The COSTFORD experience

Sustainable Design Practices at Costford

In this blog, lets talk about,

1.COSTFORD’s role in promoting sustainability

2.Architect Laurie Backer’s approach

3.COSTFORD’s architectural approach

4.Different construction techniques adopted

a)Rubble Masonry

b)Brick Wall

What is a brick?

Brick Bonds- Flemish Bond, Rat trap bond

c)Brick Jalli

d)Bottle lighting

e)Filler Slab

f)Mud Building

a)Adobe Walls

b)COB Walls

c)Mud Plaster

g)Bamboo beam & bamboo slab

h)Roofing: Casuarina roofing

i)Flooring

5.Hands on - Site Visits

6.On Site Sketches

Centre of Science and Technology For Rural Development- COSTFORD founded in 1985 by architect Laurie Baker, Achuth Menon, former chief minister of kerala, economist Dr. K.N. Raj and social activist R Chandradutt provides technological assistance and social development support for rural and urban development. The firm shows interest in alternative building technologies encouraged by Mr. Laurie Baker.

Costford was registered as non profit voluntary organisation in 1985 and started its construction activities in 1986. Its head office is located in Thrissur and has several offices in kerala, in which Trivandrum office is dedicated to architectural services.

Residences for EWS

Housing colonies

Social housing

Small to medium sized buildings

Institutional buildings

Small scale infrastructure projects

Costford designs in accordance with user needs with major consideration will be on resource conservation. A set of standards are pragmatically developed at costford for choosing the right design which can cater the user needs. Some of design techniques adopted are exclusive to costford developed by architect Laurie Baker.

COMPONENTS

•FOUNDATION

+ RUBBLE MASONRY

• WALL

+ BRICK

+ ADOBE

+ COB

•OPENINGS

+ JALLIS

+ BOTTLE LIGHTING

•SLAB/BEAM

+ BAMBOO SLAB

+ BAMBOO BEAM

•ROOFING

+ CASURINA

+ FILLER SLAB

•FLOORING

+ RED OXIDE

+ BAMBOO FLOORING

+ VITRIFIED TILES

+ GRANITE

+ TERRACOTTA