1. Animish B. Thaker
A Graduate in Science (1983) from Bombay
University, and a Diploma in Printing
Technology holder, the author is also the co-
AVANI promoter of Krishna Graphics a Mumbai
based Design & Print Studio. His photo features
on various facets of society have been carried
- using appropriate technologies by Times group of publications as well as
Ananda Bazaar Patrika. He has also taught at
Sir JJ & JIPT, Mumbai. His long asociation with
for creating I.I.A. has inspired him to write this paper on
sustainable architecture.
better livelihood opportunities thakeranimish@gmail.com
India over the coming half century will make a historic
transition from a largely rural and agrarian society to the one
that is predominantly urban yet retaining the fabric embedded
with values nurtured and handed over through 5000 years of
civilisation known to have co-existed with nature.
ABOVE: Staggered Building structure constructed using
locally quarried stone with pitched sloping roof overhang
Here, one sees a complete integration of the three basic
elements of light, air and water into the built environment so
carefully conceptualised on the steep hilly slopes. Avani
teaches, educates and emancipates while disseminating
appropriate technology in these far & distant hilly areas and
by adapting green architecture principles into it’s slowly
expanding built form.
BELOW: 40 mm thick 2’ x 2’ Glass panels are strategically
ABOVE: Avani’s inconspicious entrance gets easily missed embedded into the ceiling to rein in maximum available
while driving through the precipitous slopes and curves on sunlight for the vegetable dye making & fabric dyeing
the picturesque Chakori - Berinag Road areas located below .
The challenge for young architects is to cope up with India’s
urbanisation along with making our rural hinterland livable,
secure and sustainable and provide a vibrant socio-
economic environment that not only nurtures but also
encourages innovation through art and sustainable
architecture.
Captured herein is the pristine essence of such an self-
sustaining endeavour of the humble Jains from Almora in
Uttranchal. Their exemplary vision coupled with over a
decade of sheer hard work in the ardent mountainous
terrains of Pithoragarh district has brought livelihood,
electricity, education and therefore smiles into over 600
homes at 6000 feet above sea level.
2011 JULY 11

2. BELOW: All the activity zones are located in a geodesic
dome shaped structures that act as rain water collectors
which in turn is then stored in to underground tanks
constructed underneath for activities ranging from
ABOVE: Solar Photo Votaic Modules mounted atop the
sloping roofs of its various activity zones generates 3KW
power every day. Enough to light up the centre’s various
commercial activity zones during working hours.
The centre itself generates 9 KW of electricity from dried
pine leaves a.k.a. needles and 3 KW from Solar panels
fixed on roofs of its various activity centres.
At, Avani which is located near Chakoudi, Tehsil Berinag, in
Pithoragarh district of Kumaon, Uttranchal, young women
are not only taught to assemble the solar panels, but also
carry out wave soldering to assemble solar lanterns. Their
effortless handling of drilling, plate bending and metal
cutting machines can easily put a batch of ITI students from
any Tier 2 & 3 cities of India in awe of these young women.
Over 600 families spread across four centres collect
various plant materials & forest produce like Aritha
ABOVE: Dried pine leaves (needles) found in abundance BELOW: A Kindergarten class in progress inside a
on the forest floor and which are rich in eucalyptus oil and geodesic domed activity structure for the children of local
bear a acidic pH nature is the main fodder. BELOW: An women employed at the centre. The naturally amplified
indigenously fabricated steam distiller is used for acoustics far outweigh the slight disadvantage
generating 9 KW of electricity to augment the smooth experienced in designing furnitures & fixtures for an
running of various electrically operated industrial devices. interior with no straigh lines.
12 2011 JULY

3. LEFT: Young women learn to solder & assemble solar RIGHT: Handlooms are used for manufacturing various
lanterns which are then sold to the nearby villagers. textiles like shawls, stoles and carpets bringing gainful
employment into this remote and mountainous region.
CENTRE: Skillfull operation of Re-winding machines by Local women working on traditional waist looms are
women - a very useful trade skill in the electrical industry. trained here to work on frame looms.
(Sapindus Laurifolia), Marigold flower, Madder, Walnut effluents from water used in dye vats also gets treated
fruits, Myrobolan & Eupetorium for use in extraction of before being re-used in the plantation.
vegetable dyes which is manufactured under stringent ISO
standards to meet the export guidelines. Avani has greatly contributed in reviving the weaving skills
of the locals and helped establish a sustainable livelihood
The centre’s spinning, weaving, dyeing & stitching centre base.
engages over 100 women from the surrounding villages to
make much sought after shawls, stoles, jackets, durries, A natural synergy therefore co-exists between the use of
cushion covers and even carpets for the principal cities of appropriate technoloy and the means of livelihood which
India. has fueled more income leading to easier acceptance to
such eco-friendly technologies.
The finished product is hand spun, hand woven, naturally
dyed, made by local artisans and most importantly made Here lies an example of integrated yet open architecture of
out of locally available raw materials using electricity identifying, creating and then nurturing a village based
produced from non-conventional bio-fuels. Integration can enterprise, supported with elements of vernacular
never be better defined than this. architecture that has now emerged as a self sustainable
entity and has helped slowdown the migration of the hill
Although located in a high rainfall area, due to lack of people to the plains in search of better living standards.
catchment areas, the centre has evolved it’s indigenous
rain water harvesting system and annually collects over 3
lakh litres of roof run-off rain water and is stored in tanks Pictures By Author
which are located below their various activity buildings. The
Assembly of Solar panels being carried out in the open air workshop using appropriate technology
2011 JULY 13