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Good earth
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Sick of concrete jungles, some urbanites are willing to try out mud houses, which are cool and eco-friendly. Another advantage is that mud houses do not cost the earth.
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PRODUCT DESIGNER Ajayan and his wife Anita Thampi were sure of one thing when they decided to build a house.
"We don't want a concrete structure," they told the architect. "We want a house made of mud."
With more people like Ajayan feeling alienated in concrete jungles, urban housing is witnessing a quiet revolution: there is an increasing demand for eco-friendly architecture. Believe it or not, some want concrete to be replaced by material such as mud.
Seven years ago, Kollam-based architect Eugine Pandala's construction of a 2,500 sq. ft mud house caught the public imagination. Pandala has been commended for his "eco-friendly organic architecture and the use of natural materials".
Spurred by the desire to experiment and improvise on the traditional methods of construction, Pandala built V. N. Jitendran's house out of mud dug out from the plot. "I just wanted a low-cost house; it was Pandala who came up with the idea of a mud house. I knew mud houses were as good as any concrete ones," says Jitendran.
There was no blueprint for the design; it evolved organically. Many checked the plan. Some opined that the house would collapse in no time especially since the monsoons were long and strong in this part of the country. "But time has proved them wrong."
It hasn't collapsed or cracked. Save a few areas -- such as the modern bathrooms and kitchen, where glazed tiles have been used -- the rest of the house has mud accessories (bed, table). Even the walkway has been fashioned out of mud.
Architects point out that people are still apprehensive about the durability of mud structures -- mainly because of the lack of awareness about the technology involved.
Are mud structures a passing fad? The answer is "no".
Says film producer G. Suresh Kumar, whose 13,000 sq. ft studio `Revathi Kalamandir' is currently being built by Pandala, in mud, at the Kinfra Film and Video Park, near Kazhakootam,
"The construction is in accordance with the principles of Vaastusastra. I wanted a soundproof room to house my acoustic console, and thus, double walls have been built. Only a part of the building will be double-stroreyed. The cost is 50 per cent less than that of a concrete structure," says Suresh.
"The technique is traditional," explains Pandala. "A smooth paste of mud is made, and about five per cent of cement is added to it. This mixture is then splashed over the foundation, layer upon layer. However, the thickness of the layers should not exceed nine inches. I have used my own method called the `rib-and-skin' roofing. Instead of timber rafts, I use cement ones," he adds.
A layer of thick iron net is interspersed with chicken mesh (iron-net). A mixture of mud and cement is spread over the nets. The mud, thus used, should have at least 20 to 30 per cent less of clay content. For, too much of clay leads to excessive shrinkage (to about one-sixth) upon drying. "Terracotta tiles may also be used to give an ethnic touch. The roofing may also be done using ferro-cement, " explains Pandala.
If you thought only single-storeyed structures could be built in mud, you couldn't be more wrong. Walk into architect G. Shankar's four-storeyed office at Poojapura, Habitat Technology Group, and you feel the coolness of terracotta tiles beneath your feet. On the choice of mud for construction, Shankar says, "This is my answer to India's housing problem. It is my response to the onslaught of globalisation. Mud is a re-usable, no-energy material and is available locally."
But can such structures withstand rain and earthquake? "Why not?" asks Shankar. "It's the technology used and the method of construction that equip a structure to withstand rain and earthquake."
For instance, a method called `wattle-and-daube' is used to build houses in earthquake-prone regions. It comprises a load-bearing structure, usually wooden, interwoven with a lattice netting from vegetable matter. Or else, the `cob' method is primarily used, whereby big lumps of mud are piled onto one another and mud added to fill in the gaps. "Apart from cement, rural stabilisers such as straw and bitumen may be added to strengthen mud," explains Shankar. "The non-erodable mud-plastering used is in strict adherence to the norms of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Rourkee," says Shankar. But not all are enthused.
Says Reuben Koshy, architect, "Mud structures have an earthy feel, but clients mostly opt for concrete. Mud structures can't be mass-produced, for they require expertise and strict supervision. Aspects such as plumbing and electrical work need careful planning."
"The pipes, for plumbing and electrical work, can be laid simultaneously with the construction work. If alterations are required, chases can be made in the walls. Modern tiles can be used on the floors and walls of the bathroom. Or else, mud plastering can be done and the floor can be made waterproof too. Chemicals mixed with mud can make it termite-proof. Effective use of modern technology makes it maintenance-free," adds Eugine.
Some are sceptical about the re-sale value and maintenance involved. Says G. Vidya, who works at the VSSC: "With benign home loans, building a conventional house with good re-sale value makes better sense than investing in a non-conventional one."
With the concept of vacation homes and getaways fast catching on in the city, a few architects, including P. S. Sunil Kumar, are sure that people would acknowledge the benefits of eco-friendly, traditional architecture. One of Kumar's works is Dr. Vijayan's hospital, built in mud, at Nedumangad. The architect uses building materials such as bamboo, mud and wood in his projects, which include the construction of houses and resorts in other States as well.
K. Chandramohan, another city-based architect, says, "The use of mud should be popularised in domestic architecture. However, there are certain constraints in using mud. These can perhaps be overcome by using pre-fabricated mud blocks along with the structural system (beams and pillars)".
Says Shankar: "Like any other building material, mud too has its limitations. The challenge lies in overcoming them."
It is an often-held notion that such methods of low-cost construction can either be aesthetic or practical, "not both"; adding a degree of flair and panache to a place invariably takes away some of its functional value. It's a myth happily shattered by the likes of Pandala, Shankar and Kumar.
SMITHA SADANANDAN
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