Building Centre at Birati

The FOSET project led Building Centre at Birati was specifically set up to work with Local communities to lead to grassroots level empowerment. This centre became ground zero for testing of alternative, low-cost sustainable technologies in the field of Building Construction.

Adopting a methodology of learning by doing, several workshops and experiments were carried out here. Some of the materials and technologies explored were mud, composite building brocks, manufacturing different ways of roofing using thatch, etc. The centre had two main functions, development of skills and crafts amongst the local populace, and the experimentation and development of new construction materials and methods. The building of the centre itself was a test in efficiency, practicality and efficacy of these techniques.

The centre trained a large number of local artisans, craftsmen, masons and others who took these technologies into the surrounding areas. 

Location: Birati, West Bengal
Client: Forum of Scientists. Engineers & Technologists (FOSET)
Year: 1990-94