Down to Earth education?

theborg

Hello, I had no idea where to put this but as Im studying yoga in Kerala at the moment I thought I'd put it in here...

Basically I'm looking for some kind eco-architecture, sustainable permaculture type project and course anywhere in India and wondering if anyones been to one or knows of any where I can stay and learn trades, starting the beginning of next year some time?

Ive been looking around the internet but havent had much luck, so any vague ideas would be much appreciated, cheers!

iwanttogoback

check out the open architecture network perhaps?

let us know.

Sama

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My India, 2005-2008

ananda2193

Isn't that what they do in Auroville?

Here's also a link that might be of some help,

http://directory.ic.org/records/?act...untry%5D=India

livin-in-india

agree that auroville is the best place. they've developed some create technologies there for such things.

also, i believe some foreigners intern with the following architect in bangalore:
Chitra Vishwanath
chitravishwanath AT gmail

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India is the great Yin-Yang. Amazing lightness, equally amazing darkness. Wrapped up to make one complete whole.

federica

If you are interested in mud architecture, you can take a course with Satprem Mani in Auroville. He is brilliant in this field.

Are you an architect/builder/mason by profession?

nyraghu

Please classify this as a "vague idea," since neither ecology nor architecture is my subject, and I know nought of permaculture, sustainable or otherwise. But I went to school for a couple of years in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and remember the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology there. The Centre offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in architecture, which, given the name of the institution, may involve something of ecology as well. These are traditional academic programmes lasting a few years. YMMV. In any case, people there may be able to advise you better.

Raghu.

theborg

cheers for moving the thread, I had no idea where to put it...

Yeh I have looked around the Auroville website a few times, I'm sure the courses are what I'm looking for but theres something about the city that doesnt seem quite right, as one person I know who visisted commented 'theres just a bunch of Indians working for white people', I could also really do finding a place that can help me in getting another certificate too for a student visa, not sure if they can do that in Auroville.

And no I'm not in the profession, although I am no stranger to construction and design, so am looking to further this knowledge while travelling, thank you for the suggestions but I'm looking for something that doesn't envolve getting tied down to for years in University of something that will cost a fortune...

Im looking for something similar to this project in Thailand but in India ofcourse http://www.panyaproject.org/

Thank you again for the suggestions, Im being quite picky about this I know, anymore ideas are most welcome

machadinha

I think these guys are still busy in India among other places: http://www.architectureforhumanity.or g/

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theborg

Ive checked out some WWOOF centres in India and they look promising like this one in Karnataka ecovillage-asia.org

and http://www.rosekanda.info/ but is abit further away from where I am, hands on and not expensive (preferably free) is what Im looking for...

iwanttogoback

they are behind the open architecture network i mentioned above.

theborg

cheers iwanttogoback, ive had a quick look but it seems that they are just looking for people to help them design not offering a project or course thst i can work on...

federica

There's some truth in it, but Auroville is not only like that. It's just a place that is "not real India", like so many other places in India It's a kind of Utopia with all it's advantages and disadvantages.

Another option: check this website: http://www.besharp.org/ I took part in this program. You'll find lots of organizations/architects working in this field.

The problem is always as long as you don't join an academic program, I have no idea whether you can apply for a student visa...

If you are interested in bamboo architecture, I might have another contact for you.

theborg

Thank you frederica, had a look around the site but seemed as though the projects were looking for people with abit more experience...

The student visa isnt essential but would be handy, and yeh bamboo sounds brilliant, is this contact in India?

livin-in-india

also interested in bamboo... where is it? contact info?