This Couple Builds Cement-free, Eco-friendly Homes That Need No Air Conditioning | The Better India
Summary
TLDRDhruvan Hingmiri and Priyanka Gunjikar, a Pune-based architect couple, are revolutionizing home construction with their eco-friendly, semen-free designs. Utilizing ancient Indian construction methods and local materials, their homes stay cool without ACs or fans, even in 38-degree heat. Graduates of Rajna Sunset Academy of Architecture in Mumbai, they've completed six projects, emphasizing clay and lime plaster for natural air exchange. Influenced by architect Malak Singh Gil, their goal is for buildings to blend seamlessly with the landscape, promoting traditional oiling over chemical polishing.
Takeaways
- π‘ The architect couple from Pune specializes in building eco-friendly, breathable homes that remain cool without the need for air conditioning or fans, even in high temperatures.
- π± They focus on using locally sourced natural materials and employing local labor, emphasizing sustainability and supporting the local economy.
- ποΈ Dhruvan Hingmiri and Priyanka Gunjikar use ancient Indian construction methods, incorporating modern techniques where appropriate, to create their unique designs.
- π Both architects are graduates from the Rajna Sunset Academy of Architecture in Mumbai, indicating a formal education that informs their innovative approach to building.
- π They have completed six projects and have three more underway, showcasing their commitment and success in this field.
- π The couple begins each project by assessing the area to understand the availability of materials and the technologies that can be integrated into the construction process.
- π« They avoid using cement and instead opt for clay and lime plaster, which allows for better air exchange and contributes to the cooling effect within the homes.
- π οΈ The construction process takes approximately four months to complete the structure and an additional four to five months to finish the interiors.
- π‘ Their inspiration comes from architect Malak Singh Gil, known for designing houses using traditional and sustainable materials, highlighting the influence of mentorship in their work.
- π³ Dhruva and Priyanka believe in designs that blend with the landscape, rather than imposing a signature style that detracts from the natural environment.
- π΅ The script includes musical interludes, suggesting a multimedia presentation that may accompany the architectural narrative.
Q & A
What unique feature do the homes built by the architect couple from Pune have?
-The homes built by the architect couple from Pune are semen-free, eco-friendly, and breathable, staying cool even at 38 degrees outside without the need for air conditioning or fans.
Who are Dhruvan Hingmiri and Priyanka Gunjikar?
-Dhruvan Hingmiri and Priyanka Gunjikar are architects from Pune who focus on India's ancient construction methods, using locally sourced natural materials and local labor.
What educational background do Dhruvan and Priyanka have in architecture?
-Both Dhruvan and Priyanka are graduates from the Rajna Sunset Academy of Architecture in Mumbai.
How many projects have Dhruvan and Priyanka completed so far?
-Dhruvan and Priyanka have completed six projects, with three more underway.
What materials do they primarily use in their construction process?
-They primarily use mud, clay, and lime plaster, steering clear of cement to maintain the eco-friendliness of their constructions.
How do they approach the design and construction of a new project?
-They first assess the area to understand the available materials and their procurement, then identify technology that can be incorporated into the building process.
What technique do they use to facilitate air exchange through the walls and roof?
-They use clay and lime plaster, which allows for air exchange, helping to cool the rooms.
Why do they avoid polishing the walls of their constructions?
-Polishing is a chemical-heavy and irreversible process; instead, they opt for traditional oiling.
How long does it take them to complete the structural phase and the interiors of a project?
-It takes about four months to complete the structural phase and another four to five months to finish the interiors.
Who influenced their architectural philosophy during their college years?
-Architect Malak Singh Gil heavily influenced them, who is known for designing houses using traditional and sustainable materials.
What is their design philosophy regarding the visibility of the architect's name on the buildings?
-Dhruvan and Priyanka believe that a design should not scream the name of the architect but should merge with the surrounding landscape.
Outlines
π‘ Eco-Friendly Architecture in India
This paragraph introduces an innovative architect couple from Pune, India, who specialize in building sustainable and eco-friendly homes that remain cool even in extreme heat. Dhruvan Hingmiri and Priyanka Gunjikar utilize ancient construction methods and locally sourced materials, avoiding the use of air conditioning or fans. They have completed six projects and have three more in progress. Their approach involves assessing the area for available materials and suitable technologies, favoring clay and lime plaster over cement for better air exchange. The couple's design philosophy is influenced by their mentor, Malak Singh Gil, and they aim for their buildings to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Architect
π‘Semen-free homes
π‘Eco-friendly
π‘Breathable
π‘Locally sourced materials
π‘Ancient methods
π‘Mud
π‘Clay and lime plaster
π‘Air conditioning (ACs)
π‘Traditional oiling
π‘Inspiration
Highlights
Architect couple from Pune specializes in building eco-friendly, semen-free homes that remain cool without ACs or fans even at 38 degrees Celsius.
Dhruvan Hingmiri and Priyanka Gunjikar utilize India's ancient construction methods and locally sourced natural materials.
The architects prioritize the employment of local labor in their projects.
They started building with mud three years ago, employing unconventional techniques for home construction.
Both are graduates from Rajna Sunset Academy of Architecture in Mumbai.
Completed six projects with three more underway, showcasing their commitment to sustainable architecture.
Their process begins with a survey of the area to understand available materials and procurement locations.
They identify and incorporate technology suitable for the building process.
Cement is avoided in favor of clay and lime plaster for better air exchange and cooling.
Traditional oiling is preferred over chemical-heavy polishing processes.
It takes approximately four months to complete the structural phase of their buildings.
An additional four to five months are spent on interior finishing.
Their inspiration comes from architect Malak Singh Gil, known for designing with traditional and sustainable materials.
Dhruvan and Priyanka believe in designs that blend with the surrounding landscape rather than standing out.
Their approach to architecture emphasizes sustainability, local materials, and community involvement.
The couple's work challenges conventional building methods by embracing ancient Indian construction techniques.
Their buildings are designed to be in harmony with nature, reflecting a deep respect for the environment.
Transcripts
this architect couple from pune builds
semen-free homes that stay cool even
when it's 38 degrees outside
these breathable eco-friendly houses
don't need acs or even fans
dhruvan hingmiri and priyanka gunjikar
are not your typical architects
the duo chose to build their career on
india's ancient methods of constructing
houses and emphasize on using of locally
sourced natural materials as well as
employment of local labor
three years ago they started building in
mud which uses unconventional techniques
to design and construct homes
so far these graduates from rajna sunset
academy of architecture mumbai have
completed six projects three more are
underway
how do they go about their business
first they do a request of the area to
understand what materials are available
and where these can be procured
and then they identify the technology
that can be used to incorporate in the
building process
they try to steer clear of cement and
stick to clay and line lime plaster
facilitates exchange of air through the
walls and roof which helps cool a heated
room
the couple does not polish it since it's
a chemical heavy irreversible process
instead they go for traditional oiling
it takes them about four months to
complete the course structure and
another four to five months to finish
the interiors
where does their inspiration come from
in college they were heavily influenced
by architect malak singh gil who is
known for designing houses from
traditional and sustainable materials
druvang and priyanka don't believe that
a design needs to screen the name of the
architect who built it they want their
buildings to merge with the landscape
around it
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