A twelve-day training workshop exploring a range of interior features and finishing processes of earthen building as practiced in the neo-traditional Kangra vernacular as pioneered by Didi Contractor. Learn to build special features such as an earthen oven or ferrocrete composting toilet, as well as other features and fine finishing work.
Overview
Program Type : Introductory training workshop (residential)
Topic : Interior work in Kangra-style earthen buildings
Dates : 6-17 August 2018 (must attend from the start and remain for the duration), followed by optional practicum (volunteer work period) until as late as 6th October.
Language : English (with Hindi translation if requested)
Facilitator : Architect Anujna Dnyaneshwar, supported by Dharmalaya Institute’s artisans and interns
Description
A twelve-day training workshop exploring a range of interior features and finishing processes of earthen building as practiced in the neo-traditional Kangra vernacular as pioneered by Didi Contractor. Learn to build special features such as an earthen oven or ferrocrete composting toilet, as well as other features and fine finishing work (e.g. wood finishing, slate finishing, etc.). The workshop will be followed by an optional extended practicum (volunteer period) for as many weeks as you would like to stay (up until as late as 6th October), during which you can improve your skills and understanding by working with our team of artisans.
Schedule
After the introductions, orientation, and general overview of the programme, the workshop will focus primarily on hands-on training and practice. During the first week, there will be hands-on training during the days and theoretical/philosophical explorations in the evenings. During the second week, the focus will be improving one’s skills and understanding by spending time practicing what one has learned, working alongside our construction team.
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 various 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:
Wood/bamboo finishing work (sanding, varnishing, etc.)
Flooring (slate tiling, polishing, etc.)
Creation of a mud oven (chula)
Creation of a dual-chambered composting toilet
Observation of more highly-skilled interior work that might be happening, such as tiling, plumbing and electrical work
Water management (possibly drainage and gutter work, rainwater harvesting, etc.)
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 will be occupied with presentations and discussions.
You won’t have much personal time during this workshop and you’ll spend the whole workshop period at the Dharmalaya Institute without leaving, in order to make the most of our short time together. 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.
Clean, pure, and disciplined, yoga ashram-stsyle environment. No smoking, drinking, or drugs (neither on campus nor off campus). Please read our Terms & Conditions for participation here.
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.
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 for a while (typically two to four weeks), 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.
Cost
The total fee for the workshop is Rs 12,000/-, 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).
Practicum (from the end of the workshop until as late as 6th October)
After the workshop (and a day of rest on 19th August), there will be an optional practicum period from 20th August until as late as 6th October (as long as you would like to stay during that period, with advance notice). The practicum is a volunteer work period to enable workshop participants to build upon the skills and knowledged acquired during the workshop by doing hands-on work alongside our local team of architects and artisans.
Workshop participants are encouraged to stay for as much of this practicum period as possible in order to deepen your skills and understanding through real-world experience. It is not required to stay for the whole period, but staying as long as you can during the practicum will provide significantly greater experience than just doing the workshop by itself.
During the practicum, we will follow the regular schedule and activities for our Volunteer Work Periods: five and a half days per week of working full time from 9-5, with personal quiet time in the evenings and on Sundays, plus an occasional half-day off for personal time.
If you are interested in possibly staying on after the workshop for part or all of the practicum, please say so in your application, and mention your proposed departure date (you can change it later if you wish, but we need to have an approximate idea for planning purposes).
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.