Auroville, derived from the French terms “Aurore”, signifying dawn, and “ville”, meaning city, is aptly named the “City of Dawn”. This unique experiment is situated in the picturesque locales of southern India. Sri Aurobindo Ghose, a well-known Indian seer and spiritual visionary, envisioned the ideal metropolis.
The township was founded in February 1986 by Mirra Alfassa, also known as The Mother, a yoga instructor, spiritual guide, and associate of Sri Aurobindo. The intent was to establish a society that would embrace people from different origins and cultures together in harmony and peace. It also represents the union of Eastern mysticism and Western modernism. The project promises to be an experimental city for human unity, founded upon a complex mix of spiritual and secular principles. The vision behind the city is to create a new humanity, a new world, and a new society that expresses and embodies consciousness. It is, by definition, a collective ideal that necessitates collaboration to be realised in terms of integrated human perfection.
Conception of the Masterplan
In 1965, The Mother envisaged a basic concept for the city through a sketch. The sketch unveiled all the important activity areas that would fulfil the vision of making it a universal city. Roger Anger, the French architect, was tasked with designing, planning, and bringing her vision to fruition. The master plan comprises a galaxy where several ‘Arms’ or ‘Lines of Force’ seem to unwind from a central region.
- At the centre stands the ‘Soul of Auroville’, the Matrimandir, a place for individual silent concentration.
- Radiating beyond the Matrimandir Gardens are four zones, focusing on important aspects of the township: Industrial (north), Cultural (northeast), Residential (south/southwest), and International (west).
- The city is surrounded by a green belt consisting of forested areas, farms, sanctuaries, and scattered settlements for communities involved in green work.
The Vision Behind Auroville’s Architecture
At Auroville, it was believed that constructing a new city for the future on a clean slate to promote research and experimentation alongside integral development would attract architects and students of architecture from all over the world. Being unconstrained by human society’s norms and lacking pre-established by-laws has allowed Auroville to blossom into a myriad of expressions that are logical outgrowths of the pursuit of the novel.
Building materials, building technology, eco-friendly architecture, climate-responsive designs, integration with the natural environment, cost-effective buildings, geomancy, and geometry, as well as the design of spaces, including experimenting with the user’s lifestyle, are some of the architectural aspects that are currently being experimented with in the construction field in Auroville. Apart from these, the design and administration of building infrastructure, construction of integrated rainwater collection systems, residential wastewater treatment facilities, and integration of renewable energy systems to meet energy demands are also being catered for.
Matrimandir: The Soul of Auroville
The Mother’s Temple popularly known as the Materimandir, is one of the first structures in India to incorporate a geodesic dome in its architecture. The circular structure has twelve petals surrounding it, creating a representation of a lotus blossoming. The concept of this temple is to discover one’s consciousness and is not connected to any specific religion.
Twelve petals encircle the spherical framework, giving it the appearance of a lotus in full bloom. The construction has an unparalleled radiance due to the sun’s reflection from the numerous golden discs that combine to form the geodesic dome. The world’s largest optically perfect glass globe is housed in the inner chamber, a meditation hall located inside the central dome. The Matrimandir and its surrounding gardens stand at the heart of the peaceful neighbourhood. Matrimandir’s four primary pillars, which face the four compass directions, support the interior room.
The Auroville Visitor Centre
The centre’s goal is to educate visitors through exhibitions and audiovisuals about the significance of Auroville and its material and spiritual aspirations, In addition to this the complex has watershed management, renewable energy sources, wastewater recycling systems, native plant landscaping, and environmentally friendly building materials and technology.
The building of this complex is used to instruct locals in earth construction techniques such as arches and domes, as well as ferrocement roofing. This centre serves as an awareness and exposure centre on solar passive architecture and appropriate architecture for students of architecture. The centre houses two large exhibition spaces, three boutiques for all the handicrafts that are produced within Auroville, and two cafeterias. Along with all these facilities, there are galleries, bookshops, open-air walk-through expos on green technologies, and plant nurseries.
Auroville Earth Institute
The Auroville Earth Institute was founded to improve earth-based building systems. The institute’s structures are actual examples of green building practices. This structure has a low environmental impact and blends in well with its surroundings. Local resources such as stabilised soil rammed earth, and compressed earth blocks were used in the construction. The design approach emphasises thermal comfort, natural lighting, and passive cooling to produce visually appealing and sustainable homes. The Auroville Institute continues to work via research, education, and outreach to improve earth-based buildings as a long-term sustainable solution for communities worldwide.
Town Hall
Both residents and tourists appreciate the Auroville Town Hall’s open, inclusive, and functional architecture. This beautiful yet understated structure has spacious rooms, an abundance of natural light, and natural ventilation, all of which contribute to a pleasant atmosphere for social gatherings, events and cultural activities. The traditional building methods and locally produced materials honour Auroville’s cultural legacy. The multipurpose areas, eco-friendly elements, and symbolic value of the Auroville Town Hall provide witness to the township’s dedication to well-being, community involvement, and peaceful cohabitation.
Savitri Bhavan
Nestled in tranquil settings, Savitri Bhavan’s architecture represents a balanced blend of ancient and contemporary features, resulting in a space that encourages reflection and introspection. Its peaceful gardens, arched arcades, and soothing meditation halls offer a haven for spiritual seekers. The use of natural materials and earthy tones strengthens the Bhavan’s connection to the surrounding area while also encouraging sustainability and ecological balance.
To summarise, Auroville’s architecture transcends the realm of structural aggregation, serving as a tangible manifestation of humanity’s most esteemed aspirations and principles. The experimental city exemplifies an intricate tapestry of diverse architectural expressions dedicated to enduring sustainability and community collaboration. It stands as a testament to the timeless ideals of harmony, synergy and progressive evolution.
Reference list:
https://www.facebook.com/divineindialove/posts/aurovillein-the-french-aurore-meaning-dawn-and-ville-meaning-city-auroville-is-a/1882523515239317
https://auroville.org/
https://web.archive.org/web/20100114073814/http://www.boloji.com/architecture/00053.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20161207170027/http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/1116/culture_1-1.html
https://theconstructor.org/architecture/matrimandir-construction-features/60491/
https://www.aurovilledesign.com/pdfs/visitors-centre-auroville/
https://www.mona-naqshbandi.auroville.org/projects/temple-tree-retreat-extension
https://dev.earth-auroville.com/introduction/
https://www.archdaily.com/798095/the-unreliable-utopia-of-aurovilles-architecture
https://auroville.org/page/galaxy-concept-of-the-city
