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Hi All!

My wife and I have moved into my father-in-law's 30 year old house (40x60) in BTM layout. We are planning to add a first floor made of interlocking mud bricks. Being a German I am keenly interested in every aspect of the construction process. Also we plan to use as much as possible, cost-effective and eco-friendly methods and materials. To this end we would also be using second-hand fixtures, cement flooring, plasterless walls, RCC door and window frames etc. I am looking mainly for two things in this forum: Other members who are doing something similar or even half way similar and contacts with direct labourers ( masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, cement floor specialists, brick layers for inrterlocking bricks, etc)

This group has impressed me with its wide variety of hands-on info made available, I have yet to peruse every post, ther is so much to go through! Would greatly appareciate it if you can point me to any post which helps me in my work. The construction is due to start shortly- at present the Architect is on board (on a retainer basis) and the application for building permission will be submitted at the local BBMP office in the next few days. Looking forward to hear from you.

Hi G.Kircher
I found one developer doing the same type of eco houses.
http://goodearth.org.in/projects/bangalore/
You can visit the site and get the labor details.
Actually i planned for same type of construction in 2015.. but now went for other way round because you require patience,more money,skilled labors and main thing is time.
If you have all the above,then surely you can make it.

Hi
There is an architect in Bangalore who is famous for mud blocks and eco friendly constructions. Her name is Chitra Vishwanath and the company is biome. You can try discussing with them to get contact of labourers etc. Not sure how easily they would share the info though.

This might help you too. My architect suggested this to me, but I didnt take this route.

http://vernarch.com/

Thank you

Chithra Vishwanath is a best person. And their Projects which i have seen are just awesome... One of my friends uncle home was built by them..

please check their blogs Biome... You can go with their services with out double check...

I know a well experienced Carpenter... Please let me know if you want his contact.

Here is another Eco Architect in Bangalore.
Just do a google search with this
"satya prakash varanasi architect"
you can get so many articles about him.

Thank you for the responses! Yes I have read quite a bit about Chitra Vishwanath and Satya Prakash Varanasi. Unfortunately my project is too small to interest them. I am interested in building at the lowest cost with sustainable techniques and materials. And I want to build this myself, which is why we engaged an Architect on retainer basis- to bring in the technical expertise at relevant points. The idea of visiting the sites of such architects to get labourers is uh, a little risky. I donot want to get chased out with a shovel ..besides I donot speak Kannada, my wife neither all she can speak is Hindi and Malayalam. So we are a bit stumped there. Sandeep, I would love to have the contact of your carpenter- does he work in btm?

Hi Kircher

as your requirement is only for extending the usable area on an existing building, you can even look for Gypsum board based construction, which can be done in shortest
time & low cost.

Also there is a department at "Indian Institute of Science IISC" by name "Astra" where lot of experts available who can help you in making low cost construction using the locally available resources. you can take their assistance also.

Even pre-fab construction technique can be used. here are some links for reference which may help you.

http://www.astra.iisc.ernet.in/Pages/Co ... ntact.html

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/ban ... e#comments

http://www.thealternative.in/lifestyle/ ... ick-house/

http://www.prefabhomes.co.in/gallery/

http://saipreethiprecastbuilder.com/res ... t-housing/

Kircher !! Hi from Frankfurt,
You cannot find any shop like toom baumarkt in Bangalore.Getting the tools and all necessary items would be bit more difficult.

You can easily find a labor contractor to make the structural work (rohbau). [you have to supply the materials]
Rest of the things you can do it by yourself.

wünsche dir viel Glück !!

Msn1270, I am aware of prefabricated structures but gypsum as a material is something we are not keen to use. It is banned in quite a lot of countries.I have read about Astra, but do they really give practical guidance? I have had a couple of interactions with similar institutions but was largely left disappointed..too bureaucratic. But I will give them a call and see what gives.