Hut-to-Hut Concept in Karnataka, India by Rintala Eggertsson Architects

Article source: Rintala Eggertsson Architects

The hut was developed in a design- and building workshop with students from the University of Science andTechnology in Trondheim following an international seminar about the future of eco-tourism in the Western Ghats region in India.  The main aim was to find solutions which would benefit the local population specifically and the environment of the region in general.

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

• Architects: Rintala Eggertsson Architects
• Project: Hut-to-Hut Concept
• Location: Kagala, Karnataka, India.
• Photography: Pasi Aalto
• Measures (LxWxH): 21 x 6,6 x 4,5 meters 
• Client: Panchabhuta foundation. 
• Design-/building team: Sami Rintala, Pasi Aalto, GunillaBandolin,RobinBelven, EinarSyversen, Helder Matos, Ida Mosand, Monica BellikaEsaiassen, Kristin Rønnestad, Marta Correa, Moritz Kerschbaum, Olav Kildal, Jonny Klevstad, Karoline Førsund and Dagur Eggertsson. 
• Collaborators: Norwegian University of Science and  Technology (NTNU), Eden Project, Loowatt Ltd., BuroHappold, Annapurna Garimella, Suresh Heblikar, Jim O’Donnell, SujataGoel, KalidasShetty, Talavane Krishna, ArnunBalakrishnan and Murali Krishna.
• Software used: Drew this project on site with pencil on paper and with chalk on blackboard, (and pieces of timber) and based on the material from the local producers. In the end, drew the whole thing with sketchup just to test it, but  it is mainly drawn and built by hand.

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto

The concept was to make the hut as environmentally friendly as possible by using locally produced, materials and renewable energy sources.   This would then simplify both production and maintenance of the buildings in the long run.

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto

 The organization is based on the local building tradition with a cluster of houses which compose a shaded courtyard situation where people can gather.  One, two or more buildings can be built next to already existing dwellings or erected separately to form an individual cluster of buildings.  Introducing an orthogonal traffic system in the building, one can add several of these buildings together to form a more urban setting in the situation where that is feasible.

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto

 The hut represents a possibility for the local population to invest in the growing environmentally conscious segment of the tourist market while maintaining their traditional culture and lifestyle. The building is totally off-grid.  It has solar panels on the roof producing enough energy for the future inhabitants and a composting latrine which produces biogas enough for one household.

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy © Pasi Aalto 

Image Courtesy Rintala Eggertsson Architects 

Image Courtesy Rintala Eggertsson Architects 

Image Courtesy Rintala Eggertsson Architects 

Image Courtesy Rintala Eggertsson Architects 

Image Courtesy Rintala Eggertsson Architects 

Image Courtesy Rintala Eggertsson Architects 

Image Courtesy Rintala Eggertsson Architects

Tags: India, Karnataka

Categories: Building, Workshop

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