Review on The Bamboo Construction Workshop @ Auroville

I needed a break from my work. So I was looking out for a get away but something to change my mind and relax and learn something. I found this Bamboo workshop @ Auroville very interesting. It is a 4day course and can be participated by everyone. You basically don't need to be qualified in the same field to undergo this workshop which I found out on the 2nd day of the course. However I loved the whole experience and is just the right thing needed for me at the right time. This post is about the workshop and my experience.

The Bamboo centre in Auroville is located inside the Auroville property but surrounded by many villages. It was different for me to find such entirely different communities live with each other and benefitting each other. One could find lot of designer stores ranging from cloths to handmade products in and around Auroville. It is a calm and quite place. There is no hurry like in the cities or towns. It is so perfect peaceful place for a one to concentrate on life. It seriously reduced my anxiety and pressure which helped me concentrate. The 4 day workshop was amazing. 

The following is my point of view of the workshop, what I did and the details are not authenticated by the Bamboo centre @ Auroville.

Workshop Day - 1

The Workshop started with a power point presentation by Mr.Walter for half a day. The 2nd half of the day was demonstration and what we will be doing the next 3 days. Introduction to tools and how to make joints and how to select a bamboo and its treatment process.

ORNAMENTAL AND BAMBOO FURNITURE WORKSHOP

BAMBOO PLANT HANGER

DIAMOND ROOF SHED

Workshop Day - 2

Because the number of students were more, we were divided in teams. The team I was where part of building a toilet block and the rest for doing a typical bamboo wall panel of 4'X8'. The first thing is we selected the Bamboos and made fish mouth joint and made the division on the frame. Then we split the bamboo and insert it in between the frame to give more stability while weaving the much thinner bamboo later. We started a little bit of weaving and left for the other team to continue.

It was an exhaustive day I should say. The sun was literally sucking our brains and energy out. The only thing that kept us going was the interest and fun we had together. Everything was completely new and nice to do. 

TOILET BLOCK

EQUIPMENTS USED

FISH MOUTH JOINT

SPLIT IN THE BAMBOO

BAMBOO WEAVING

Workshop Day - 3 

The teams interchanged and did continue the wall panel the other team left for us. We did complete the panel almost the same day. It required similar kind of joints and patch work and weaving. 

BAMBOO SPLITTING

PANEL MAKING

SCREWING THE BAMBOO

 

Workshop Day - 4

Finally we had completed the panel. We did do the diamond roofing and tying. We did Bamboo flooring. We did mud wall application and finished with a tea. What an awesome experience it was. 

The workshop was taught to us my Mr.Shiva and Mr.Ilayaraja. I really appreciate the dedication they have for their work and I could learn a lot by simply interacting with them. They are the artisans in the centre.

BAMBOO FLOORING

DIAMOND ROOF BEING LIFTED TO FIT THE FRAME

DIAMOND ROOF TYING

MUD WORK ON WEAVED BAMBOO

BAMBOO TOILET BLOCK

MUD MIXTURE MIXING

How to get to the centre?

Well it is tricky question. It is a long round with many twists and turns. The only way is to ask the villagers around and reach. It is even difficult for the centre to give directions over phone simply because it is too confusing to relate to many small roads that cut across. But there is one landmark. It is called the 'Ganesh Bakery' which is very close to 'Svaram' and 'Bamboo centre'. So you will have to ask for the Ganesh Bakery and the find the Bamboo centre. 

How long is the course?

The Bamboo construction workshop that I attended in the end of July 2015 was only for 4 days, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Whether you are there or not the workshop starts at the right time. 

Who can apply for the workshop?

Anybody can apply for the workshop regardless of your back ground or field of study.

Is it worth the workshop for professional Architects?

I would like to put it in this way. The workshop taught basic things to understand Bamboo construction for which 4 days is well managed. And since anybody of any background can come and learn, it is in simple language. I would not recommend this for professional Architects with more than 3 yrs. of experience instead the best thing for professional Architects is to volunteer and take up a project best suited for the time duration or period and do a research and hands-on construction. The centre is very helpful and will happily welcome your ideas.

Do I need any prep before the workshop?

Absolutely not. It is basically your experience that you will be taking back and is full of hands-on workshop. 

Do you recommend this course?

Of course YES! It is a lovely course and you should definitely attend for its experience.

I hope this review will give enough overview on the workshop. I don't want to explain the joints and treatments in detail here in this post. It will be nice to have a hands-on and experience and learn.