Designing Before Drawing

The first two months of working within Aurospace has been an exponential curve of learning, which has made the group realise that ‘design’ only compensates for a small portion of practice. The materials, SoW (Schedule of Works), site processes, valuations and other fabrication issues become the primary generators of what ‘design’ is when it is taken from paper into a live project.

The approach of Aurospace assists in the development of a whole design through the consideration of material use, construction and cost from the outset of an idea. For example, with the toilet block at Sharanam there was an idea of using bamboo for a canopy and screen to provide shelter and privacy for the building. Before too much consideration suppliers were sourced, prices were discussed and different test samples were made on-site. This allowed us to consider if bamboo was a viable option, would it fit in the valuation of the building and how the material could be used.

On-site testing of bamboo in a horizontal plane for the canopy, including cutting technique, and in a vertical plane for the screen, considering different available sizes.

This was all done after one sketch by the architect and before any formal drawing.

Makin the Foundations of Sharanam

Last week we were fortunate enough to meet Neil and Pamela Makin who have not been to India for several years, but are cornerstones of the Sharanam project. As the chairman of The Cadbury Foundation Mr Makin has been instrumental towards the development of the Sharanam project because he believes it is a worthwhile scheme and model for developing India.

We had the opportunity to introduce ourselves along with the reasons why we chose to travel to Pondicherry following graduation to volunteer on the Sharanam project, whilst also discussing the individual projects and tasks we are undertaking across the site. It was an interesting encounter representing how business, charity and arts can overlap to produce a meaningful venture.

Sharanam

Shuniya mathi Sarjan.

This short phrase in Gujarati beautifully expresses what we all can do. It means “Creation from Nothing”.

There is no skilled or specialist construction crew. There are no high quality materials, no specialist tools, no workshop machinery, no products, no proprietary systems.

And yet at Sharanam, a massive 200 tonne vault – highly engineered to span 9.5m – has been built using village masons and no supporting formwork. An entire world of delightful flexible spaces has been constructed below.

Our materials? Soil, water, sand, a little cement and even less steel.

Our tools? Trowels, buckets, sieves, home-grown scaffolding, plumb lines, spirit levels, tapes, coir rope and a ball of string.

With hands alone, any detail is possible.