PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Located in the midst of the rural setting the construction of this particular house involves locally available materials, earth and bamboo. Traditional means of construction were adapted though improved with modern knowledge thus setting an example of how local skills can be used and therefore showing a promising future for the rural region. Being part of the extension project of the Agha-khan awarded, Meti-school, Rudropur, Bangladesh this too was hand-built. The German-Austrian-Bangladeshi team includes local laborers, students from BRAC University and University of LINZ, Germany and Architect Anna Heringer as the principle architect. The intention was to create an inter-cultural exchange. The buildings were built by hand by local laborers and trainees from the organization under the leadership of the German-Austrian-Bangladeshi architect team and were trained on-site during the building process. The ground floor is made of earth using a technique similar to cob-walling. Each of the rooms has their own opening with ventilator with the respect of climate. A nice seating place on the first floor with beautiful bamboo and wooden work which enhance our local craftsmanship. The light upper storey, made of a bamboo framework, provides one large rooms with expansive views. The boundaries between indoors and outdoors are fluid. The different kinds of spaces and uses and use of alternative energy provided reflect the approach to teaching and learning at the electrical Training Institute” (DESI), which aims to promote individual abilities and interests taking into account the different learning speeds of the trainees. The design, its construction and the involvement of the building’s users in all aspects of the building process are an example of how architecture can provide a lasting contribution to local communities in developing areas. The use of locally available building materials and techniques contrasts strongly with the prevailing trend to more expensive and energy-intensive construction methods using concrete and masonry that is evident in the region as it is in many other parts of the world. The local earthen construction techniques were improved in terms of structural stability and protection against rain and rising damp. Cows were used to mix the earth, water and rice-straw mixture. All other work was undertaken by hand with out the need for technical machinery. Both the construction and the purpose of the building intend to strengthen the infrastructure of this rural region in the most densely populated country of the world.
