Ep. 264 - Mud as a material with Vinu Daniel

Vinu Daniel joins us on Audiogyan. He is an Architect and did his B. Arch in 2005 from The College of Engineering, Trivandrum. After that, he worked with Auroville Earth Institute for the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Post-Tsunami construction. On returning from Pondicherry in 2007 he started 'Wallmakers', an architectural practice that deals with sustainable and cost-effective architecture. Mud bricks, recycled materials, eco-friendly methods of construction, and apt utilization of natural resources shaped Vinu's design philosophy. We’ll try and document some of his thoughts on mud as a material and what is truly sustainable.

Questions

1. According to BV Doshi, cement is just another material. It depends on how we use it. What’s wrong with cement?
2. What’s so beautiful about mud as a material? It gives a lot of warmth. What’s the extent to which Mud as a material can be exploited? Can we build a skyscraper with mud?
3. In UI design, we have an atomic theory for building design systems. In your case, is brick the foundation block? How do you build foundations?
4. At Wallmakers, how do you ensure Mud is sturdy and stable? How do you ensure that waste doesn’t spoil the architecture in a long run? Tell us a little bit about Debris Wall and Shuttered Debris Wall.
5. “Sustainable” is now an overused term. It loses its actual meaning over time. While you have been practicing it pretty religiously / judiciously. What does it mean to you? What is truly sustainable?
6. When we are focused on a particular agenda/approach, we tend to have less focus on other dynamics. For eg: If everything is about sustainability, What about architecture that invests in creating space for conversations? (Like Correa) - How do you balance them in your work?
7. What is the long-term future of housing, shelter, and security according to you? (Do you see any flip side to the name “Wallmakers”?)

Reference reading

1. https://www.wallmakers.org
2. https://architectuul.com/architect/vinu-daniel
3. https://www.instagram.com/ar.vinudaniel/?hl=en
4. https://www.gqindia.com/live-well/content/indias-most-radical-architect-vinu-daniel-is-getting-even-more-radical
5. https://www.stirworld.com/think-columns-vinu-daniel-feels-at-home-with-the-brick
6. https://www.beautifulhomes.com/magazine/lifestyle/features/architect-vinu-daniel-creates-sustainable-homes-that-look-good-a.html
7. https://www.designpataki.com/videos/sustainable-design-practices-with-architect-vinu-daniel/
8. https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/vinu-daniel-sustainable-architect-participates-in-exhibition-on-climate-change-our-time-on-earth-in-barbican/article65353319.ece
9. https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/enfvm/-we-must-give-back-to-the-site-says-wallmakers-founder-vinu-daniel.html