A ten-day residential workshop to provide introductory hands-on training in some of the foundational skills of earthen building in the neo-traditional Kangra style of esteemed eco-architect Didi Contractor as practiced at Dharmalaya Institute. Learn to work with earth in an adobe structure, including making and laying adobe bricks, as well as other interior work
Overview
Program Type : Training workshop (residential)
Topic : Construction of Kangra-style earthen buildings
Dates : 1-10 May 2019 (must attend from the start and remain for the duration), followed by an optional extended practicum until as late as 1st June 2019
Language : English (with Hindi translation if requested)
Facilitator : Christina George, with Dharmalaya Institute’s artisans and interns
Description
A ten-day residential workshop to provide introductory hands-on training in some of the foundational skills of earthen building in the neo-traditional Kangra style of esteemed eco-architect Didi Contractor as practiced at Dharmalaya Institute. Learn to work with earth in an adobe structure, including making and laying adobe bricks, as well as other interior work (which, depending on weather and the needs on site at the time, might include flooring, fine finishing, etc.). There will also be the option to stay on for the extended practicum after the workshop (until as late as 1st June) if you wish to deepen your skills and understanding further through practice on site.
After the introductions, orientation (including an introductory talk from the Cofounding Director of Dharmalaya Institute, Mark Moore), and general overview of the programme, the workshop will focus primarily on hands-on training and practice. There will be theory classes, presentations, and discussions in the evenings.
The hands-on work will include various projects around the Dharmalaya campus, including interior work on several earthen structures that are in various stages of completion. We provide training in some of the fundamental techniques, and then step back and give everyone time and space to practice them by working alongside our team of village artisans.
For those who wish to practice yoga and/or meditation, our meditation hall will be available in the mornings before breakfast and in the evenings after the evening sessions.
Activities
What to Expect
Activities might include the following (depending on weather and circumstances):
Hands-on training in Kangra-style neo-traditional earthen architecture, which may include (depending on circumstances):
Making proper earthen mixes using local best practices
Making adobe bricks
Adobe masonry (earthen bricklaying)
Earthen renders (mud plasters)
Wood/bamboo finishing work (sanding, varnishing, etc.)
Flooring (soling, slate tiling, polishing, etc.)
Water management (possibly drainage and gutter work, rainwater harvesting, etc.)
Possibly a session or two of organic gardening or tree planting (weather permitting)
Other activities that vary with each programme
Rustic forested setting with a clean and simple ashram lifestyle in which everyone contributes to the running of the place, including cooking, cleaning, washing dishes and toilets, etc.
The days will be completely full: You’ll wake up early, work hard till 5:00pm, and then the evenings during the intensive training week will be occupied with presentations and discussions.
You’ll spend the whole twelve days at the Dharmalaya Institute without leaving, in order to make the most of our short time together, and for the first six days you won’t have much personal time. So, prepare yourself mentally for being focused and squeezing the maximum learning out of every moment.
You will be working with your hands and body (including plenty of honest hard work!) for approximately six or seven hours per day on most days of the programme, so it is strongly recommended to be in reasonably good physical fitness when you arrive, and you should bring work clothes.
Architecture and design students please note: The focus is not on design, but rather on doing real-world work to gain understanding of the materials, methods, and underlying principles of vernacular eco-architecture.
Please note: This is a very short introductory workshop, and only a few elements of earthen building practice can be covered in such a short span of time. For those who are serious about learning and practicing the techniques of earthen building, we strongly recommend staying after the end of the programme to volunteer during the extended practicum period (until as late as 1st June) so that you can deepen your understanding and improve your skills by doing real-world, hands-on work alongside our local village artisans here on the Dharmalaya campus. An even more comprehensive option for those with serious interest is to take multiple workshops and consider applying for our Internship in Vernacular Eco-Architecture and/or our Earthen Masonry Training Course.
Cost
The total fee for the ten-day workshop is Rs 10,000/-, inclusive of tuition, healthy meals, and comfortable accommodation in shared dormitories (and sometimes a private room may be available at additional cost). Transportation costs are not included. For low-income participants with unusual financial hardship, a limited number of work-study positions are available (please contact us for details).
(Note: The costs during the subsequent optional practicum period are lower, as per the Institute’s standard sliding scale. See this page for details.)
Important Information
Before you pack for your trip to Dharmalaya Institute, please read the very important information on our Visitor Info page and our FAQ. If you have a specific question that is not answered there, contact us here and we’ll be happy to answer.
NOTE FOR STUDENTS SEEKING CERTIFICATES: This is not a certificate course. No certificate or letter will be provided (no exceptions).
Application, registration & payment
This course has ended.