Construction Structure
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The term Housing was discussed in some of our recent articles and we referred there to the Cultural Model, in which the human effort is actively promoted, -the traditional one as well as the socalled traditional one.
Although it was not possible to completely avoid the conflict between religion and science, still we were able to describe in one go a new cultural formula
The Inter-dependencies between the individual areas can be epoch-making, for example currently the economy. Is an individual area so important, it can be compared with a cold star in the astronomical terminology. In our example this would mean that the economy does continue to play its role but not in its current ly known form.
The history of science amply proves that followers of a certain surviving form or method cannot be easily convinced through arguments. As the Nobel-prize winning scientist Max-Planck once said, the next generations will be "normally" working with things that today appear to be cimpossible or non-sensical. This should mean that it takes only one generation to make unthinkable quite normal.
The technology is extremely dependent upon the economy and therefore economic considerations appear always to play a role, which however is only short-term and short-sighted and actually based upon a postponement of the problems and actually assumes the problems of Resource-wastage, environmental pollution and destruction of cultural values, which however also requires the ability to recognize these losses. One cannot and does not want to recognize something which one cannot see!
A holistic way of looking at things is the necessity here. A view of the situation in totality, which is hardly possible in the current era of times pressures, which prevent reflection on the real causes and contemplative view of things.
Read the article in print in Techno Biz Nov 2009 issue!
Labels: Architecture
posted @ 10:50 AM,
, links to this post
Earth Architecture
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Currently it is estimated that one half of the world’s population—approximately three billion people on six continents—lives or works in buildings constructed of earth. And while the vast legacy of traditional and vernacular earthen construction has been widely discussed, little attention has been paid to the contemporary tradition of earth architecture. Author Ronald Rael, founder of Eartharchitecture.org provides a history of building with earth in the modern era, focusing particularly on projects constructed in the last few decades that use rammed earth, mud brick, compressed earth, cob, and several other interesting techniques. EARTH ARCHITECTURE presents a selection of more than 40 projects that exemplify new, creative uses of the oldest building material on the planet. {Via }
Labels: Earth Architecture
posted @ 3:09 PM,
, links to this post
Dr. Norbert Pintsch on Mud Architecture in Pakistan
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Suzanna Koster, Correspondent Radio Netherlands, interviews Dr. Norbert Pintsch on Mud Architecture. Here are the excerpts from the Interview:
1. What are the trends in mud architecture?
Like all other countries, mud architecture is fading slowly in the urban areas. The number of samples of traditional mud houses in rural areas is also decreasing. Reason: Village people in Pakistan are of the opinion that mud architecture belongs to the past is a sign of poverty.
2. Why would someone choose for a mud house over a house of bricks?
Modern architects advise their clients to save energy by the use of mud and adjust homes to the extreme climate. A good house should be comfortable for the inhabitants and should not be built for the air conditions.
3. What is the status of mud houses in Pakistan, generally?
Like in central Europe, mud was a sign of poverty after World War II. Benefits of mud as a construction material were lost for a long time. Similarly, may be the next generation will adopt the idea of biologic building and two generations later, maybe, Zero-Energy-Houses. It will take a long time before a general mind set is changed.
4. Is the mud house an 'endangered species' because of availability of other types of housing?
History has it that Mud Housing in the Sub-Continent is well known and continuously in practice since last 5000 years. Also mud was used in all the traditional culture worldwide. Things started changing with the start of extensive industrialization and then western influence, commerce and consumption prevailed upon everywhere.
5. How is mud housing being promoted in Pakistan?
Like Photo Voltaic and Renewable Energy it is more entertainment than realization.
6. What are your own experiences with mud housing?
In Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka (aka Thatta Kedona) - a village in Southern Punjab - the local NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama has encouraged the farmers since 2000 by awards for best Mud House and best (traditional) detail in addition to the best designed brick houses, too.
The NGO has tested different wall systems (brick-air-brick, passive solar architecture and style for 5000 years old Indus Civilization, Hole-bricks, complete bricks, mud and bricks, bricks and thermo-insulation) and shown the results and the benefits of the mud material.
7. In which province is mud housing most important, if any?
In general, Mud housing is important in rural areas (Punjab desserts and lowlands in the Province of Sindh). The modern influences have disturbed the holistic system (meaning that brick houses needs technical infrastructure). This is the reason for our Mud Housing Project and the idea to bring together Mud and Appropriate Technology.
8. Does the architecture of mud houses change per area?
Design of roofs must be adjusted to rainfall. The traditional style is more and more lost, but if we use the chance to make experiments (mud in combination with industrial material) it will be a challenge.
9. Is there a typical Pakistani mud house or would they be the same as in surrounding countries?
We think, that the use of mud for housing is depends upon the local climate, which means, wherever you have arid climate, results are similar: thick walls and flat roofs.
10. I heard of an architect called Asim who promoted mud housing in Balochistan, is there any way to reach him for an update on that province?
Thanks for the information, but we don’t know him.
(We are putting the last question in a hope that some who knows Asim might read and reach you).
Labels: Mud Architecture, Pakistan, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch
posted @ 3:43 AM,
, links to this post
Mud or concrete?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
posted @ 2:47 PM,
, links to this post
Bâtir en Terre
Friday, November 20, 2009
The French language book, Bâtir en Terre, by Romain Anger and Laetitia Fontaine was published as part of the exhibition Ma Terre Première Pour Construire Demain(Earth Today for Construction Tomorrow). The book presents the unique heritage of earth construction, from the mythical Shibam in Yemen The "Manhattan of the desert to the strange group of Hakka houses in China. The book includes projects from Europe and documents the achievements of contemporary architects, fascinated by the qualities of the material. The book offers simple and fun experiments to understand physio-chemical properties of earth from which could arise ways to develop alternatives to industrial materials like cement. [ Preview the book here ]
Labels: Books
posted @ 3:18 PM,
, links to this post
Contacts Pakistan Mud Village Project
Monitoring: SPARC / SES, Anees Yaqub, 042-3631 43 83
summit@brain.net.pk
IPC / SPARC, Norbert Pintsch, 0300-8461 226
pdp33@hotmail.com
Profile / IPC, Ghayyoor Obaid, 0333-452 4 222
ghayyoor@hotmail.com
SPARC / C and I, SAJ Shirazi, 0301-8457605
sajshirazi@gmail.com
Tikedar: Muhammad Iqbal, Harappa, 0300-69 20 826
qamarzaman23@hotmail.com
Appropropriate Technology: Farooq Achmed / AFA (NGO)-TTTC, 0300-41 74 360
farooqrai@hotmail.com
Plot: PeerzadaGroup / RPT, Faizaan Peerzada, 0300-842 40 10
faizaan.peerzada@peergroup.com.pk
COMSATS Lahore, Prof Dr Rafq Malik, Chairman Faculty of Architecture, 0342-416 95 89
drrafiqmalik@ciitlahore.edu.pk
Prof Shahnawaz Zaidi, 0321-94 31 994
shahnawazz@hotmail.com
Prof Ehtesham Hussain, 0300-98 19 149
ehtesham_hussain@comsats.edu.pk
Punjab University, Lahore, Prof Dr Anis A. Siddiqi, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Design, 0321-840 5273
anissiddiq2001@yahoo.com
anis@cad.pu.edu.pk
COMSATS, Abbottabad, Prof Dr Amir H. Malik, 0300-58 11 639
ahmalik@ciit.net.pk
Labels: Contacts
posted @ 1:11 PM,
, links to this post
Hughes Net Experience
Those who have already experienced satellite internet have the idea how fast is satellite internet. Those who are still thinking to switch must have a look at HughesNet Satellite Internet Service - America's top satellite Internet service provider - to learn about what they are offering and how.
The importance of broadband in this day and age cannot be over empathized. Broadband has become a need for anyone working with computers for work or pleasure. Hughes.net is playing important role in providing Satellite Internet anywhere in America including rural America. What is more, the price is affordable.
Hughes satellite offers more choices to meet your broadband needs. HughesNet Satellite Internet service connects at broadband speeds up to 50x faster than dial-up. It's available anywhere in the contiguous U.S. and with lease options, free standard installation, and a $100 mail-in rebate, getting started is easy and affordable. HughesNet lets you connect your computer to the Internet whether you are running a Windows or Macintosh operating system.
Have a look and see what they are offering and how. Better still order HughesNet online now and avail the discounts they are offering to have enriching Hughesnet satellite internet experience. Call at 1-877-803-9465 and leave rest to them.
posted @ 9:07 AM,
, links to this post
