Roofing technologies in Auroville

Introduction

The following is a documentation of varied roofing techniques that are practiced in Auroville.
As there are a number of architects from different parts of the world practicing architecture in Auroville the one line in common that they all follow is so as to how things can be done in different ways. how to make a structure lighter ? how a structure could be more efficient in terms of the material we choose to build it with and its economy. Having a context like Auroville to start from in itself houses a land of opportunities. To start with , the soil , the climate and the local artisans are some of the factors. You will find here compilation of information over the topic with a wide variety of technique and skill .

The documentation comprises of pictures of roofing details and drawings speaking about its related technique.
This study into four divisions in order to follow each technique relatively .
Materials were used in different methods to which a short brief of material usage is recorded to every covered technique .

Flat roofs

The flat roof that we most commonly know and perhaps use was found to be very differently used in ways that make it lighter, stronger and more durable.

The first thing that we could probably observe in a flat slab is its extensive use in concrete and steel that naturally results in an increase in the cost of the structure. Second is as a result of all its material being steel and concrete how heavy can the structure get ? And lastly how much of energy does it consume during the day considering how hot can concrete and steel get ?

The following techniques shows us how flat roof’s can be much lighter and at the same time more efficient and durable by using the same materials in a different way.

The Filler Slab technique for example was one such technique that we had come across in which was found to be experimented in different ways. The idea is that a filler is used to reduce the load of concrete that is actually used in the slab. Materials such as Hollow Terra Cotta blocks to inverted pots are used.

1. Roofing with pre-cast ‘t’ beams and tiles

2. Roofing with traditional madras roofing technique

3. Roofing with reinforced concrete

4. Roofing with terra cotta hollow blocks and pre-cast reinforced concrete beams

5. Roofing with inverted terra cotta pot

6. Roofing with kerala hourdi terra cotta blocks

Pitched roofing

The different ways in which a pitch can be achieved considering what material is being used plays an important role in how efficient the building can actually be. Few of the constraints that a pitch roof is normally put to test is its span which naturally tends to test the strength of the material which is used to achieve the pitch. Reinforced concrete rafters and wood are few of the materials that have been innovatively used in our study. The frame from which the pitch is made is finished with materials from terra cotta tiles to thatch. Thatch is used in different ways as it proved to be at times in-efficient to the climatic and termite conditions. in some areas thatch was found merely to be palm leaves and else where was reinforced with straw bamboo strips and palm leaves. This was to provide a more cooler effect in its enclosures.

1. Roofing with pre-cast reinforced concrete rafters and terra cotta tiles

2. Composite roofing with wooden rafters and pre-cast reinforced concrete rafters

3. Roofing with wooden rafters and terra cotta tiles

4. Roofing with steel

5. Roofing with bamboo and thatch

6. Roofing with wooden rafters and thatch

7. Roofing with wooden rafters, thatch and bamboo mat

8. Roofing with wooden rafters and aluminum clad sheet

9. Composite roofing with wooden rafters , thatch and aluminum clad sheet

10.Roofing with ferro cement

Domed and Vaulted roofing

Domes and vaulted structures were constructed with materials such as bricks, steel and a locally termed material called “ guna tubes “. This is conical in shape made of terra cotta and is used to construct small span vaults. Another local term that we would come across is “ aachikal “ which is the local term of a small brick, which is used also in constructing vaults.

1. Composite roofing with brick domes and brick vaults

2. Vaulted roofing with guna tubes and “ aachikal ”

3. Vaulted roofing with steel

4. Vaulted roofing with “ aachikal and guna tubes ”

Miscellaneous

This category is a compilation of roofs that have a random structural frame work of its overall form. The material found that were extensively used under this subject was split bamboo ( bamboo cut in half longitudinally ) and ferro cement.

1. Roofing with ferro cement and reinforced concrete beams

2. Roofing with ferro cement

3. Roofing with bamboo reinforced concrete

4. Roofing with bamboo and fabric cement mix

5. Roofing with bamboo and fabric

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