The use of building materials such as cement and steel create a massive carbon footprint, and the industry overall is responsible for almost 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions, mainly in terms of production and transport.
Now, two architects in India think they might have a new, perhaps counter-intuitive solution to sustainable construction: building with mud.
※Not many architects think that climate change is something that they need to think about, but?we＊re trying to change that,§ says Rosie Paul, co-founder of Bangalore-based architecture firm Masons Ink.?
※For us, it＊s obvious that climate change directly affects the shelter that you＊re going to live in, and?you need to start building resilient structures.§
Ms. Paul and her best friend of sixteen years, Sridevi Changali, are focused on preserving India＊s ancient heritage of mud construction by emphasizing the material＊s?sustainable properties.
Muddy the waters
The magic of mud? Its breathable nature allows moisture into the home,?improving indoor air quality and avoiding the buildup of damp and mould?which cement traps and incubates.
Mud walls have a high thermal mass which means they slowly absorb heat from solar radiation and store it, releasing it at night in cooler temperatures. This reduces the need for air conditioning units, which consume large amounts of electricity and contain refrigerants that are potent greenhouse gas emissions.?
As mud is readily available, it removes much of the transportation cost and footprint. Ms.Changali notes, ※the manufacturing and the processing is done by local communities, so?you＊re giving back to local livelihoods?rather than large manufacturing plants and large companies.§
Could mud be the solution? Architects like Paul and Changali are reviving raw-earth construction to build sustainable structures that can withstand extreme weather events such as flash floods and intense heat.
Step up for women
At the same time, they＊re championing more women to complete their studies in architecture and training more women in on-site skills, such as stone masonry.
※I think the minute you start talking about issues related to gender, it automatically becomes like a ＆you versus me＊ thing,§ Paul says. ※Which it really isn＊t. We＊re just saying that there are issues that we＊re feeling in the profession, and we need support to change that.§?
※Let＊s employ more women in our architecture firms. Let＊s have more women on construction sites. Let＊s look at their security aspects,§ she says.
※The idea is to question the obstacles and to get more people to fight those with us.§
Learn More:
?
