Indi Architecture

17/03/2024

Snow fall in Spiti was seeming elusive this winter. The locals were left wondering if it would come at all. At long last it arrived and now the valley is blanketed in snow and silence. With just 3 weeks left until we head up to begin our construction for the year, we are bracing ourselves for a cold start to 2024!
Thankfully our upcoming Lime Plasters Workshop in Rajasthan will give us a chance to warm our bones in the Rajasthani sun before we layer up and head up in the mountains.
We have two spaces left in our workshop and our intern positions are yet to be filled for Spiti this year.
Send us a DM for more details on either.

16/03/2024

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the long list of different names for lime? Chuna, Kali, Lime, Quick Lime, Pure Lime, Hot Lime, Fat Lime, Air Lime, Hydraulic Lime, Hydrated Lime, NHL??? Do you know the difference between all of them? Would you like to ? Join us for our upcoming Lime Plaster workshop to unravel the mystery surrounding this wonderful material. Send us a DM for more details.

08/03/2024

Would you like to learn sustainable architecture from people who were practicing it long before the term was created? Would you like to contribute to the promotion and conservation of vernacular architecture & conscious tourism development? What about gaining practical on site experience working with natural materials along side elder Master Craftsmen and Women? We are offering two intern positions for architectural or engineer interns and a videography or digital content creator.
Please DM or comment below for more details.

08/03/2024

This womans day, we are celebrating women in architecture and natural building. Our upcoming Rajasthani Lime Plaster workshop so far has nine women signed up to just 1 man. A sign of change in the winds... We still have a few spaces left. Sign up before it sells out.

05/03/2024

Would you like to be able to create your own natural, breathable and beautiful lime plasters? Join us for our upcoming Rajasthani Lime Plaster Workshop in Madawa - Rajasthan. Learn the trade secrets of how to create stunning, timeless architecture that will outlive us all.
Spaces filling fast. Sign up soon to avoid missing out.
For more details visit https://www.indiarchitecture.com/workshop/rajasthani-lime-plaster-workshop

01/03/2024

A sneak peek of our recently completed Rajasthani Lime Plaster Workshop for 41 architecture students from the Balwant Sheth School of Architecture. This group of engaged 1st yr students blew us away with their intelligent questions showing a level of analysis often not seen in graduates. Over three intense days they learned all about Thappi,Lohi and Araish whilst contributing to the restoration of a humble Haveli in need of some TLC.
We still have a few spaces left for our upcoming workshop in Mandawa. Sign up before it fills up.

24/02/2024

A journey to Sheakawati is a journey back to a time when fine craftsmanship once flourished. Colouful frescoes compete with ornate wooden carving to steal ones attention. When you cross grand entryways, secluded courtyards are revealed. If you are lucky enough to be offered a personal tour, you might be learn of the hidden passageways and secret rooms used to store the riches of the wealthy merchant families who created these stunning, opulent homes. Join us in Shekawati to learn the ancient art of Rajasthani lime plasters in their heartland. For more details see https://www.indiarchitecture.com/workshop/rajasthani-lime-plaster-workshop

19/02/2024

The Mauryan Polish achieved on the walls, floors and ceilings of the rock cut Barabar Caves in India is an example of the ancient architectural wisdom of generations past now lost to modern architecture. Even with all of our supposed technological advancement experts are left wondering how this high quality, mirror like polish was achieved back in the 3rd century BCE during the reign of Ashoka.

This technique might be lost to us, but India is home to many others that continue in an unbroken lineage of Master Craftsmen and Women. If you would like to learn the ancient art of lime plasters from one of them join us for our upcoming Rajasthani Lime Plaster workshop in Rajasthan.

For more details visit https://www.indiarchitecture.com/workshop/rajasthani-lime-plaster-workshop

To learn more about the mysterious Mauryan Polish see our latest bog https://www.indiarchitecture.com/ancient-vernacular-atchitecture-wisdom-mauryan-polish

17/02/2024

Jharkhand is home to an extraordinary mural art tradition practiced by many of the tribal communities that make the lush jungle state home. Most of the adivasis of Jharkhand practice animism. Not surprisingly animal motifs and plants feature prominently in their art. The Sohrai women featured here paint their homes during the Sohrai harvest festival. A special celebration that occurs in the winter. In the lead up to it the women spend weeks re-plastering their homes and adorning them with their striking murals.
Would you like to learn all about natural pigments and earthen plasters from these talented ladies? Get in touch with us to learn about our range of Mural Art Workshops.
https://www.indiarchitecture.com/contact

14/02/2024

Are you looking to increase your knowledge of sustainable architecture? Would you like practical hands on experience working with lime to create fine, hand crafted interior finishes? Join us in Shekawati to learn the art of Rajasthani Lime Plasters. You will learn Thappi, Lohi and Araish plasters directly from a highly skilled Master Craftsman.

For more details visit

https://www.indiarchitecture.com/workshop/rajasthani-lime-plaster-workshop

06/02/2024

Join us in Shekawati, Rajasthan to learn the ancient wisdom of lime plastering in it's homeland. Shekawati is famous for ornate frescoes that grace the walls of grand Haveli's. Travel to this culturally vibrant region, immerse yourself in living heritage, learn all about Rajasthani lime plasters whilst contributing to the restoration of a humble haveli.

To find out more and sign up head to

indiarchitecture.com/workshop/rajasthani-lime-plaster-workshop

01/02/2024

A journey through rural Bihar & Jharkhand reveals pockets of remnant earthen architecture. Kept alive by the loving hands of the women within their community. The ornamentation of these homes reflects the creative talents of the women of the house. Local soils are harvested from surrounding villages, processed and applied to the walls. The artwork beautifies their living spaces whilst also acting as a sacrificial layer of plaster.

14/12/2023

Located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Kinnaur is surrounded by verdant green forests. The homes reflect the historic availability of abundant timber resources. The warmth they offer experienced both in thermal comfort and visual pleasure. Pockets of this stunning architecture await the curious explorer.

06/11/2023

Enjoy this snapshot of structural elements from the architecture of Nako village in comparison with the same elements found in the higher villages of the Spiti Valley.
Architecture at the crossroads of material availability and cultural creativity.

03/11/2023

Located four hours away from Kaza in the lower Spiti Valley the People of Nako are culturally and linguistically similar to those living higher up in the valley. The architecture in the two distinct regions demonstrates cultural creativity in using locally available resources to create stunning all natural homes.
Sustainable architecture before the term was even coined.

14/10/2023

Nako is a small village perched high in the Himalayas at an elevation of 3635m. Blessed with an abundance of high quality stone scattered across the landscape, The locals have been building beautiful stone homes for over a thousand years. Here is a glimpse at some of the creative ways in which they ornament them.

07/09/2023

In our efforts to conserve the wisdom of generations of Master craftsmen, we intentionally seek out the oldest artisans we can find. These men and women are the living repositries of knowledge gained through centuries of experimentation and adaptation. We are humbled daily by the wisdom they so generously share.
The median age of our Master Artisans is 64 years.
Starring Cherring Dorje of Chicham village, our rammed earth expert 53 yrs. Bhim Bahadur ji hailing from Nepal our stone masonry Master 69 yrs, Sunder Lal ji from Sangla Village gifted in wood carving 68yrs, Lobzang ji Cherring Dorje’s older brother, an all rounder highly skilled with carpentry and earthen construction 58 yrs, Sonam Cherring of Pangmo Village our Head mistry who makes ramming earth seem like a dance even at 62 yrs finally our oldest and wisest Master craftsmen is Lakpachatchering our head carpenter whose hand crafted details are transforming our woodwork 73yrs young.
Sadly, the one thing we are missing on site are apprentices to learn from them and carry their work forward.

05/09/2023

Join us in Spiti to learn how to craft durable, washable and beautiful earthen floors. Master Artisan Ananth Nagarajan is joining us from the south to modernise the vernacular flooring traditions in Spiti.
Workshop is being conducted on our live heritage reconstruction site.
We have a whole range of highly experienced Master Artisans on site. This workshop is a unique opportunity to see them in action.

20/08/2023

Stage 2 Kwang Project
After finalising our site the first stage was to document the building in its current state and to invite respected elder Master Artisans to the site to share their opinions on the way forward.
We also invited a group of volunteer architects and videographers to record the details of the site along with a range of interviews with the Artisans.

Whilst taking site measurements it became evident just how humble the home really was. On the first floor 12in walls were found where 18in are the norm.
This initiated an intriguing conversation with our Master Artisans who shared stories of the simplicity of life previously in Spiti. We were told that men used to work for 3 meals a day, such was the scarcity and frugality of the valley.
Similarly no tapes or measures existed, artisans instead used their bodies to measure.

There are no right angles in this home!

In the end it was decided to remove the rammed earth walls of the first floor in order to remove the 5ft high smokey and dilapidated ceiling of the ground floor. In doing so we would raise the ceiling height by two rammed earth lifts (2 ft) to meet modern day levels of comfort.
It was determined that whilst some of the rammed earth was in poor condition the stone masonry was sound.
What really happened once the deconstruction began will be revealed in our next post...

16/08/2023

This is how we practice what we Preach and Teach.

"Conserving Culture Through Architecture".

Introducing our current project in the Spiti Valley...

What started out as a restoration & adaptive reuse project has evolved with each day. (More on that though in our following posts)

Thanpa ji's ancestral home whilst very humble was chosen as the property for us based on the stunning jaw dropping views it enjoys. As well as for the quiet location at the end of the quaint village and most importantly for the intelligent bio-climatic design. Demonstrating a depth of site understanding most often void in modern architecture.

12/08/2023

One amazing location - Two highly specialised natural building workshops.

Join us in the Spiti Valley in September to learn natural building directly from Master Artisans.

Rajasthani Lime Water Tank Construction & Lime Plasters & Natural Earthen Floors. Combine your love for travel with your love for learning!

30/07/2023

We are offering a unique chance to join us on our on our own live worksite showcasing the vernacular architectural traditions of Spiti valley. This September we are hosting a Rajasthani Lime water tank workshop in Kwang Village Spiti Valley. Master Artisans will be joining us from Rajasthan to teach their time honoured tradition of pure, natural water storage. Through out the workshop you will learn how to construct a water tank from beginning to end. Including foundations, preparing your base for the floor, brick masonry with lime mortar, Thappi base plaster, Lohi and Araish finish plasters and natural herbal admixtures.
Limited spaces available so sign up without delay.
More details www.indiarchitecture.com/workshop/rajasthani-lime-water-tank-plasters-workshop-spiti-valley-tour

25/07/2023

16/07/2023

Rammed earth is like the poster child for natural buildings. It has a modern, sophisticated appearance, appealing even to those with no interest in earthen construction.
Rammed Earth has been around for millennia.The Potala Palace in Tibet, Basgo Monastery in Ladakh, Thousands of Kasbah's in Morocco, The Great Wall of China. The list goes on.
Traditional rammed earth is however quite different from its modern counterpart. Whilst modern rammed earth prefers fine aggregates, traditional rammed earth requires much larger ones. Tapered walls have been favoured historically whilst straight are preferred for the modern. Lighter ramming is often achieved in traditional system by tamping the soil with ones feet and perhaps finishing with a light wooden rammer. Whilst modern construction systems employ pneumatic rammers to achieve maximum compaction.
Traditional rammed earth has stood the test of time. In some parts of the world Master Artisans still practicing it have immense wisdom to share.
We'll be sharing more on that in our upcoming series of posts on traditional rammed earth from across the globe.

06/07/2023

Stone Masonry is an art form. Humble rocks come alive in the hands of skilled masons, resulting in stunning walls that bear the unique signature and creative flair of each Master Artisan.

Each and every stone mason has their own characteristic style. These walls tell the story of the artistic talent of the skilled hands that whiled away for hours to bring them to life.

Here is a glimpse of walls from across the globe....
Do you have some beautiful stone masonry to share too?

04/07/2023

Earthen floors are possibly one of the most sustainable flooring options available. When materials are sourced onsite these floors have a very low embodied energy with no long transport or industrial processing. The biggest energy consumed in the production is that of the humans who lay them.
The experience of living on an earthen floor is grounding and naturally familiar. Softer underfoot than cement floors and tiles.
Earthen floors also act as thermal mass. Helping to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Earthen floors have been in use as long as humans have been making homes. In modern times however adaptations have been made to make them more durable, low maintenance and washable.
If you would like to learn how to create an all natural earthen floor for your home, join us for our upcoming workshop in the Spiti Valley. Taught by Master Artisan Ananth Nagarajan. August 12th & 13th.
For more details visit indiarchitecture.com/workshops

Image Credits:
Image 3 www.earthentouchbuilders.com
Image 4 www.fermata.ca
Image 5 & 6 www.quintakania.com

02/07/2023

Do you love the timeless elegance and durability of Terrazzo flooring? Would you love to include it in your natural home, yet the use of cement or resins for the base puts you off?
Do you know that Terrazzo can be achieved with Lime?

Join us this August in the Spiti Valley to learn the technique from International Master Artisan Oscar Urruella Sacristán. Over four days he will be teaching various continuous lime flooring techniques. Terrazzo is one.

To learn more visit indiarchitecture.com/workshop/continuous-lime-flooring-workshop-spanish-trabadillo

28/06/2023

Spiti Valley is the place we call home. We thought it might be time to share what drew us this corner of the earth.

But where on earth is that I hear you ask? High in the Himalaya's in the north of India.

Home to an ethnically Tibetan, Buddhist community. Living lightly on the landscape, humble yet masters of sustainable living
From them we all have so much to learn.

This year for the first time we are offering our range of workshops amidst these mighty mountains, come and join us and experience for yourself the magic of this landscape and the wisdom of her people.

To learn more about our workshops visit indiarchitecture.com/workshops

Image Credit: Image 1 - Nature Conservation Foundation. Image 2 - Pankaj Trivedi

26/06/2023

Scagliola is a traditional European plastering technique for creating faux marble finishes on columns, walls & floors in the homes of the elite. In the hands of contemporary Master Artisan Oscar Urruela Sacristán the technique is being used to create stunning sculptural art pieces that blur the lines between art and architecture. Resulting in one of a kind sinks, bath tubs, vases and of course wall and floor finishes.
Join us in Spiti Valley for his series of three workshops exploring traditional artisanal plastering practices with contemporary design aesthetics.
Scagliola July 27th - 31st
Spanish Trabadillo - Gypsum & Lime Palsters August 2nd - 5th
Spanish Trabadillo - Continuous Lime Flooring August 8th - 11th

20/06/2023

Imagine a flooring that remains cool in hot weather and warm in cold. Handcrafted and truly unique, a flooring that makes a statement all of its own.
Join us in Spiti in August to learn the art of Spanish Trabadillo Contiuos Lime Flooring.
Taught by Spanish Master Artisan Oscar Urruella Sacristán. Over four days Oscar will share his years of experience adapting local materials with ancient wisdom to create one of a kind all natural modern finishes.
August 8th - 11th Kwang Village Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh.

For more details and to sign up visit https://www.indiarchitecture.com/event/lime-flooring-workshop/