Ecological Houses in Auroville

Project Proposal

For the building of housing units with complete infrastructure

Project Holders Dorothea Hach and Manfred Lehnert September 2009 Auroville

Contents

Introduction Ecological Housing in Auroville........p. 1

Auroville Architecture in Auroville The Need for a New Ecological Housing Project p. 2

New Ecological Housing Project........p.3

1. Design Criteria 2. Building Materials and Construction Methods 3. Water and Sanitation 4. Energy Comparison of Embodied Energy Requirements.........p. 5 Phases of development of the Ecological Housing Project........p. 6 Annexe I : Houses Types A and B........p. 7

Annexe II : Architectural Drawings of Houses Types A and B.........p. 8, 9 Annexe III : Architectural Drawings of the Family House.........p. 10, 11

Annexe IV : Budget and Funding Requirement........p. 12 - 14 Annexe V : Production of Thermocol panels........p. 15

Annexe VI : CVs of Project Holders..........p. 15 Annexe VII : Scoring points for "Criteria for Green Buildings by TERI-Griha" p. 16, 17

Introduction
All buildings have major impacts on the environment beginning from the production and transport of building materials, during construction, maintenance during their life span, till their removal. Conventional buildings not only waste much energy, material resources and water, they also generate large amounts of waste, and pollute the environment. Ecological construction is a way of building that reduces resource consumption and the impact on ecological systems, and creates products and environments that are beneficial to human health and longevity. Buildings that are ecologically constructed are easy to assemble, and maintain, waste less, and are easier to recycle. Ecological building is designed to create and sustain the health and vitality of the local environment.

Worldwide, the building sector accounts for 40% of the total energy consumption 30% of raw materials consumption 25% of timber harvest 35% of CO2 emission 16% of fresh water withdrawal 40% of municipal waste 50% of ozone depleting CFC

In India, the construction industry is the single largest consumer of energy intensive materials like cement, steel, aluminium.

Ecological housing in Auroville

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Auroville Envisaged as a city for 50,000 people, Auroville is an emerging township of presently about 2,000 volunteers from India and from 45 countries around the world. Located in a rural area of Tamil Nadu, on a low-lying plateau on the south-eastern coast of India, 160 km. south of Chennai, it is surrounded by 13 villages with a population of approximately 40,000 people. . The present community of Auroville consists of some 100 settlements of varying sizes. Auroville has created a basic infrastructure of roads, water and electricity supply, telecommunications, including an internet communications network. Accommodation has been constructed for 2000 people and municipal services have been established for food production, purchase and distribution, for waste disposal and recycling, education, health care, financial transactions, and town planning. Over the past 40 years, Aurovilles most pioneering and cutting-edge work has been in the area of ecology environmental regeneration, organic farming, renewable energy and innovative building technologies. Auroville's concept is to build a city with an optimum mix of densities and appealing urban forms and amenities, while the surrounding Green Belt will be a fertile zone for applied research in the sectors of food production, forestry, soil conservation, water management, waste management and other areas which assist sustainable development. The results of such innovative methods would be available for application in both rural and urban areas in India and the world. Architecture in Auroville The dream of building a new city for the future on a clean slate, with the purpose of promoting research and experimentation alongside integral development, has been attracting architects and students of architecture from all over the world ever since Aurovilles inception in 1968. Experimentation in building Auroville includes building materials, building technology, ecofriendly architecture, climate responsive designs, integration with natural surroundings, costeffective buildings. Some of the most positive results of the last four decades of applied research have been in ferro-cement technology and building with cement stabilized earth blocks, some of which have won national design awards and significant grants-in-aid from agencies that support these innovations.

-2The Need for a New Ecological Housing Project There are two fundamental needs that currently have a significant adverse impact on the development of the Auroville township: a) existing housing is inadequate to meet the demands of a growing community, and b) rising costs of construction, especially using ecologically unsustainable building technologies, which are making it difficult for individuals to afford new housing, particularly for a young professional generation committing to a project that is based on voluntary participation. The purpose of this new ecological housing project is therefore twofold: a) to provide affordable housing for approximately 15 residents, many of whom are already on waiting lists for housing in Auroville, and b) to demonstrate a simple and effective method of constructing an integrated, energy efficient housing community that lowers both direct and external costs. In order to encourage newcomers to the Auroville project, and to ensure that the housing model is viable, this proposal will provide a sustainable energy and water infrastructure for 3 single occupant units, 4 double occupant units, and 1 family unit, amounting to a 27% subsidy of the overall development cost, as well as meeting the entire cost of the first double occupant housing unit, as a demonstration of the models efficiency and integrity. The housing unit cost itself will be reduced to Rs. 12,000/m2 from the rising averages of 1520,000 Rs., making the total cost for such a unit in this complex only Rs. 12.8 lakhs (see Funding-Phase I & II below). The New Ecological Housing Project Ecological buildings use a variety of different technologies and building materials to create eco-friendly housing and other structures. The concept of Eco-houses we are developing includes the effective utilization of resources as well as the implementation of several new technologies, including: a) waste styrofoam insulation, b) fibre reinforced, sun-dried bricks, c) bamboo, fibre, cement roof channels, d) compost toilet and waste water treatment systems (see Illustrations below). Self Evaluation According to TERI GRIHA (Green Buildings) TERIGRIHA is a guiding and performance-oriented system where points are earned for meeting the design and performance intent of the criteria. Each criterion has a number of points assigned to it......TERI-GRIHA has a 100 point system consisting of some core points, which are mandatory to be met while the rest are optional points, which can be earned by complying with the commitment of the criterion for which the point is allocated. Different levels of certification (one star to five star) are awarded based on the number of points earned. ....... (see Annexe VII) We will endeavour to achieve a maximum value (5 stars) according to these criteria, as shown in our Project Self Evaluation.

New Ecological Housing Project Specifications

It will maximize efficiency in the use, re-use, recycling of materials, minimize the use of non renewable materials and avoid water and air pollution. During their life spans the buildings will need a minimum of energy and water to maintain comfort. Eco-houses will preserve the land, top soil, trees, and will minimize environmental impacts on the air, water, animals. It will combine various ecological features as experimented with elsewhere in Auroville, as well as applying new techniques and materials. Experiences can be applied to a future more sustainable Auroville Architecture. Lower costs and subsidies will encourage the general development of Auroville.

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1. Design Criteria Positioning: the houses will be positioned in such a way that no healthy tree needs to be cut. Orientation: to have optimal use of solar panels and solar water heaters. Openings are positioned for a maximum of ventilation. Wall exposure to direct sun light is minimized. Pollution: to minimize sound and light pollution. Building materials: chosen for their environmental sustainability. Preference is given to locally available materials.

2. Building materials and Construction methods Foundations: in stabilized rammed earth. Walls: Sun dried, hand molded clay bricks, reinforced with coconut fibre and, in some exposed places, FAL-G blocks (Fly Ash-Lime-Gypsum, which need 5.2W of energy for the production of one block, releasing 4.7g of CO2). (Conventional country fired bricks need 1200 W of energy for burning of one brick and release 360 g CO2!.) Floor Slab: few pre-cast RC beams (can be re-used), wood beams, stone slabs, wood planks or cement/lime screed finish. Roof: pre-cast cement channels reinforced with jute and bamboo for pitched roofs instead of energy intensive clay tiles. Lime for mortar and plastering. Concrete and steel will be used only where absolutely necessary. Plant oil will replace the polluting waste oil as concrete release agent. Internal finish: Choice of finishing materials like floor and wall cladding should take into consideration energy used during production and transport: smooth cement finish or stone for bathrooms will be preferred to energy intensive ceramic tiles. Paints should be non toxic. For external heat insulation under the pitched roofs as well as on the walls special panels have been developed, using waste thermocol and cement/lime. (see Annexe V) Where wood is used, preference is given to locally grown trees or old wood.

3. Water and Sanitation

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Rainwater collection: Each house will have a rainwater collection tank with 40-50cum capacity (which will also be used for cooling by means of an air duct through the water, leading cool air into the bed rooms). All waste water will be treated and recycled. Domestic Water: 100 lts. of ground water per person per day will be provided for domestic use initially. The future aim is to be totally self sufficient using recycled water and rain water with a newly developed highly efficient ceramic filter and/or water dynamizer. Toilets: The houses will have the so called compost toilets, which are dry toilets without water flush. The Indian Eco-san toilet for squatting has been functioning since a few years. An adapted, experimental model for sitting has been successfully tried out and is being used locally (see photo). The dry wastes from these toilets can eventually be used as compost. The liquid, which is considered free of harmful bacteria, can be directly used in the garden (rich in nitrogen!) or be treated along with the other waste water as grey water.

4. Energy Minimised energy use: Energy needs will be minimized during construction, as well as later on when the building is inhabited. The design, orientation and materials of these houses are such that no energy will be required for cooling / heating. Solar Panels: Electricity will be generated from solar panels as much as the budget allows. All electrical devices should have an energy label with the lowest energy consumption for their class. Hot water: Hot water will be made available from solar water heaters. Lighting: For lighting, LED lamps should be used as soon as these are freely available in the market, replacing the toxic "energy saving CFL lamps" which release their content of toxic mercury gas into the air when they break. Electric vehicle support: Use of electric vehicles will be encouraged by providing a charging station fed by a generator running on locally harvested plant oil or bio diesel.

-6Phases of development of the Ecological Housing Project

Three types of houses (A, B and Family House) are being proposed as part of this ecological housing project. (see Annexes I - III) Phase I: A single house of Type A is planned as a prototype in the first step. It is being built for an Auroville resident who needs housing. An initial water supply will be provided, as part of the infrastructure for the full project. Phase II: This phase involves the completion of 7 more housing units (3 units- Type A, 3 unitsType B, 1 unit - Family House with completed infrastructure, garages, laundry, common space and charging station with generator. Phase III: A third phase can be envisaged according to needs and funds available.

Funding
Phase I: Funds needed as a grant or donation : Rs. 18,71,000.- (initial energy and water infrastructure and one prototype unit) Funds privately sourced by the prospective residents: None Phase II: Funds needed as a grant or donation : Rs. 37,65,000.- ( energy and water infrastructure and common space) Funds privately sourced by the prospective residents: Rs. 103,15,400.- (residential units) Total estimated cost: Rs. 159,51,000.- (see Annexe IV)

Annexe I 7-

3 Houses Type A in a Row

3 Houses Type B in a Row

Annexe V : Production of Thermocol panels Extract from "Auroville Today", monthly magazine, August 2009
Recycling Styrofoam

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All of the styrofoam waste that arrives in Auroville as packaging material gets recycled thanks to Dorothee, an architect who believes in and practices ecological building techniques. Styrofoam, which is extruded polystyrene foam, is non-biodegradable, she says. It is believed that even after 1000 years, styrofoam does not break down. But Dorothee has found an ingenious way to put the waste polymer to work, by creating lightweight panels of styrofoam-embedded cement' which have good heat insulation properties. The panels measuring 60 cms by 60cms by 4cm and can be used under pitched tiles roofs as well as on flat roofs and on walls.

Annexe VI: CVs of Project Holders

Dorothea Hach Born on 29th April 1946 in Braunschweig, Germany, Dorothee attended the Technical University in Braunschweig for a Diploma in Electronics assistant and then proceeded to Munich College for her certificate Abitur. In September 1969, she came to Auroville, India and upon the Mothers recommendation, worked in the Auroville Architect's Office "Aurofuture" under Roger Anger; from 1979 onwards she worked as a team architect in "Auromodele Atelier". Between 1989 and 1994, Dorothee was in England and Germany, working in various architect's offices and then returned finally to Auroville in 1994. Since then, she has been continuously working as a self employed architect in Pondicherry and Auroville.

Manfred Lehnert
Manfred Lehnert, who hails from Germany, joined Auroville in 1993 and is working on a variety of research and development projects. Manfred has a Physical Engineering Diploma from Germany topped with decades of practical experience in the design of engine components and other engineering projects, cryogenics (working with liquid helium), vacuum technology, silencers for cars and motorbikes, reactors/catalysers for cars, water heating systems, welding and soldering techniques and anti-corrosion systems. In Auroville, Manfred worked 5 years in the water services in Auromodel, and organized the installment of water meters, in the research of Solar sea water desalination and plant oil as a substitute for harmful diesel oil in diesel engines, generators and water pumps. Since 2005 he works in the Auroville Health Services (executive),in the area of public health ( safe drinking water, compost toilets, etc ), which includes prevention, planning, education and coordination.

Annexe VII: Project Self Evaluation

Scoring points for TERIGRIHA SITE

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Criterion 1: Preserve and protect the landscape during construction. Preserve top soil and existing vegetation, replant, on-site, trees in the ratio 1:3 to those removed during onstruction. yes - 5pts. Criterion 2: Soil conservation (till post-construction). yes - 6pts. Criterion 3: Design to include existing site features. Minimize the disruption of natural ecosystem and design to harness maximum benefits of the prevailing microclimate. yes - 2pts. Criterion 4: Reduce hard paving on-site. Minimize storm water run-off from site by reducing on- site. yes - 2pts. hard paving

Criterion 5: Enhance outdoor lighting system efficiency. Make progressive use of a renewable energy based lighting system. yes - 4pts. Criterion 6: Circulation efficiency. Minimize road and pedestrian walkway length yes - 3pts. HEALTH AND WELL BEING Criterion 7: Provide at least, the minimum level of sanitation/safety facilities for construction workers. yes 2pts. Criterion 8: Reduce air pollution during construction. yes - 2pts. BUILDING AND PLANNING STAGE 1. Water Criterion 9: Reduce landscape water requirement. yes - 3pts. Criterion 10: Reduce building water use. yes - 2pts. Criterion 11: Efficient water use during construction and control the waste of curing water. 2. Energy: end use Criterion 12: Optimize building design to reduce the conventional energy demand. yes - 6pts. Criterion 13: Optimize the energy performance of the building within specified comfort limits. Ensure that energy consumption in building under a specified category is 10%40% less than that benchmarked through a simulation exercise. yes - 12pts. 3. Energy: embodied and construction Criterion 14: Utilization of fly ash in the building structure. yes - 6pts. Criterion 15: Reduce volume, weight, and time of construction by adopting an efficient technology. Replace a part of the energy-intensive materials with less energy-intensive materials and/or utilize regionally available materials, which use low-energy/energy-efficient technologies. yes - 4pts. Criterion 16: Use low-energy material in the interiors. yes - 4pts. yes - 1pt.

-174. Energy: renewable Criterion 17: Renewable energy utilization. yes - 3pts. Criterion 18: Renewable energy - based hot- water system. yes - 2pts. 4. Recycle, recharge, and reuse of water Criterion 19: Wastewater treatment yes - 2pts. Criterion 20: Water recycle and reuse (including rainwater). yes - 5pts. 5. Waste management Criterion 21: Reduction in waste during construction. yes - 2pts. Criterion 22: Efficient waste segregation. yes - 2pts. Criterion 23: Storage and disposal of waste. yes - 2pts. Criterion 24: Resource recovery from waste. yes - 2pts. 6. Health and well-being Criterion 25: Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints/adhesives/sealants. yes - 4pts Criterion 26: Minimize ozone depleting substances yes - 3pts Criterion 27: Ensure water quality. yes - 2pts. Criterion 28: Acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels. yes - 2pts. Criterion 29: Tobacco and smoke control. Criterion 30: Energy audit and validation. Criterion 31: Operation and maintenance protocol for electrical and mechanical equipment. Criterion 32: Bonus points. Four bonus points are available under the rating system for adopting criteria which enhance the green intent of a project, and the applicant can apply for the bonus points. Some of the probable points, not restricted to the ones enumerated below, could be 1. Alternative transportation yes - 4pts. 2. Environmental education 3. Company policy on green supply chain 4. Lifecycle cost analysis 5. Any other criteria proposed by applicant: Compost Toilet 4pts. TOTAL SCORE: 99 pts. = 5 Stars yes - 1pt.