Earth Institute struggles

More than seven years ago, Auroville’s Earth Institute headed by architect Satprem completed Realisation, a community housing project. The project met many hurdles on the way. Conceptual and project execution mistakes were made, and the project became a financial loss for the Earth Institute to the tune of Rs 19.5 Lakhs. 

Since then, the Earth Institute has not executed any major project in Auroville and focused on training courses instead. In February this year, Satprem informed the Working Committee and others that the Earth Institute is out of work and that only the income from its earth-architecture training courses are keeping the unit alive.

In the years 2011 to 2012, at the request of the former TDC, the Earth Institute designed the Green Kasbah, a collective housing project for 48 apartments. As urban guidelines were not available, the Earth Institute defined them as well. The TDC’s site permission and building approval for the first phase of 16 apartments were given. “But the Housing Service, perhaps because of the negative experience with the Realisation project, did not inform potential clients about the project, and even lost all the information that was given. Other projects were promoted,” says Satprem. The Earth Institute lost another Rs 8 lakhs and kept the unit alive with projects outside Auroville. The Kasbah idea collapsed 

“Since last year, we have been struggling to pay the workers. The curtain fell in December, when we had no more money. We agreed with the workers that we would not dismiss them – some of them have been with us for more than 25 years and they are like a big family! But something needs to be done urgently,” says Satprem.

Change is in the air. Now that the TDC is opening up plots for development, the Kasbah plans can be upgraded and re-submitted. The project is interesting as it uses compressed stabilised earth blocks for construction. For more information on the Auroville Earth Institute see Auroville Today # 357 of April 2019.