As I write, glimpses of my visit to Auroville in 2010 engulf me. During that short visit, the place intrigued me, as it has intrigued everyone. An experimental town that was established on a spiritual philosophy of peace, harmony, knowledge and upliftment, 51 years down the line, Auroville has emerged as the universal town, offering emphatic lessons in unity in diversity across nationalities, cultures and castes; in focussing on one’s inner self, spirit and the community; in devising technologies and materials that belong to the earth, in redefining ways of sustenance, and enjoying unabashed freedom.

In the case of its architecture, it is globally symbolic in alternative ways of building, using alternative sources of energy, materials and technology. Whether it is local materials, such as brick, bamboo, wood, sand, thatch, cement and mud, or building technologies and construction practices, such as compressed earth blocks in load-bearing structures, ferro-cement technology in roofs and interior fittings, or the diverse ways of roofing including pitched, vaulted and dome; architecture here rises from the soil and belongs to it. Apart from which, the town scores in protecting the environment in terms of wasteland reclamation, waste-water treatment, and afforestation.

Workers are trained in the old and new appropriate construction practices Image Credit: Andreas Deffner; Courtesy of Dhruv Bhasker

The town uses materials that belong to the earth, as seen in this structure with coloured oxide plaster Image Credit: Andreas Deffner; Courtesy of Dhruv Bhasker

Unique experimentations in design, technology and symbolism, and an integration of architecture with nature have been the hallmark of Auroville architecture, a prime example being the glistening Matrimandir, a solar-powered structure that took 37 years to build. From this central locus, the town radiates out in four zones of cultural, residential, international and industrial activities. Whether it was Roger Anger, the French architect who designed Auroville, or the numerous architects that Auroville houses today from across nationalities, the town is a hub for those keen on experimenting, innovating and implementing applied research in their work.

Notably, the Auroville community is not looking at encouraging or popularising the town for tourism - neither for travellers nor for architects, and hence, most of the architectural projects are not open for visit either. The town is focussed on doing its own things, finding local solutions for their problems using local resources, being a part of an experiment in history, without wanting to project themselves as role models. However, it passionately trains and shares information on architecture through platforms, such as the Auroville Earth Institute, Auroville Bamboo Centre and Auroville Building Centre. Today, when the idea of sustainability has globally taken centre stage, Auroville ends up becoming a model because of its eco-friendly, cost-effective and vernacular architecture. Having enjoyed international acclaim, there, however, still exist discussions on its success/failure and the feasibility of the replication of the model in other contexts.

Matrimandir – the focus of the town Image Credit: Apurva Bose Dutta

In recent times, architecture has come up to become a profession that has fallen in the trap of the need of propagation. So, what is it that makes architects come down to a town that houses only 3100 residents? Is it the free spiritedness, where one is not bounded by laws and has the freedom to explore, invent, discover and experiment where even the laws of construction and permits are issued by a working committee of residents and not a central authority? Is it the need to be self-sufficient and self-sustainable and stay closer to mother earth and create a life where dependence on anything artificial is not an option?

A few architects associated with Auroville share their views on the township, what sets it apart, and how architecture and design have come to redefine it and vice versa.

Mona Doctor-Pingel, Founder, Studio Naqshbandi, Auroville

Mona Doctor-Pingel