Organic Research & Training Centre is an institution for research and dissemination of sustainable methods of farming, in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe, Karnataka.
In keeping with the ethos of the Centre, our building has incorporated the use of sustainable building materials and techniques for construction for a climatically appropriate building with the additional challenge of an extremely tight budget.
The structure is a series of well-ventilated spaces with verandahs around an internal courtyard with lawns. An amphitheater for large events surrounded by groves of coconut trees is situated towards the road. The generous room heights allow for abundant natural light & ventilation.
Mud bricks, made from local soil, minimize environmental impact and provide thermal insulation, maintaining a comfortable interior climate year-round. The load bearing system using stabilized brick and filler slab, help reduce the amount of cement and steel used; and also proved to be cost effective.
The rhythmic sloping roof forms gives a buoyant feeling and responds to the region’s heavy rainfall; it also enables efficient water management and harvesting.
This building demonstrates that it is possible to build low-cost buildings without compromising on spatial quality, sustainability and climatically appropriate interior spaces while providing spaces for the local community to come together.
