This project can create awareness in the minds of urban population, where people used to see nature on

screens, eat breads & milk out of the plastic bag and breathe the carbon di oxide filled air, about natural

living.

Finally we are all humans & as those, we need the earth. Many of us realize that we cannot buy health &

happiness, that we can only bring it out when we are ourselves in our mother nature. By this project, it is

possible to reconnect & build bridges between urban & rural societies for better understanding & learning

from nature.

The large piece of land selected for this project lies on contour site, over looking the terrain. Rather than

farm relating only to the conventional weekend recreation these farmhouses will turn into exclusive

‘Agrihomes’, where comfort is achieved through natural living.

Following the intention of natural living the houses will be designed according to the local climate and will

be built of exceptional ecological & vernacular materials & techniques. Each house in the project will be

erected according to the vastushastra principles, produce its own energy; will conserve energy, water &

ecological value of the land.

The surrounding farm will be spacious & designed according to premaculture principles. Embedded in

green the Agrihomes society will have several leisure time facilities like walking & jogging tracks, sports

facilities, lawns for reunions etc.

Homes were you would like to come to de-stress, revive and feel happy would be made following strict

norms of Vastu and Bau-biology. Sustainable and Indian Green philosophy of Prithwe institute would be

demonstrated in each homes were locally available, natural and healthy building material would be used

for construction. Bamboo, rammed earth and basalt stone would be the main structural elements.

These 2 or 3 bedroom homes would also have a cow shed, personal water body, helpers den, open

decks, porticos, outdoor dinning and yoga spaces. Native landscaping would be included in the

Permaculture design.

1. Prithwe Community - Agrihomes

Urban Lifestyle

Bamboo House

5.1 Accessibility

The site for the Agrihomes is accessed from South East. As site is situated on hill slope there

exists less natural pathways made by villagers, tress passers & animal.

The road network created on site by taking into consideration the slope & gradient of site &

maximum allowable gradient of road.

5.2 Topography

The site is situated on hilly terrain, with gradients between 1:2 to 1:6.Steep valleys & contours are indicated in the adjoining map.

Soil Characteristics

The soil can be categorized as silty clay to silty clay loam (sand: 21 – 24%, silt: 32 – 27%,

clay: 46 – 48%)

5.3 Climate

The area for “Prithwe” falls under the tropical – wet climate zone. A tropical rainy climate covers

regions experiencing persistent warm or high temperatures, which normally do not fall below

18 °C. In the region around Pune, the annual dry bulb temperatures range between 24 and 38°C.

Average annual temperature: 22.5 – 25 deg.Wind speed: 33 – 39 m/secMain wind direction: southwestMonsoon: June – SeptemberAverage rainfall: 150 – 250 cm

5. Site Analysis

Access

Topography

5.1 Accessibility Map 5.2 Topography Map

5. Site Analysis

5.4 Vegetation

The cultivated plantation is rare, but intensifying towards the streams. Areas on the lower slopes are

used for rice cultivation on terraces. Moving upwards, the hills are occupied by tree plantations, mainly

cashew. Various fruit trees can be found, such as mango, amla and the holy udumbara. The upper

vegetation has been left to nature, which has given ground for acacia, eucalyptus and various kinds of

pines, wild bamboo, flowery shrubs such as jasmine, various thorns and grasses. The slopes show

several open pockets with rocky ground between the dense vegetation.

5.5 Hydrology – water harvesting possibilities

The adjacent river is dammed 17km east at the location of Bhor. There it forms a huge reservoir holding

the water for agricultural, domestic and industrial use of the region for the months after monsoon. The

site is cut by various natural water streams that channel the water from the hilltop towards the river. In

monsoon times these are carrying a lot of water, but shortly after monsoon, they are already quite dry

and the water keeps on moving underground. The groundwater level seems to be high and several

natural water sources can be found on the site.

The moderate hydraulic conductivity of the soil gives a good base for natural water holding

arrangements. Swales and diversion ditches on contours can be a good solution to hold back rainwater

in the monsoons and store it in the soils, prevent from erosion, sedimentation and runoff of important

nutrients. These swales can be connected to the natural water sources on the site to collect water from

there and distribute it over the site in after monsoon times.

5.4 Vegetation 5.5 Hydrology

5. Site Analysis

5.6 Microclimatic Analysis

Ma

in

W

in

d

Di

re

ct

io

n

Flat Land getting maximum solar radiations & un obstructed wind flow - Most suitable location for renewable energy sources

Conclusion -

The region falls under warm & humid climatic zone, so that favorable micro-climatic conditions can be achieved by allowing wind & obstructing sun on site.

Steps of Micro-climatic Analysis

1. Annual shadow pattern analysis2. Annual wind flow analysis3. Preparation of site shadow & wind pattern drawing to

grid cell system4. Micro climate of each grid cell can be analyzed by over

laying sun shadows & wind pattern drawings.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, SPECIFICATION, & WATER CONSERVATION -CONSTRUCTION –

1. Rain water collection and use1. Indian GREEN compatible design 2. In-house grey water treatment & recycling2. Appropriate green construction methods for 3. Black water systems

specific locality and climatic conditions 4. Low flow water appliances/fixtures3. Low carbon life-cycle of materials & building 5. Storm water and runoff control4. Low waste in life-cycle of materials & 6. Green roof

building 7. Permeable paving systems 5. Low toxicity, low ecological impact

materials & products6. EMF sensitive electrical design ACHIEVING ZERO WASTE -7. Convenient recycling & composting

facilities 1. Waste audits8. Permaculture landscaping & gardens 2. Project management of sustainable 9. Building site waste reduction/recycling infrastructure to prevent waste

systems & procedures 3. Scoping study and evaluation of new 10.Design for deconstruction - recycling upon technologies in waste minimisation

demolition 4. Drafting waste minimisation plans and ideas for discussion

5. Sourcing provision of special waste ENERGY EFFICIENT DESIGN - information and contacts

1. Superior performance of thermal envelope2. Optimum orientation & design features R E N E WA B L E / E F F I C I E N T E N E R G Y 3. Passive heating TECHNOLOGIES -4. Passive cooling5. Thermal mass 1. Smart-home automation systems6. Thermal chimneys 2. Photovoltaic systems7. Maximising natural ventilation and air 3. Wind power

circulation 4. Micro Hydro8. Day-lighting 5. Solar water systems9. Zoning 6. LED & energy efficient lighting systems

7. Heat reflective technologies for hot climates8. Sophisticated heat inverter technologies for

ACHIEVING CARBON NEUTRALITY (with heating & coolingCarboNZero) - 9. Bio-Diesel Fuel Generators

1. Carbon life cycle analysis of building materials and construction process

2. Carbon measurement/monitoring and ongoing management

3. Off-setting carbon emissions, active participation in carbon markets

4. Verification and certification of carbon status

6.3 Green Architectural Capability

6. Design Approach

6.1 Need:

• To spend time with nature for mind relaxation,

• Breathing fresh air

• To live in environment which is free from all types of manmade pollution.

6.2 Aim & Objectives:

• To Promote natural lifestyle in urban schedule.

• To Encourage urban people for organic & sustainable farming.

• Climate responsive construction.

• Use of vernacular & ecological building materials & techniques.

• Producing self sufficient energy & food.

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Source – Eco Affordable Housing, The journal of IIA may2010

All the resources are used with care & economy, so the so house becomes a part of local system & Support its health & Sustainability.

Achieving sustainability

7. Sustainable Techniques

Passive Technologies –

To increase sustainability various approaches to lower energy consumption are used

in conjunction with natural building.

Provision of thermal comfort & healthy environment in building, passively is an

important consideration in the designing of buildings for efficiency, and well being of

occupants & nature.

In the earlier times building designers had to rely on natural ways & means for

maximizing comfort inside the buildings. Today’s situation is that none of the measure

resources viz. – land, money & time is available in abundance. This led us to design

passive features more scientifically & technically.

7.1 Micro Climatic Analysis

7.2 Bio Climatic Chart

7.3 Temperature Gradient Graph

7.4 Heat Gain Calculations

to design passive strategies more scientifically & technically

Vegetation Control of solar radiation through glazings or openings

Placement of weathershed according to Summer & Winter Sun Types of Opening for day lighting & effective ventilation Exterior window shading strategies

7. Sustainable Techniques

7.1 Micro climatic analysis:

Analysis drawing that illustrates the site’s

solar geometry, wind patterns, and

existing vegetation

Microclimatic analysis is done by plotting

grid on site & analyzing each cell of grid

for its microclimate.

It is essential to understand that the

climate of a region can be modified on a

small scale within each site. If buildings

are to relate properly to their environment

they must be designed for the site and

climate in which they exist.

Source – Carbon Neutral Project, the American Institute of Architects

to design passive strategies more scientifically & technically

7.2 Bio climatic Chart:

This graph gives information about the

passive design strategies which can be

used in particular climate, by plotting dry

bulb temperature & RH values.

This technique helps us to determine

architectural responses that produces

thermal comfort in the particular climate

zone.

Source – Thermal Environment & companion reference on climate

7.3 Temperature Gradient Graphs:

This graph gives information about

temperature at any point within the wall

mass.

For material selection & fenestration

design of building façade temperature

gradient graphs are used.

Source – Manual of Tropical Housing Design

Sources of heat gain in building envelope

7.Sustainable Techniques

to design passive strategies more scientifically & technically

7.4 Heat Gain & Sizing of Openings:

Heat Gain

in Building

Envelope

Internal

Heat Gain

External

Heat Gain

By

occupants

By Electric

Lighting

By Electric

Equipments

Thr’

Building

Skin

Thr’

Glazing

Thr’

Infiltration

Heat Gain

in Building

Envelope

Internal

Heat Gain

External

Heat Gain

By

occupants

By Electric

Lighting

By Electric

Equipments

Thr’

Building

Skin

Thr’

Glazing

Thr’

Infiltration

Sizing of Openings:

Required size of openings can be obtained by plotting heat gain against wind speed

Source – Thermal Environment & companion reference on climate Provision os sun shading according to sun position & season

126 W/sq.m.

3 m/s

5.5% opening of floor area

Heat Gain CalculationsExternal Heat Gain

Internal Heat Gain 4. Through Building Skin - The amount of heat that flow through the building skin due to

1. By occupancy - Metabolic energy of people can contribute too substantially to the amount of temperature difference between “inside & outside”, is a function of magnitude of that heat generated in the building. The heat generated depends upon the degree of physical difference, resistance to heat flow by the skin materials & the area of skin.activity of human being.

5. Through Glazing - The amount of solar radiations transmitted through the glazing is the 2. By Electric lighting - The inevitable by product of electric lighting heat. The amount of heat function of available radiations, surface area of the glazing, orientation & heat transmission

generated by electric lighting is a function of illumination level & the efficiency of light source. characteristics of the exposed skin.

3. By Electric equipments - Electrical equipments & appliances operating in space contribute 6. By Infiltration - Infiltration heat loss or heat gain is obtained wherever the inside temperature heat to that space. Amount of heat generated is a function of the kind of equipments used, the of building is higher or lower than the outside temperature.amount of equipment & how often it is operated.

The diagram shows the types of shading devices into fixed and movable. Movable shading devices may include awnings, hinged extensions and vegetation. If a mechanically dependent solution, the device needs to be designed for durability. February mid to October mid openings on east & west side

8. Natural Building

A natural building involves a range of building systems & materials

that place major emphasis on sustainability. Ways of achieving

sustainability through natural building focus on durability & use of

renewable natural resources, such materials which in their original or

recycled form produce healthy living environments & maintain indoor

air quality.

Creating homes and buildings that are good for human health and for the planet is an essential part of sustainability. There are many Natural Building technologies in the world that are adaptable to the many climates and bioregions. Most of them rely on a few basic materials: earth, wood, and straw (where straw can be loosely defined to include any dried non-woody plant material such as palm fronds, reeds, etc.). Depending on the climate these materials can be combined in any number of ways to make a natural home.

Provision of thermal comfort & healthy environment in interiors is an important consideration in the designing of the buildings for efficiency & well being of occupants. The materials common to many types of natural building s are earth & bamboo.

While dealing with natural building following points are taken

into consideration,

�The orientation of building

�The utilization of local climate & site conditions

�Vernacular & ecological construction materials & technologies

�The emphasis passive techniques through design

�The operational & maintenance cost of the building

�Positive impact on the surrounding environment

�On site energy acquisition

�On site water capture

�Alternate sewage treatment & water reuse

Rammed Earth Construction,

Earth is an ancient building material that has been used in many

different ways around the world for thousand years. Building with

earth materials can be way of helping the sustainable management of

the earth’s resources. They can be put in place by using simple

machinery & human energy. Earth buildings avoid deforestation &

pollution and can achieve low energy costs throughout their life time

(in initial manufacture & construction, in their use as home, and

eventually their recycling back to earth)

Rammed earth is a form of unbaked earth construction used primarily

to build walls; other applications include floors, roofs & foundations.

Rammed earth is formed by compacting moist sub soil inside

temporary form work. Loose moist soil is placed in layers 100 – 150

mm deep & compacted. These walls are typically 300 – 450 mm thick.

Row materials required for rammed earth construction –

• Soil – it is primary constitute of rammed earth. It should be

taken from subsoil found beneath organic & life sustaining topsoil. • Sand & Gravels – 45% - 80%, Silt contents – 10% - 30%• Clay contents – 5% - 20%, Plasticity index – 2 – 30• Linear shrinkage – less than 5%• Organic contents – less than 2%• Soluble Salt contents – less than 2%• Water – the quality & quantity of water present has a very

important influence on the overall quality of rammed earth.

The water used should not contain excess organic matter

&soluble salt.• Additives – additives may be used to improve strength,

water resistance & shrinkage in rammed earth construction. Natural

fibers such as straw are added in the rammed earth construction to

overcome the defects. Straws from all main cereals (wheat, barley,

rye, oats and maize)

8.1 Natural Building Materials

Bamboo Bamboo construction falls into the category of being environmentally friendly as the plants are extremely fast growing in comparison to trees. Bamboos have a high leaf surface area that makes it very efficient at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and generating oxygen in its place.

Bamboo Construction

Bamboo is one of the oldest and most versatile building materials with many applications in the field of construction. It is strong and lightweight and can often be used without processing or finishing. Bamboo constructions are easy to build, resilient to wind and even earthquake forces, and readily repairable in the event of damage.

Bamboo is non-durable in its natural state. It provides a ready food source for insects and fungi, and can decay in less than a year in direct ground contact. Protection is therefore essential to ensure the longest possible life for the material, and the building in which it is used. Protection does not necessarily mean chemical treatment. The first line of defense is good design.

8.1 Natural Building Materials

8.1 Natural Building Materials

Adobe

Adobes are sun-dried mud bricks stacked with a mud mortar to create thick-walled structures.

Cob

Cob is an ancient technique of building monolithic walls using "cobs" of moist earth and straw.

Compressed Earth Blocks

Compressed earth blocks are similar to adobes, with the main differences being they are not fully saturated with water

Earthbags

Earthbags are soil-filled fabric sacks or tubes used to create walls and domes.

Earthships

"Earthships" are the name for the independent living structures utilizing passive solar design and recycled materials

Light Straw-Clay

It is a German technique of ramming loose straw coated with a clay slip into forms as an infill for timber frame structures.

Thatch

The use of reeds, grasses or palm fronds as a roofing material

Wattle and Daub

The technique of weaving branches (wattle) as a support for mud plaster (daub)

WoodWood is an ideal building material: strong, easily worked and beautiful.

Hemp and other Fibers

Hemp and other fiber-producing plants as kenaf and saw grass are currently being investigated as potential building products.

Natural Plasters and Finishes.

Before the advent of portland cement, most earthen and masonry structures were protected by mud- or lime-based plasters.

Straw Bale Construction

Straw-bale construction is a building method that uses bales of straw as structural elements, building insulation, or both.