MUD ARCHITECTURE FOR RESIDENCES IN KERALA
Megha JJ prefabrication etc has conquered mud
15055028
Mangalam School of Architecture and
Planning,
Kottayam, India
[Abstact]- Mud has been the most essential
building material since ancient times. The
material mud was used in a variety of ways to
build walls, floors and even roofs. For
thousands of years it was common in most
parts of the world to build walls using mud
bricks or the wattle and daub, rammed earth
or cob techniques and cover the surfaces
with earthen plaster. Mud is the only one
material fulfills all the criteria to near
perfection which is healthy, durable, low
energy consumption, nature and low
environmental impact for mining,
transportation and construction. Its strength
can be proved by still standing structures from
the past till date. This paper discusses about the
advantages of mud architecture in the context
of residences in Kerala.
[Keywords]- Mud, Soil, Sustainable
I. INTRODUCTION
From Ancient time itself shelter has been a
primary requirement for human beings. People
lived in trees, caves, to protect himself from
climate, wild animals, and natural disasters.
Then he evolved and started making his own
shelter with naturally available materials like
mud, bamboo wood etc. Man learned different
methods to use mud in construction and
developed different techniques like cob, wattle
and daub, rammed earth, adobe, mud blocks,
mud plaster etc. As the result of advancement
in technology, many new
Sharon Joseph
Asst. Professor,
Mangalam School of Architecture and
Planning,
Kottayam, India
materials were introduced like concrete, glass,
steel etc. After the introduction of new building
materials and technologies like Portland
cement, steel, reinforced concrete, glass,
architecture in the modern world. Architecture
involves use of various different construction
materials that require a unique construction
technique. But most of these construction
techniques are energy intensive techniques. All
the natural resources are depleting which has
made it mandatory that we choose materials and
construction systems which require less energy
for its execution. Mud construction system is
less energy intensive and very effective in
different climatic conditions.
Fig.
1 Evolution of Shelter
II. SYNOPSIS
Aim: To find out Advantages of Mud
Architecture in the context of Kerala.
Objective:
 To understand ideology of earth
materials.
 Study of different mud construction
techniques.
 Identify the limitations of mud
architecture and find out methods to
overcome it.
 To identify the possibilities of mud
architecture
Methodology:
 Soil study
 Understanding traditional Earth
construction materials (internet, books,
experts etc.)
 Carrying out case studies (Live and
Literature) at Auroville, Made in Earth
etc.
 Study models and Structural Experiments
 Study of Arch, Vault and Dome
construction techniques
 User Surveys
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  Architect / Expert Surveys and
Questionnaires
Scope:
 Hands on learning and experimentation at
Auroville.
 Trying out new methods to overcome the
identified limitations
 Some construction methods that will be
covered include
o Stacked earth (COB) Fig. 3 Components of Soil
o Pise or rammed earth
o Adobe TYPES OF SOIL
o Wattle & daub method
o Formed earth (Straw Clay)
o Earth filled in
o Compressed earth blocks
o Extruded earth
Sandy Soil Clay Soil Silt Soil
o Cut earth etc.

II.SOIL STUDY
Like concrete contains gravel, sand and cement
as a binder, soil contains gravel, sand, silt, and
clay which act as binders as well. But silt and
clay are not stable under water. They expand Peat Soil Chalk Soil Loam Soil
when wet and shrink when dry forming cracks. Fig. 4 Types of Soil
Hence the purpose of stabilization is to be done Red soil which is rich in Iron Oxide is most
in order to stabilize silt and clay against water. preferred for mud construction
. Typical soil contains 45% minerals, 25% III.MUD CONSTRUCTION
water, 25% air, and 5% organic matter. The TECHNIQUES
minerals consist of sand, silt, and clay, which Fig.
differ in particle size. respect to size. The clay 5
particles produce the sticky consistency in mud.
The higher the clay content, the stickier the mud.

Mud Construction Techniques

Fig. 2 Soil Textural Classes Adobe: It is made from sand, clay, water and
some kind of fibrous or organic material (sticks,
straw and or manure),which the builders shapes
into bricks using frames and dry in sun.

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Compressed Earth Blocks: the soil, raw or
stabilized, is slightly moistened, poured into a
steel press and then compressed either with a V.CASE STUDIES
manual or motorized press. V.i. SIDDHARTHA
Wattle and Daub: Wattle and daub is a Architect : Ar. G Shankar
building material used for making walls, in Location :Muduvanmughal, Trivandrum
which a woven lattice of wooden strips called Orientation : East facing
wattle is daubed with a sticky material usually Area of building : 200 sqm. (2160 sq ft)
made of some combination of wet soil, clay, Site Area : 6070 sqm (1.5 arces)
sand, animal dung and straw. Category : Green building
Rammed earth: Rammed earth is a load
bearing technique where earth is compacted in
successive layers within a formwork.
Cob: Cob is a natural building material made
from subsoil, water, fibrous organic
material (typically straw), and sometimes lime.

Mud Plaster
IV. WORKSHOPS
Mud and Bamboo workshop was conducted by
Habitat technology group in order to provide
hands on experience on natural materials like
mud and simple soil tests were done in order to
determine the soil preferable for construction.
1.The cigar test
Roll a small handful of-soil and add some
water to make it stick together and make it into
a cigar or Sausage shape. Now with the thumb
and forefinger squeeze the end of the cigar
until; it is about a quarter of an inch thick and
go on squeezing and pushing it out of your
palm to see how long it is before it breaks off
and it falls to the floor.
2. The biscuit test
After moistening the soil, make a small fat
biscuit shape and put it to dry thoroughly in the Fig. 8 First Floor Plan
sun.
3. The hand washing test
Play about with your moistened soil until you
are thoroughly dirty and then wash your hands
clean.

Fig. 9 Photo of Siddhartha

The Residence is entirely made of mud. The
outer walls are made from Rammed Earth
Fig. 6 Mud Workshop whereas the inner walls are made up of
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Interlocking Compressed Stabilized Earthen
Blocks. The walls are protected using Mud
Plaster which also adds as an aesthetical
element. The house entirely looks like an living
entity with breathable walls, well lighted and
ventilated interiors with courtyard and cross
ventilation.
V.ii. ASARMULLA
Architect : Ar. Humayun Kabir
Location: Anjapura , Parapanangadi
,Malapuram
Area of building : 2340 sq ft
House is constructed in different levels and
color combination is done in such a way that the
house is erected from mud itself with a theme of
nature within nature. This residence also has an
internal courtyard with keeps the interiors lit
during day time and good ventilation is also
checked. The material used is similar to
Siddhartha with mud blocks and mud plaster.
Fig. 10 Photo of Asarmulla
V.iii. AUROVILLE
The concept of Auroville - an ideal township
devoted to an experiment in human unity. The
Auroville red soil got its colour from iron
oxides, which give excellent properties and
make remarkable building materials. In
Auroville, the earth is stabilised with about 5%
by weight of cement. The lime quality around
Auroville is not high enough to be used.
Fig. 13 Photo of Visitor’s Centre, Auroville
Since then, the value of earth as a building
material has been acknowledged for its
economic advantage, as well as its comfort and
quality, which promotes indigenous and
sustainable development. Today, Auroville can
show a wide variety of earthen projects: public
buildings, schools, apartments and individual
houses.
Most of the projects are built with compressed
stabilised earth blocks (CSEB), as this
technology benefits of half century of research
and development worldwide.
Fig. 14 Photo of Communities, Auroville
AUROVILLE EARTH INSTITUTE
In the intervening years, the Auroville Earth
Institute has become one of the world’s top
centres for excellence in earthen architecture,
working in 35 countries to promote and
transfer knowledge in earth architecture. The
work of the Earth Institute has attempted to
revive traditional skills and to link ancestral
and vernacular traditions of raw earth
construction with the modern technology of
stabilised earth. Compressed Stabilised Earth
Blocks (CSEBs) are made in a manual press
(designed and manufactured in Auroville)
using a mixture of earth with 5%
cement. Manufacture of CSEB requires less
energy and creates less pollution.
Fig. 15 Auroville Earth Institut
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VI. COMPARISON 2. What comes to your mind when you hear
Siddhartha Asarmulla Auroville "Mud Houses"?
Location Trivandrum Parapanangadi Auroville

Type Residence Residence Community The most common responses from people are
Township, 1. Conventional Mud House
Construc Rammed Laterite Mixture of
tion Earth for construction 2. Cool interiors
technolog outer walls CSEB technologies 3. Sustainable
y Rammed
CSEB for Sloping roof Earth 4. Not Strong
inner walls CSEB 5. Kachcha House
Vaulted 6. How long will it stand?
Earth Roof 7. Nature friendly
VI. QUESTIONNAIRES 8. Small mud House
1. Have you seen houses Made of Mud? 9. Old fashioned
2. What comes to your mind when you hear 10. Eco Friendly
mud houses.?
3. According to you, are houses made of mud 3. According to you, are houses made of mud
strong / weak? strong / weak?
4. What do you think can mud houses be
contemporary?
5. Would you like your house to be made up
of Mud?
6. According to you what would be the
disadvantages of residing in a house made
of mud.
7. According to you what would be the Figure7.3.1: Bar Chart showing the age group of people
advantages of residing in a house made of who answered the survey
mud. 4. Are you confident to make your own
VII. OBSERVATIONS residence using mud?
On the basis of the survey conducted among 120
people the following observations were noted
Age Group

Figure7.3.1: Pie Chart showing opinion of people in

making their on residences with mud
5. According to you what would be the
advantages of residing in a house made of
mud.
Figure 7.3.1: Pie Chart showing the age group of people
who answered the survey The most common responses from people are
1 Have you seen houses Made of Mud? 1. Cooler Interiors
2. Thermal Comfort
3. Nature friendly
4. Healthy Environment
5. Cost Effective
6. Less use of Chemicals
7. Comfort
8. Affordable
9. Energy saving
Figure 7.3.1: Pie Chart showing comparison of people 10. Less skilled labors needed
who have seen mud houses or not

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6. According to you what would be the
disadvantages of residing in a house made of
mud.
The most common responses from people are
1. Need maintenance
2. Fungus and Insect attacks
3. Less stable is not strong
4. Old fashioned
5. Rain and dampness
6. Can’t withstand natural calamities
7. Not aesthetically pleasing
8. Not safe
9. Can’t go for more floors
10. Dark Interiors
7. If you don't want to use mud, which other
material/ materials would you use to build
your house?
Figure7.3.1: Bar Chart showing responses of people in
selection of material
VIII. INFERENCE
A house becomes home when it is built with
hearts and love. The material should also be
chosen carefully since it is for the family. In
the past few decades man has forgotten about
any other alternative natural building material.
The only thing trending now is big concrete
structures with steel, large glass panels,
artificial wood etc. It might look modern and
may make your house visually attractive but
only after living in that house the other factors
like thermal comfort, health etc finds
significance. The materials should be chosen
accordingly after understanding the relation
between indoor atmospheres and inhabitants. In
the context with Kerala, which has warm
humid climate. Mud can be the most suitable
material
IX. CONCLUTION
From the following study the following
conclusions could be drawn:
1. Mud is the most environmental friendly
material compared to modern building
materials.
2. Mud is a locally available material
3. In mud construction, minimum energy is
consumed and is a naturally abundant material
4. Recycling of modern materials for building
construction is expensive where as recycling of
soil does not require much energy consumption
5. It is versatile. They can be used for making
walls, facades, floors and roofs as well as for
gardens, terraces and open spaces etc.
X. AKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am extremely grateful towards many
individuals who in many ways assisted and
helped me in the completion of this dissertation.
XI. REFERENCE
-International Journal of Advance Research,
Ideas and Innovations in Technology
-Mud by Lurie Baker
- Building construction illustrated ( Francis D.K
Ching)
- An investigation on the potential of mud as
sustainable building material in the context of
Kerala by M.S Lekshmi Subha Vishnudas and
Deepa G. Nair
- Field Methods for the Analysis of Mud Brick
Architecture
-http://www.earthbuilding.org.nz
-http://www.archinom.com
-http://www.arch daily.com
-http://www.auroville earth institute.com
-http://www.made in earth.com
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