Introduction: The Gandhi Gyan Parab
In the Gujarati village of Vasna, close to Ahmedabad, Footprints E.A.R.T.H. (Environment, Art, Research, Technology, and Humanity) has created the Gandhi Gyan Parab, Gandhiashram, a distinctive eco-friendly project. The Gandhi Gyan Parab is a community center and learning hub that emphasizes the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the preservation of traditional arts and crafts, and the promotion of sustainable living practices. On the 144th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the center was founded in 2014 to advance Gandhian ideals and values. The center, which includes an art studio, a library, a meditation hall, a community kitchen, and a traditional weaving facility, is entirely constructed out of ecologically sound and sustainable materials like mud, cow dung, and bamboo.
Additionally, the center offers a variety of educational workshops and programs for both adults and children that cover a range of topics like Gandhian philosophy, green building practices, organic farming techniques, and traditional crafts. Participants have the chance to learn more about these topics in-depth during these immersive workshops. The center also actively encourages cultural events and festivals, such as the eagerly awaited Gandhi Gyan Parab festival, every year. This occasion provides a forum for activists, scholars, and artists from all over India to come together in honor of Mahatma Gandhi’s life and enduring legacy. The Gandhi ashram creates a remarkable precedent for sustainable and community-based living by hosting the Gandhi Gyan Parab. For those wishing to learn more about eco-friendly practices and the profound lessons of Gandhian philosophy, it is an invaluable resource.
Planning and Design Philosophy | Gandhiashram
The sustainability of the center was carefully considered during the planning and design process. It was built entirely from renewable and environmentally friendly materials like bamboo, mud, and cow dung. The building’s design is based on sustainable principles, emphasizing the use of natural and locally sourced materials as well as passive cooling and heating methods. Water conservation is also a top priority. By implementing these green building techniques, the center acts as a model for construction that is environmentally responsible and illustrates how eco-friendly practices can be incorporated into architectural design.
The Gandhian philosophy, which promotes simplicity, self-sufficiency, and communal living, served as inspiration for the Gandhi Gyan Parab’s design framework. These ideas are embodied in the center, which provides a gathering place for people to learn, encourage creativity, and forge deep bonds with one another and the natural world. The design aims to create an environment that is supportive of both individual and group development with a focus on functionality and harmony with the environment. The Gandhian values incorporated into the center’s design serve as a concrete outline of sustainable and community-centered living.
Innovative and Sustainable Construction
The Gandhi Gyan Parab at Gandhi Ashram is notable for its unusual building techniques and supplies, particularly cow dung, mud, and bamboo. The facility stands out due to this distinct feature. The use of these resources not only emphasizes its uniqueness but also its dedication to using environmentally friendly building techniques. The center ensures a small ecological footprint by using locally accessible materials. A mixture of mud and cow dung was used to build the walls, which have excellent insulation qualities and can control the temperature inside the building. This organic insulation aids in preserving a cozy atmosphere all year long. Additionally, bamboo is important to the construction because it is used for both the roof and the supporting columns. Bamboo is an excellent pick because of its durability, adaptability, and sustainable growth, which is in line with the center’s focus on eco-friendly solutions. The Gandhi Gyan Parab is an example of innovative and sustainable building practices, further emulating the spirit of the facility’s mission, by utilizing these unusual construction methods and materials.
The Gandhi Gyan Parab at Gandhi Ashram is a splendid example of sustainable living in many ways. Through the use of natural and locally sourced materials in its construction, the center actively promotes sustainable living principles and is committed to lowering its carbon footprint. This dedication reduces the negative effects on the environment and encourages others to follow suit. The building includes a number of water-saving features to increase its sustainability. A rainwater harvesting system that collects and stores rainwater for later use is one of these, as is a wastewater treatment facility that ensures ethical management of water resources. The building in Ahmedabad is cleverly situated directly beneath a sizable water tank at the Ashram, which provides a gravity-fed water supply for the center. In addition, the Gandhi Gyan Parab promotes and supports environmentally friendly activities like organic farming and traditional crafts. By implementing these techniques, the center supports biodiversity conservation in addition to helping to preserve local culture. The Gandhi Gyan Parab serves as an example of sustainable living through its all-encompassing philosophy, encouraging people and communities to make environmentally responsible decisions and actively participate in the preservation of our planet’s resources.
Conclusion: A sustainable community-based living | Gandhiashram
At Gandhiashram, the Gandhi Gyan Parab is a shining example of sustainable and communal living. This outstanding center offers a stimulating environment for education, creativity, and the development of relationships with others and the natural world. Its design and construction demonstrate a harmonious fusion of ethos and are based on Gandhian philosophy and sustainable architecture principles. The center is an example of sustainability in action because it uses locally sourced materials and water-saving strategies. It serves as evidence of the viability of environmentally friendly lifestyles and the ongoing survival of traditional arts and crafts. The Gandhi Gyan Parab offers a transformative experience for those looking to embrace sustainable practices, delve into the rich legacy of traditional arts, and gain profound insights into Gandhian philosophy. The Gandhi Gyan Parab is deeply committed to promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings. A trip to Gandhi Gyan Parab at Gandhiashram is a must for anyone who wants to live an environmentally conscious life and experience a vibrant cultural and educational experience.
References:
01 Gandhi Gyan Parab, gandhiashram (no date) Footprints E.A.R.T.H. Available at: https://footprintsearth.com/projects/heritage-conservation-adaptive-reuse-design/gandhi-gyan-parab-gandhiashram.html (Accessed: May 5, 2023).
Baby, S. (2023) Environmental Sanitation Institute by footprints E.A.R.T.H, RTF | Rethinking The Future. Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/2023/02/20/a9356-environmental-sanitation-institute-by-footprints-e-a-r-t-h/ (Accessed: May 5, 2023).
Sabesan, A. (2021) Footprints E.A.R.T.H- pioneering sustainable architecture of Regional India, RTF | Rethinking The Future. Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/2021/09/13/a5197-footprints-e-a-r-t-h-pioneering-sustainable-architecture-of-regional-india/ (Accessed: May 5, 2023).
This amdavadi architect has been using waste materials in architecture for 34 years (no date) Creative Yatra. Available at: https://creativeyatra.com/news/amdavadi-architect-using-waste-materials-architecture-34-years/ (Accessed: May 5, 2023).
