Auroville's monthly news magazine since 1988

Auroville Earth Institute (AVEI)

Report on Darkali bridge construction

A detailed evaluation report published in November 2024 by Satprem Maïni, Director of the Auroville Earth Institute, highlighted several concerns regarding the ongoing construction of a bridge at Darkali for the Crown Road project.

Committed to Auroville

Palani in the Aureka workshop

Palani is the executive and product manager of Aureka, Auroville’s engineering company. Here he talks about his upbringing, his work, and his plans for the future.

Satprem update

On 19th June Satprem Maini was notified by the FRRO Chennai that he had to leave the country on or before 1st July, although he holds a valid visa until December 2025, since the Secretary had apparently withdrawn his recommendation to work and live in Auroville.

Earth Institute update

Satprem set up and is deeply involved with the Auroville Earth Institute (AVEI), which has become one of the world’s foremost centres for excellence in earthen architecture, and a leader in the research, development, promotion and transfer of earth-based building technologies.

New road study

Work is now going on apace to finish the Crown road, using RCC slabs rather than the paver blocks which were first experimented with. However, a study by the Auroville Earth Institute concludes that “The new road surfacing design approved by the Auroville Town Development Council appointed by the secretary for the surfacing of this road does not follow any Indian standard.

In memoriam - Akash Nandkumar

Akash Nandkumar

Akash Nandkumar, an Auroville volunteer, left his body on October 13th. Akash first came to attend Auroville’s Swadharma programme in July-August 2018, and afterwards continued to live in Auroville, developing Hempcrete which became his life’s passion, working with the Auroville Earth Institute and others pioneering the difficult research and development work.

Searching for the self

1 Dawn at Zeek’s Creek salt marsh, Conanicut Island, RI, USA

Knowing the end approaches He asks what we should all ask – What would I truly wish to do With the rest of my life? How do I make my time on this planet count?

Earth Institute struggles

Revolutionising the Auroville economy with hemp

Sasi and Tom at the Hemplanet stall

Auroville’s grocery outlets have begun to be stocked with an all-new collection of hemp-based products. Hempseed oil, hemp flour, and hemp hearts have hit the shelves thanks to Hemplanet, an Auroville unit that aims to promote the use of a wide array of hemp derivatives and eventually begin hemp cultivation in Auroville.

New youth communities

The earth bag house in the making

Auroville, A Site of Unending Education

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I wonder if this is a shared rationale, and whether being exposed from a young age to a dynamic and participatory learning environment is conducive to engaging in creating such opportunities.

Winds of Change

Precision building in three dimensions - the printer in action

Following Jorge Ayarza’s presentation on Makerspace at YouthLink a couple of months ago, we spoke to him about the makerspace concept, the Open Source movement and access to renewable energies, that are radically transforming the world as we know it.

Search for the Divine

Road concerns

In response to complaints about poor road quality, the Auroville Earth Institute has clarified that the poured earth concrete road stretch between Certitude and the Solar Kitchen roundabout was made hastily as it had to be opened before the visit of the Prime Minister.

50th anniversary update

On 29th of December, the 50th anniversary planning team gave an update to the community on planned events. Among other events, there will be a water ceremony after the early morning meditation on 28th February 2018, in the Amphitheatre.

People, Profits and Planet: Sustainability in Business

Economic growth cannot be the only raison d’être of our economy.

Neighbours learn more about each other

Women from Annai Nagar accompanied by Aurovlians working at Auroville Village Action and the Joy of Learning visiting the Matrimandir

Recently, exchange visits took place between Auroville and the neighbouring village of Annainagar. Ain Contractor, a volunteer with Auroville Village Action, describes the event.

The Kaza Eco-Community Centre

Earthquake-resistant features: buttress walls, ring beams and CSEB u-biocs allow for lateral stability

The Auroville Earth Institute (AVEI) managed by Satprem (founder), Lara, and Iyappan is internationally known as a centre for excellence in earthen architecture.

The unique status of Auroville is its protection. An interview with Dr. Karan Singh

The members of the Governing Board  and International Advisory Council (lAC) at the community gathering at the Unity Pavilion on September 8th

On September 8th, the Auroville community, in a public gathering at the Unity Pavilion, bade farewell to the members of the Governing Board whose term of office ends on October 28th.

The volunteer’s experience

Volunteering at Nandanam school

My experience of Auroville started in August 2013, as an intern at the Auroville Earth Institute. For six months, I had the chance to lead a research project on a promising new technology for construction, Poured Earth Concrete.