Bamboo Arc hitecture
Sandeep Virmani and Vivek Rawal
T
hi s is the story of two settlements - Orlaha (Triben iga nj
demonstrate and pilot the rehabilitation policy for the government
block) and Puraini (Birpur block) of Supau l district, Bihar. In
of Bihar which has subsequently launched a rehabilitation
these vill age hamlets . people reconstructed 45 an d 89
houses respectively. after the 2008 Kosi floods. They worked eVith
Owner Driven Reconstruction (ODR) Collaborative - a (o lleni' e of professional
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March 20 12ARCHITECTURE ... OE5IGtl
organisations -
to
deve lop
programme to rebu ild 100.000 houses in Saharsa. Supaul and Madhepura districts of Kosi region. Kosi flows through the flat plains of north Bihar dividing itself
in sm al l streams. nourishing the soil and commu nities before
year-old path. And this revisit was devastating with a damage to 1,5 0,000 houses. It was unprecedented. But it was also followed with unparalleled efforts of reconstruction to ensure dignity of human life. Rich fel-ti 'l e lands of north Bihar known allover the country for its labour (skilled and unskilled) had enough building materials. skills, crafts , knowledge and wisdom to provide a strong foundation for a more resilient future. It is with this perspective to build upon local traditions, ODR Collaborative started its work with communities in Orlaha and Puraini. Goddess Ganga, Sea and the Bamboo: As the enraged Kosi floods overtopped its banks, destroyed and carried everything in its path dovvn to the Ganges and into the sea, the sea is pleased. He asks, "You bring me rich gifts from your land, but why don't you ever bring me the bamboo?" Ganga replies, "All those who rigidly try to obstruct my angry waters must be destroyed. Only the bamboo bends low and touches my feet, quelling my anger. So I spare him. " This story was told to us by a Dabia mistri, a bamboo building artisan, as we surveyed the ravaged landscape (with only the bamboo groves still standing) after the Kosi floods made millions of people homeless. The government of Bihar had invited us to propose a housing solution for the region of Mithalanchal, mythologically famous as the land of Janak, 5ita 's father. The Kosi , a large tributary of the Ganges that begins in far away Tibet, has always flooded , and therefore made the northern region of Bihar between the Ganges and the Himalayas, rich and fertile.
converging again in its mighty form . Also, the river path has been shifting westwards, and total shift has been more than 1OOkms in the last 250 years. But when Kusaha dam was breached in September 2008, the fury of waters drown ed and destroyed many villages. The people of north Bihar are aware of floods, but with th is breach, Kosi river had decided 0 return eastwa rds to its 200-
Here, to talk of sustainability is almost ephemeral; and yet the
choose the options that could be completely un-sustainable. It is
people of this region have built one of the most enduring
not easy when sustainability is not a matter of empo we red
lifestyles on the se fertile planes. And central to their life is the
deCi sio n-making, but a result of situational constraints. Aspiration
bamboo- they say. 'from birth to death' eve ry step in their lives ,
of imitating glittery lifestyle of cities influences the decision-
is supported by the bam boo. The usuall y held notion of trying to
making . Constrained communities which when given a choice can
build such that nature cannot degrade the materials easily. does
also make un-sustainable choices. Sustainability is viable only
not exist here. However, they build such that the d egrading
when it is not a result of lack of options or external impo si tions.
material is changed without bringing down the structure.
ODRC felt it was impo rta nt to empower communities to make
Sustainability was not something that people in north Bihar
deci sions, help them evolve their own contextual solutions and
needed to learn. In fact. that was something they could teach , to
enable them to improve their housing conditions with something
anyone who listened . But at the same time, they could very li ke ly
that is more durable and requires less maintenance. Local materials like bamboo could be used to deli ver such opt ion s. Su stainability goes beyo nd carbon footprints and this story of Orlaha and Puraini explored its myr iad other dimensions.
Prefabricated Bamboo Frame Structure: Many families grow their own bamboo groves, particularl y of Harot (Bambusa Balcoa) that is structurally stro ng and forms the main frame of the house, and Chab (8ambusa Tulda) for the long straight rafters of the roof and Makhaur (8am busa Nutans) for ma king the bamboo mesh to make the walls between the frame . They always have extra to sell to those w ho do not have land to grow them . All the components of the house are prefabricated by the Dabia karigar (sk illed labourer), the frame erected and then filled in with wa ttle and daub. We learnt this from Dabia Tribhuvandas w ho worked with the design team to develop the
first prototypes for the
reh abilitation programme to consider. While the concept was good, incremental improvements could be made to safeguard agaillSt multi-hazard conditions of floods, storms and earthquakes and ensure a low maintenance home for the 40-50 years of the life of the bamboo. Sustainability must ensure that people can PLAN OF A TYPICAL HOUSE
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upgrade, change and add to their home easily.
EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT TIES
CYCLONE-RESISTANT FEATURES
Crafting the Home with Dabia: The bamboo artisan of Mithal.anchal builds the entire home only using one tool, a knife called Dabia. Understanding this traditional skill and designing solutions that could be built only with the Dabia , challenged our design acumen. The government of Bihar had an ambitious plan to rebuild a hundred thousand (one lakh) homes . Therefore, the programme was to design such that the rich traditions and skills of bamboo building are brought in. Providing recognition , ownership and pl'ide in the community knowledge can go a long way in continuing this sustainable practice. A mass housing programme would easily lose quality and speed if mistris had to be taught how to use new tools. Local technologies are usually best adapted for the local ecological setting. Therefore, the new design would need FLOOD-RESISTANT MECHANISM
to incorporate construction details that achieve our objectives without using any other tool. Most bamboo housing solutions have thus far suggested bolting joints together; this would not only
Bamboo has ten sile properties that are better than steel, building
require new materials (bolts, washers, plates, etc) and fabrication
a well connected frame (with braces and the first floor as
to be made available but drilling and scre wing tools as well.
diaphragm) will take the lateral thrusts of the earthquakes easily;
Therefore, the different types of joints in the house were secured
the connectivity of the plinth to the wall through the roof will stop
with three types of lashings (tying with rope) with a bamboo pin
the storms from uprooting the house, For the floods, the answers
to provide rigidity wherever necessary.
came from Madhubani; the region faces more floods than Kosi. The
A Creative Use of Pesticide Pumps: It was learnt from Dabia
people build their plinths higher than the average annual flood level
artisans that to ensure durability of bamboo, it was important to
and in extreme situations, simply climb into an attic space seven to
use appropriate variety of bamboo for specific purpose. Harot as
eight feet above and wait for the flood waters to recede. So the
columns, Chab for rafters and purlins and Makhaurfor lattice work
proposed house would have a first storey to use and save their
in wattle and daub. Mature bamboo, of at least three years, was to
belongings and themselve s from the floods . The wattle and daub
be used. While the bamboo is strong, it is the starch in its cells that
between the frames give way to the pressure of the flood waters
attracts the insects and fungi. There are techniques that can remove
protecting the main frame and the roof from collapsing. Instead of
the starch from the bamboo walls, and typical recommendation is
building a rigid structure to beat the forces of the floods, traditional
the use of a centralised treatment system. This was a lu xury the
engineering builds to absorb/release the forces of nature.
people of north Bihar could not afford as the tran sport of bamboo
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to the treatment unit and back to the village will require
pu m ps and then pushing the prefabricated pile into this hole with
intermediaries and the cost of bamboo would double. Learning
its own self weight. All this is achieved by three people in less
from the boucherie method from ABARI, Nepal . the equipment
th an o ne hour per pile, When the initial hole is made , the water
was rede signed to suit the bamboo variety in Bihar, optimising the
pl' 5su re in the hole (high water-table) is neutralised by creating
overall costs and overcoming the leakage of chemicals . Thi s method
a suct ion cre ated wit h a cupped hand over the auger pipe as it is
involved pumping of recommended preserva tive solution of borax,
pus hed into the ground. Eighty nine houses in Puraini constructed
boric acid and copper sulphate at a pressure of 0.1 to 0, 14N/mm2
th ei r found ations in this manner.
through the cut end of the bamboo till it seeped out from the other
All Together or no One: The spirit of collective efforts in Orlaha
end replacing the sap, Bamboo with a minimum size of 70- 1OOmm
an d Puraini strengthened the reconstruction process, Not everyone
in diameter at thin end and wall thic kness of bamboo not less t han
had equal capabilities and some people had been impacted more
10- 12mm were used. Mounted on a bicycle, this improved
in the fl oods. People of Orlaha and Puraini ensured that no one was left behind. As much as 17 families who had lost their land due to excessi ve scouring or erosion of land in floods were supported with
n
additional sum of 5000 rupees to buy alternative land or reclaim the existing homestead plot. People of Orlaha and Puraini got together to identify and ensure th at all families could gain access to the requi red land. While seven families reclaimed, 10 families bought another piece of land to rebuild their homes. Social mobili ' dtion of community to undertake reconstruction in a campaign mode provided catalytic energies to the process of
TYPES OF BAMBOO LASHINGS
reconstruction. A social facilitation hub at village level called Kosi
pesticide pumping equipment was provided to entrepreneurs who could provide services to various households, They could charge a family the labour cost of five to seven rupees per bamboo, wh ile the chemical mix was sold in sach ets ready for dilution in the pesticide pump. This way, the owner of the house could cut and treat the bamboo in their own bamboo grove itself, simplifying the process drastically.
Ti e with rope
Pile Foundations without Electric Power: This region is familiar with earthquakes; in the 1935 earthquake, a large number
oi--- Bamboo Co lumn -
of houses simply tilted or 'sank' into the so il due to 'liquefaction' . a result of sandy (unconsolidated) soil conditions with a high watertable. The water-table can further rise wi th the vibrations of the
BAMBOO JOINERY DETAILS
earthquake engulfing the foundations of buildings. The soil looses their strength resulting in a watery grave for the building.
Setu Kendra (later concei ved at a level of cluster of two to three
Flood plains like the Kosi region have many vi llages wit h suc h
panchayats in larger GoB programme of Kosi flood reconstruction)
soi l conditions and require pile foundations to hold the buildings.
mobilised families, identified issues and worked to evolve solutions
In Puraini, which wa s surrounded by the Kosi tributaries, pile
through community consultations and local wisdom as much as
foundations were necessary. However, casting RCC piles was a
possible, KSK team regularly discussed progress, se nsitised everyone
challenge with high ground water-table at only 4ft depth . When
to needs of families with single women or old aged people and
faced with this challenge, they resorted to a 'jugaad' by lowering
ensured community support. It helped in liaison with banks and
a bottomless drum to dig the pit and hold the soil and water on
ensured timely access to financial assistance . It also played effective
sides. Once the y reached the required depth of 10ft in this
role in training people for bamboo treatment and in ensuring
manner, the y lowered a pre-cast RCC pile in place, removed the
compliance to technical guidelines brought ou t by the technical
drum used as shuttering to hold soil and compacted the sand by
committee of the government of Bihar. KSK team was supported by
ramming. They also developed a system for making holes for the
a reso urce team from Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan, Hunnarshala and
piles by use of hand auger normally used for installin g hand
People in Centre (ODR Collaborative member organisations) .
HI March 2012ARCHITECTURE+ DESIGN
People Decide, Artisans Build and Craft: Dabia artisans
its usable output in form of organic fertilizer. After v isiting a
strengthened with solution to provide more durability added
demonstration toilet and learning its usage. people quickly made
improved bamboo house to the options available to home owners.
their own dry pit toilets with the help of trained local masons w ith
The artisans and masons. the source of knowledge and guidance to
many growing fruit trees and plants near their toilets. While there
people. earned place of pride in the community through building
are hardly any example of successfu l eco-san toilet programme at
so lutions that provided shape to aspirations and improved quality
the settlement level. Orlaha and Puraini w ith its nearly 50 per cent
of life. Strengthened by ODRC team on technical guidelines. artisans
of toilets in active use demonstrated its potential and acceptability
collaborated w ith home owners to help them decide on appropriate
in north Bihar. With more rigorous socia l efforts. there is little doubt
type of construction. Empowered with freedom to choose and
in the success of eco-san toilets.
equipped with knowledge. families of Orlaha and Puraini opted for
Availability of electric power particularly li ghting could bring
houses based on their preferences. family needs and capabilities of
about a sign ificant change. Children could study in the evening.
financial contribution. Of the total 134 families. 88 families chose
Mobile phones cou ld be charged at home itself (without payment).
to build houses with brick walls and bamboo attic and bamboo-
One could be safe w hile stepping out of homes in the evening. One
based roofs. 44 families built completely with bamboo (walls. attic
could see we ll w hile cooking the evening meal. North Bihar villages
and roofs made of bamboo) and remaining two chose to build in
have little access to the power grid and solar lighting was a more
brick with RCC roofs. People of Orlaha and Puraini in the process of
sustainab le alternat ive . On completion of the house. each family
building their homes celebrated use of bamboo through the craft of
chose to install so lar lights. Solar lighting was beneficial and as
the Dabia artisans. During his visit to Kosi region to see bamboo
families are able to invest more in future, the upgradation cou ld be
houses before upgrading it through rehabilitation policy. the chief
made to add more electric points. additional panels and bigger
minister of Bihar. had a discussion with the Dabia artisans. And
batteries. Solar street lighting was also installed through community
today. in the larger programme of Kosi. reconstruction to build
funding making access easy and safe during the evenings and nights.
100.000 houses. more than 300 artisans are taking responsibility
Policy recommendation has been made to improve the quality of
to guide home owners to decide appropriate house type and
products through the quality assurance mark and encouraging the
oversee the construction to ensu re qual ity.
service supply chain for the users.
Decentralised Services- Sanitation, Solar Lighting and
Biological contamination due to stagnant water. lack of waste
Drinking Water: Appropriate sanitation was a critical need for the
disposa l system and use of shallow hand pumps (locally known as
environmental improvement. Use of toilets offered more dignity.
chapakal) for drinking water made the water unsafe. Crushed guava
particularly to teenaged girls. physically disabled persons. old aged
leaves w hen put in drinking water from hand pumps gave purple
or persons with illnesses. Contamination of ground,vater in typical
hues indicating excessive iron content. This was a test learned from
twin pit toilets particularly due to high ground water-table was an
Megh Pyne Abhiyan (a local NGO network working on water safety).
issue. With the help from Biome. Bangalore. a solution in the form
Also . less dissolved oxygen was an issue with drinking water. Open
of eco-san toilets was developed using a special toilet pan that
well s worked better as the process of oxidation improved. dissolving
separated so lid waste from urine. Very soon. the community
oxygen and precipitating iron content and improving quality of
christened it' Faydemand Shauchalaya' (beneficial toilets) realising
\路vater for drinking purpose. Community \vi sdom had imbibed this
III l\!Iarch 2012ARCHITECTURE+OESIGN
House construction in Orlaha and Puraini Total houses: 134 (45+89) Total cost of house reconstruction: Rs 95, 57 , 750/(Project assistance: Rs 71, 50, 000; People's contribution: Rs 24, OS, 000 )
Average house size: 300sq ft Average construction cost: Rs 23 7 per sq ft Total toilets: 107 Total cost of toilets: Rs 8,56,000 Cost of Solar lights: Rs 8, 84, 000 (Project assistance Rs 8, 45,000; People's Contribution Rs 39,000) Hamlet level infrastructure (Street solar lights, Access Roads and Drinking water well) solution in its tradition but now seemed forgotten or neglected due
Cost: Rs 32.78, 480 (Project assistance Rs 32, 50.
to wrong policies of hand pump promotion. Hand pumps (chapaka0
000; People's Contribution Rs 28.480)
could be used for other needs. After discussion with the community. a well was planned in Orlaha on t he southern end considering natural recharge and discharge points. Geo-hydrological appraisal
and Puarini and included in the policy for reconstruction, planning
with the help from Megh Pyne Abhiyan and ACWADAM, Pune
at district and regional level still remains to be taken up. If regional
indicated recharge and discharge points for ground water flow in
development effort is not coordinated with the settlement
both the villages.
planning processes, the fear is that it might just increase the risks
larger Picture - Towards a Region Plan: Not only a good
of the disaster.
house, improving quality of life also needs better regional
The Way Forward - Kosi Reconstruction Programme: Today,
infrastructure. En suring safety of settlem ents and improving
Kosi has started flowing back in its normal course. People of Orlaha
infrastructure in the region is opportunity at the time of
and Puraini have gained confidence that they would be more
reconstruction. The need is to ensure that these development
resi路l ient in their new houses. Local efforts, materials , skills and
objectives are aligned in a harmonious way with nature. While
local
expanding settlements become better connected with roads and
Col labo rative acted as a catalyst and people of Orlaha and Puraini
other infrastructure, the Kosi continue to flow unobstructed
not only rebuilt their entire settlement but demonstrated a way
wisdom
formed
the
basis
of
reconstruction.
ODR
reducing disaster risks. Putting in place the system to bring
for the entire Kosi reconstruction programme. Policy for Kosi
together people's own wisdom with analytical skills of planning
reconstruction programme draws upon their experience to learn
professionals through participatory planning processes can lead to
about the financial assistance in instalments, social mobilisation
as
and facilitation by Kosi Setu Kendra , use of bamboo as per
Pan chayats. Though demonstrated at the settlement level in Orlaha
technical guide lines, construction of houses by homeowners
a regional
plan and
strengthen
loca l institutions such
through local Dabia artisans and masons, supervision by master artisans, building of eco-san toilets and installation of solar lights. Based on this policy, a programme to reconstruct 100,000 houses is presently underway. With Orlaha and Puraini showing the way and government of Bihar providing policy support. bamboo has emerged
as a viable and
sustainable option
offering an
improvement in the quality of life for large number of families in Kosi region. Thanks to the local Dabia artisan's skills, wisdom, willingness to learn , adapt and deliver, people of Kosi region can continue to build better in a sustain able way.
dJo
Sandeep Virmani and Vivek Rawal represent Hunnarshala Foundation and People in Centre ConSUlting respectively in OOR Collaborative.
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