Learn – Page 2

Daoodji

by vanamuLearn November 10, 2022No Comments

Dawood Muwal, aka Dawoodji

A 62 year old master artisan and a teacher from Sardarshahar, Rajasthan. He is one of the rarest of the last few traditional artisans of the age and experience who has transcended, while preserving the original art practiced by three generations before him.

He has worked on the restoration of the Rajabai tower and Elephanta caves and several other projects with Intach. He specializes in the crafting of three dimensional lime stuccos that still adorn the walls and ceilings of our palaces and palatial houses. Awarded by Ratan Tata for his restoration work, he has taught several architects of repute.

Dawood ji has come down to Bangalore and is currently working on several modern buildings and training local masons, in an attempt to pass on his legacy. This is one of the rarest of the opportunities to experience his work, wisdom and wit.

4 Masters 8 Plasters

by vanamuLearn November 10, 2022July 25, 2023No Comments

Registrations OPEN!

This Program has been rescheduled to FEB 18-25 2023, due to lack of sufficient registrations for the month of December 2022.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN HANDS-ON?

This year we had a master’s thesis student and three interns working full-time to update Vanamu’s research database with the findings from more than 250 secondary research papers on lime plastering and the processing of lime.

We are excited to have this opportunity to share with our past 76 participants this year on plastering through an online session. Many of them had requested a longer duration format for this workshop so that they could dive deeper. Several of you also requested on-site practice of your plastering skills so that larger surfaces and site conditions can be better understood. Some of you have been seeking an opportunity to work under master artisans like Daoodji, Arasu, Ananth and Yogesh

PROGRAM

Part 1 – Online Sessions only – Unlimited – Rs 600

Varun Thautam

Feb 13- 2 Hour – Online Session – Artisan Interviews

Feb 14 – 2 hour – Online Session – Lime – Online Theory session

Feb 15 – 2 hour – Online Session – Lime plastering techniques – Online Theory session

Part 2 – Thaapi, Lohi, Araish – 15 persons – Rs 12000

Artisan Dawood Muwal

Feb 18 – 10 hours – On-site at Vanamu – Rajasthani Thaapi plaster

Feb 19 – 10 hours – On-site at Vanamu – Rajasthani Lohi plaster

Feb 20 – 10 hours – On-site at Vanamu – Rajasthani Araish plaster

Part 3 – Tadelakt and Venetian – 15 persons – Rs 6000

Varun Thautam

Feb 21 – 10 hours – On-site at Vanamu – Moroccan Tadelakt

Feb 22 – 10 Hours – On site at Vanamu – Venetian, Qadad

Part 4 – Chettinad Egg plasters – 15 person – Rs 6000

Artisan Arasu and Ananth N (INTACH Pondicherry)

Feb 23 – 9 Hours – On site at Bangalore – Chettinad Egg Plaster

Feb 24 – 9 Hours – On site at Bangalore – Chettinad Egg Plaster

Part 5 – Mud plasters, Indian and Japanese – 15 persons – Rs 3000

Artisan Ananth (Hyderabad) and Varun Thautam

Feb 25 – 10 hours – On-site at Vanamu – Otsu and Indian Mud plasters

Feb 26 – 10 hours – On-site at Vanamu – Modern American stuccos

VENUE

The workshop will take place at our studio space “Vanamu” @ yelahanka, Bangalore.

We shall also be traveling to Devanahalli for the live projects. Travel to the site and back is included.

Vanamu

no 29, 1st Main, 1st A cross, Chikkabommasandra, GKVK post, Yelahanaka New Town

Bangalore, Karnataka 560065

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/dmAGGTgC76MhKRuz9

FEES

Fees include lunches on all days, tea, coffee, and snacks.

Fees include all materials, personal tiles, balls, wall areas to practice, tools, and cleanup.

Excludes accommodation

Shared accommodation can be arranged at an additional cost as a group if spots fill up fast. We estimate the costs to be under 700 Rs/day if shared, and Rs 1400 if booked individually.

Organizer information

vtarchitect@gmail.com

Varun Thautam 6361591177 (Whatsapp only, for questions on workshop content)

www.varunthautam.com

Natural Plasters and Finishes Workshop @Thiruvallur

by vanamuLearn September 11, 2022July 25, 2023No Comments

WHY NATURAL PLASTERS?

Natural plasters are made of materials such as clay, lime and other natural aggregates which are entirely bio degradable. They are durable and offer beautiful finishes with textures and colors that brings life to a space. Their breathability regulates the humidity and temperature while eliminating the chemicals that we would be exposed to, when using regular paints. Their antifungal properties resulting from their breathability reduces maintenance issues as well.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN HANDS ON?

Earth plasters
Lime plasters
Lime washes
Lime waterproofing

VENUE

How to get here?

Google maps location:
6RFJ+Q5M SendrayanPalayam Play Ground, Nayapakkam, Tamil Nadu 602023

If you are opting public transport:
You can catch a train/ bus to Thiruvallur. From Thiruvallur, ask for the bus to ‘sendrayanpalayam which usually commutes every 1 hour. Bus number 52 runs this way. Ask them to stop near Grace gardens in sendrayanpalayam after the church. From here, it’s only a few steps away.

Be ready to get dirty! Carry a good hat and drinking water

REGISTRATION & FEES

Rs. 6000 for farm stay including vegetarian meals
(Hotel stay in vicinity available at additional Rs. 1000 per night. Hotel location and contact details: Sri Durga Rooms https://goo.gl/maps/ZZis1hQesSG6k7PA7)
Register through this Google form
UPI id for payments: shruthiathreya.art@okicici

CONTACT

Email id: paaridesignstudio@gmail.com
Shruthi Athreya: 9940124848

2022-02-26 | Natural Plasters Vanamu

by vanamuBlog, Learn August 30, 2022August 30, 2022No Comments

Was attended by

Make this as a common outcome for each workshop

Save as a draft

We shall add text later

Bioclimatic Design – Studio workshop

by vanamuWorkshops July 6, 2022July 23, 2023No Comments

About the instructor

Varun Thautam

Frequently Asked Questions

Is master’s education required for further knowledge? – Architectural / Civil engineering education is recommended, however, the concepts will be covered from the basics so that anyone with basic secondary school math can understand.
Would the mentorship continue after the course? – Indeed, as time permits.
What are all the software/ apps/ tools required for this course? – Check out the tools tab, only a few of these tools will be covered. If your exercise requires the use of a tool, the use of it can be guided personally.
Will this will help me around my climate requirements? or tropical areas only? – This course covers deep concepts about materials and their use in response to climate. The concepts can be applied to any climate.
Will you provide us with proper notes/presentations? – Presentation is available freely, on this website, even without paying for the course. However, your participation is funding the development of this course and the contents of it into a book.
What is the class size per cycle – 20 Students

What others had to say after taking the course

You’ve changed my perspective at so many levels. Many others seem to carry some amount of experience and knowledge of materials and vernacular techniques etc compared to me so I’m taking a little longer to register and apply your teaching.

This is the perfect format , its very well broken to finer matter and open medium for interaction and solving queries. Thank you!!!

It was really very insightful course. My view point towards vernacular Architecture has broadened due to course. I think what is exactly we can take from vernacular Architecture and execute in modern context should be focused on more . Because most of the places are influenced by modern architecture so it is really necessary to understand how to achieve sort of balance between them.

What you need to do to prepare for the course (total of 15 hours)

Preferably attend one of the online workshops on the same topic by Varun Thautam (not a prerequisite)

Read Chapter 1 from coursebook

Otto H Koenigsberger, O. H., Ingersoll, T. G., Mayhew. Manual Of Tropical Housing & Building

Prescribed Readings

Heschong, L. (1979). Thermal delight in architecture. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Page 1-30
Pallasmaa, J. (2005). The eyes of the skin: Architecture and the senses. Chichester: Wiley-Academy ; Chapter 1
Evans, I., & Smiley, L. (2002). The hand-sculpted house: A philosophical and practical guide to building a cob cottage. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub.; Chapter 1Modern times [Motion picture]. (2003). MK2 Éditions
Bioclimatic Approach to Architectural Regionalism – Chapter 1

Required Activity

Please give your response to the readings here
Browse through the guidelines to prepare for the course here

Rammed Earth

by vanamuWorkshops June 8, 2022July 25, 2023No Comments

We only have a space for 20 participants at a time. For the participants who have opted for food and accommodation, it is three meals a day. Check-in from noon, a day before the workshop and check out before noon, a day after the workshop. Includes three meals a day on the days of the workshop. Simple shared rooms, with simple vegetarian meals.

In case you have any questions, please contact – Namrata Toraskar : 7022 160372 Varun Thautam 6361591177 – (9:00 am to 5:00 pm, weekdays only),

Refund policy:
We will not be able to refund your amount in case you cancel your registration. However, it is transferable or can be adjusted towards our next workshops. We need a minimum participation of 12/20, by 2 weeks before the workshop, to be viable.

Cost Rs 8000/- Includes food and accommodation. Cost Rs 6000/- Excludes food and accommodation.
Lunch, tea/coffee shall be provided on both days for all participants.

About the Event

PROGRAM for both days

09:00 > 09:45 – Theory sessions

09:45 > 10:00 – Tea break

10:00 > 13:00 – Hands on training / Theory sessions

13:00 > 14:00 – Lunch break, discussion

14:00 > 18:00 – Hands on training

18:00 > 19:00 – Q&A

About the Facilitator – Varun Thautam

I fell in love with Rammed Earth in 2008 at the Auroville Earth Institute, UNESCO Chair for Earthen Architecture, Asia. Our relationship deepened into a beautiful romance over the next years as I slowly got to understand her. I had to present her to my parents to build their house with rammed earth. Looking at our deep relationship while building the first few test walls on their house, my parents approved our marriage. I later went on to build over 4 residential projects in the next years in India. One of them went on to win Indian Architect & Builders Young Architects Award in 2014.

I then traveled to Canada, at McGill University where I explored the methods of diffusion of Rammed earth and wrote a research paper on her greatest ex-lover, François Cointeraux (1740-1830). He had dedicated a full life to Rammed Earth, dedicating 4 books and various construction to her. I mainly focused on how he and other romantics before and after taught/diffused Rammed Earth. I traveled to learn from experts around the world, India, USA and Canada. I started traveling mainly to know her whereabouts: bringing me to Mexico in 2014 to look at the project of Mauricio Rocha (School of plastic arts, Oaxaca).

However, our relationship has since lost its strength, mainly because she has chosen lovers of the current age that are only appreciating her for her spectacular looks. I have been a consultant to various architects and builders in Mexico and have organized several workshops on the same. This workshop is a personal attempt to rekindle our relationship and share my romance with you all. It has taken me more than a year to prepare for this new encounter.

See images of previous workshops on rammed earth here

If interested in organizing one, please contact Varun Thautam

Natural Plasters and Finishes @Vanamu

by vanamuBlog, Workshops May 18, 2022July 25, 2023No Comments

WHY NATURAL PLASTERS?

A plaster that breathes, regulates temperature and humidity inside the building, absorbs both noise and odors and that ages beautifully with time. Add to that the infinite possibilities in aesthetics; Coloured or Natural, smooth or grainy, regular or patterned, contemporary or rustic; earth plaster is irresistible! Additionally, unlike paints and other chemical coatings they do not emit any volatile components which could be harmful to our health and being locally available, they reduce the environmental impact of your construction. Anybody can create and apply its own natural plaster with the soil of its place, a dose of creativity, a trowel of motivation and a bit of experience!

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN HANDS ON?

Lime surkhi finish plasters – sponge and trowel finished

Stuccos with Lime

Limewashes – Jabelgas with various oxides

Tadelakt

Fine and Ultra fine clay plasters

PROGRAM

09:00 > 09:45 – Theory sessions

09:45 > 10:00 – Tea break

10:00 > 13:00 – Hands on training / Theory sessions

13:00 > 14:00 – Lunch break, Lunch included

14:00 > 18:00 – Hands on training

18:00 > 19:00 – Q and A over Chai Samosa

VENUE

The workshop will take place at our studio space “Vanamu” @ yelahanka, Bangalore.

Vanamu

no 29, 1st Main, 1st A cross, Chikkabommasandra, GKVK post, Yelahanaka New Town

Bangalore, Karnataka 560065

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/dmAGGTgC76MhKRuz9

Be ready to get dirty! Carry a good hat and drinking water

REGISTRATION & FEES

Max : 10 participants

Fees : Rs 6000 (without food and accommodation), Rs 8000 (With food and accommodation)

TAUGHT BY

Varun Thautam www.varunthautam.com

Guest Artisans – Ananth Nagarajan / Yogesh / Siddha

How to prepare for this workshop?

Get your list of questions ready and prepare for the Individual presentations and ideation – You will be required to share a few images of your past work/experience, or of the kind of work you need/aspire to. Prepare for a 5 min presentation with images.
Browse through a bibliography of sorts here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1byuNxjvdllu4DId_IKJDbeH1MBYCxCZBknu8V06dq2U/edit?usp=sharing
See the images of past workshops here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19DTLKfOn5bLwY_H63ot6mgQUozBvkTVn?usp=sharing

If you find the time, start your reading here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Np5Vm5tQWfvtgaNfj7VPwHBCsy6uq9zV?usp=sharing

Bring in mud / lime samples, samples of mixes / plasters / pigments you are working with.

How to get here?

https://goo.gl/maps/sTKWXSAkDup9hzC3A

We are still waiting to register our location with google. So here is an attempt,

As you come down Chikkabommasandra Main road (Kanti Sweets shall be to your left)
Take the second left, then the first left and another first left to reach the dead end, we shall be on your left.

Where to stay, eat and dine?

For the people opting for food and stay, we are setting people up at local accommodations, within 2 Kms radius of Vanamu. Meals will be arranged by Vanamu, if you have opted for it.

Refund policy
We will not be able to refund your amount in the case you cancel your registration. However it is transferable or can be adjusted towards our next workshops.
In case we have to reschedule due to low volume of registrations, or unforeseen events, we shall have to adjust the fee towards our next workshops. A decision will be taken 2 weeks prior to the workshop, based on the turnout.

Build the Maya Mandalam – Mar 2022

by vanamuBlog, Learn, Workshops February 26, 2022July 25, 2023No Comments

II MAYA MANDALAM II

@mayavadi_organic_farm_nandi is an experiential off-grid farm located in Nandi Hills, Bangalore. Within over 9 years of existence, they have been experimenting with the locals, agricultural techniques which allow combining farm activities and ecosystem regeneration.

This Maha Shivratri join us in building a Community-driven, Consciousness dome at Mayavadi, a symbol that would be built and nurtured by visitors to Mayavadi. We wish to provide a meditative space nestled in nature, that helps one connect with their inner consciousness.

Facilitated by @varun_thautam & Poobala Krishnan from @mayavadi_organic_farm_nandi the Hands-on Workshops spread across 10 days would see the participants learn to build Vaults & Catenary Dome with Brick and Lime, Plastering and Waterproofing with Lime, the traditional way. The participants shall also explore a spectrum of activities like permaculture, yoga, natural farming, art, and small treks and swim in the nearby Channagiri hillside.
We have the following options for the participants to choose from for registering:
Batch 1: 4th – 6th March, 2022
Batch 2: 11th -13th March, 2022
Long-term apprenticeship: 4th-13th March, 2022

More registration details in the poster and link in bio. Kindly DM Instagram @va_namu
& @grahani_gaatha for any assistance in registering.

VENUE and ACCOMMODATION
https://goo.gl/maps/DuBWfrPX5jL173qK7
More information about the space on.
https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/16253939 (Your registration includes the food at stay at this location)
Accommodation might be in a studio space / covered machan/tent with bathroom and shower facilities.

FOOD
Simple organic meals shall be prepared on all three days during your stay for the workshop.
This excludes the breakfast of the first day and the dinner of the last day.

FEES:

Rs 7,500 for full time students with a valid ID.
Rs 10,000 for others
Rs 2,000 for children under 10
Rs 15,000 for full time apprenticeship.

Fees include, food and stay, building materials and tools, teaching fees.
The cost of travel to Mayavadi is not included, but you might be able to hitch a ride with others driving down.

REGISTRATION & FEES

To register, make a payment via this link: https://rzp.io/l/7osg2iXvjU
Max : 10 participants

CONTACT

Namrata Toraskar 7022160372 (For general queries, payment)

Varun Thautam 6361591177 (Whatsapp only, for questions on workshop content)
ORGANISERS

Poobala Krishnan – @mayavadi_organic_farm_nandi (instagram)

Namrata Toraskar www.vanamu.org

Varun Thautam www.varunthautam.com