicherry are made to understand comfortability factor of users and infer results to design better buildings (promote natural ventilation) in warmhumid climate.

(More info. in research paper)

HOURLY AVG. GRAPHS of 6 months for Dome 1 of Mukuduvidu (residence), Auroville | Inside vs. Outside | Sample

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Archaeology

Rescue Excavation | Megalithic burial

Work title: RESCUE EXCAVATION 24 Location: Matrimandir junction, Auroville

Over the years several informal archaeological excavations have taken place in part of the International and Industrial Zone of Auroville. For over three decades, archaeological excavation work has shown the presence of stone-age, megalithic and a Chola settlement in the area. It is important to identify its own process in relation to local heritage preservation and development. Auroville is situated on an ancient burial & settlement dating back to 500 B.C. – 500 A.D. – the megalithic period in South India. The finds from this area are an important cultural heritage of India and need to be preserved.

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Archaeology

Rescue Excavation | Megalithic burial

The excavation on site was carried out in relation to each ‘Cairn Circle’ and dug in the centre for traces of pots, weapons, etc.

The site was marked and dug in a 3m x 3m grid, and each stone/ pot found was documented on graph sheets (Plans, Elevations and Levels).

Matrimandir

Location plan of the site

Matrimandir Triangle: Site of my work

My scope of work To document (to the scale) the excavated grids as well as the site at Matrimandir Triangle, Rescue Excavation 24. Use of different archaeological tools was done making it a different learning experience.

Documentation of grid-390 on site

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Concreting work

Tamil Heritage Centre, Auroville

Work title: Concreting of a floor slab Location: Tamil Heritage Centre, Auroville

‘Tamil Heritage Centre’, designed by Poppo Pingel, is under construction at Auroville.

Ground floor of the design was to be concreted, and I learnt the technique of the same (Oiling the shuttering, Quantifying the materials for concrete, Laying the concrete step by step) by doing the concrete filling with the workers themselves.

By experience I must say, it is not an easy task walking on reinforcement carrying concrete. This was perhaps a good learning.

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