The Open Space + Aman Setu School

Summer Apprenticeship in Building and Rational Architecture

Building = bricks+cement+steel+specialized architect

Or perhaps:

Building= wood+bamboo+thatch+mud

Or even

Building= cardboard+wire+plastic sheet+junk

Right?

But there’s something missing in all the equations: OURSELVES

Why aren’t we involved in creating the spaces we use?

How can we use resources more rationally while building ?

Is there a reason for choosing or rejecting certain building techniques?

And most important of all, don’t you want to take building into your own hands?

Open Space and Aman Setu announce

I) Natural Construction: (2 week module)

19^th April – 1^st May 2010

9:00AM to 6:00PM

Learn how to design and build spaces using natural materials and junk. Experience the freedom of self-help construction through various techniques.

The course participants will take part in the design and construction of classrooms initiated by students of Aman Setu School, Wagholi. The construction will involve various elements of natural building with a focus on earth construction. Participants will also explore junk element design and application, natural finishes, green roofs etc.

The course will flow through the following modules (Modifications will be made as needed to maximize contextual learning):

• Natural Building
• Anatomy of a building
• Basics of Climatology
• Solar Passive Design and Planning
• Participatory Design/ Consensus Design
• Building as Learning Aid (BaLA)
• Introduction to Earth construction
• Earth construction Methods
• Basics of Soil
• Experiential Soil tests
• Soil stabilization and natural stabilizers
• Designing in Earth: guidelines and thumb-rules
• Natural finishes
• Design and Construction in Junk
• Component Design in Junk

II) Ecological Sanitation    (1 week module)

3^rd May – 8^th May 2010

9:00AM to 6:00PM

Learn how to design and built decentralized, cost effective, sustainable and appropriate sanitation solutions. Learn how to close the loop!

The course participants will participate in the design and construction of the Ecosan toilet block at Aman Setu School. The construction will involve various elements of natural building including earth construction, junk element design and application.

The course will flow through the following modules (Modified as needed to maximize contextual learning):

• Sanitation Overview
• Current paradigms
• Linear vs. Looped models
• Closing the Loop
• Pee & Poo
• Various kinds of ‘wastewaters’ and mitigation strategies
• Reuse strategies
• Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Technologies and components
• Holistic Sanitation
• Component Design
• Designing the Sanitation process

Methodology:

Participants will study the theory as well as the practical aspects of different materials and technologies. The course will comprise of classroom sessions, but focus predominantly on experiential learning.

Who should apply:

- Individuals who are passionate about ecological processes and sustainable development

- Individuals who are physically fit and can endure long (and enjoyable) working hours of manual labor

- Individuals need NOT have previous knowledge regarding construction or design

- Preferably individuals between the ages of 18-30.

- Individuals who love working in teams

What you can expect on program completion:

- A reinvigorated spirit

- A holistic understanding of natural construction and/or ecological sanitation

- Freedom and confidence in application of particular technologies

- A Certificate of participation from Aman Setu and Open Space

Investment:

I) Natural Construction:   2500 Rs

II) Ecological Sanitation: 1500 Rs

Both:                              3,500 Rs.

This includes:

-          Transportation to and from a central city location to Aman Setu

-          Breakfast and Lunch

-          Training material for respective modules

How to Apply:

Candidates need to fill up and email the attached Registration form to soar...@gmail.com  by 3^rd April, 2010.

We are limiting the number of seats to 6 participants per course in order to ensure a thorough experience. Please send your application at the earliest.

Open Space is a social change resource centre working to encourage debate, discussion and action on contemporary social, economic and cultural issues among youth and citizens.

http://www.openspaceindia.org/

Aman Setu is a school conceptualized and managed by the Madhavi Kapur Foundation.

http://www.amansetu.com/

For Queries, Please contact Sourabh (98508 22 22 6) or Ujwala (020 25457371)