2.3.2 BUILDING MATERIALS The dome is built by Auroville earth Institute in 1999. The cross-section of the dome is a segmental ellipse. Its thickness from springer to the apex varies in four courses. There were few guidelines to be followed for the dome as per Guruji Jaggi Vasudev. The built form is supposed to last for 1000 years hence the materials stone and brick have been selected to avoid concrete and steel, as their lifespan of reinforced concrete is not yet proved to last so long. As per available materials – stone, sand, brick and lime, the structure is derived which stands with compression forces. The foundation and the circular wall is built with random rubble masonry and lime mortar. The circular wall is around 2 meters thick with cut-outs creating small cubicles – aura cells - to sit inside. The dome sits on the stone lintel, and it has triangular openings at the bottom to bring natural light and ventilation. The large dome is built through a technique where the labourers build the dome by adding layers of brick, following the changing diameter at every layer. The material is true to its making technique as it allows to build the desired form with its small unit - brick which can be handled without any machinery help. The labourers add brick layers one by one and the layers meet in the top centre. Small bricks create a rough textured surface which looks monolithic dark hemispheric volume from within.
Understanding ‘the thingness’ in architecture
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