[GBlist] Assistance (not financial)

[sanjay jain <sanjayjainuk@yahoo.co.uk>]

Hi

I'm a new member to this list, interested to find out
about new and green building methods, I came across
this group after doing a search for 'straw bale'.

I am looking for assistance for a building project in
Bhuj, India. You may be aware there was a massive
earthquake there in January. I was there in the summer
volunteering for an organisation (Veerayatan) that was
operating temporary schools.... they have plans to
build a boarding school for about 500 kids... it's for
this that I am asking for advice....

Unfortunately, the people in Bhuj are rebuilding their
homes in the same old ways (with some modification in
some cases) using reinforced concrete, except that
they are making the buildings 'stronger'.... the
problem with this approach is that whilst there will
be less casualties in another earthquake, the
buildings when they crack need to rebuilt and the
building materials are not recyclable...

I am not an engineer or an architect, but I would have
thought a steel frame (wood is not available) would be
better, with perhaps straw bale walls. In an
earthquake the structure is less likely to fall and in
the event it does, there is more that can be recycled.

The project funds are being raised at the moment and a
25 acre site has been donated for this residential
school. It would be wonderful to use this opportunity
to introduce the people in India to greener methods of
construction.

Could I have some comments on this and/or suggestions
for where to find more information.... If there are
construction firms/organisations/individuals
interested in tendering for, or assisting the project
we would love to hear from you. 

Thanks

Sanjay Jain
(London UK) 



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