Udupi: Sudhir Acharya - Building an Eco-Friendly World with Rapidwalls
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Sep 18: Once upon a time, the word 'green' meant just a colour. Today, it takes a whole new meaning, with society leaning towards a healthier environment and ways to help save the earth. One way to support an environmentally conscious lifestyle is with green building, wherein architectects are looking to find methods of construction that are more eco-friendly.
Sudhir Acharya - principle architect hailing from Udupi district through Hastha construction has come up with the concept of using 'rapidwalls' in construction projects. With a combination of civil and architecture engineering which is very rare mixture, he has introduced this unique method wherein a house can be ready with the use of just four panels, which means faster overall construction time and reduced workforce.
Acharya, who is from Bramageri in Udupi district, completed his PUC from Poorna Prajna College and then joined Manipal Polytechnic for diploma in civil engineering. He started his professional career as civil engineer in 1994. This initial exposure motivated him to become an architect. He then joined MIT for Bachelor of Architecture (B Arch). He has more than 12 years of experience in construction as well as in the architecture field in India and Middle East and has vast experience in planning, construction, conceptualization, autoCAD drawings, 3D imaging, vastu concepts, organization and implementation of various thoughts and strategies to meet client demands. Handling multistoried projects, interior layouts, traffic junction designing and documentation of heritage buildings is his special interest. He is the proprietor of Srusti consulting engineering bureau.
He had an absolute zeal for learning new concepts in the architectural context, which drove him to do research on alternative building solutions, that is, alternative mining materials, labour etc. He has even attended course on green building concepts. At present he is visiting faculty at Manipal University and is also pursuing his masters in architecture from Manipal University. He is a permanent consultant for Hastha constructions through Srusti consulting engineering bureau. His many projects are in progress and many more are in line. Within a short span of time he has gained a good number of client base. Acharya moves on with the motto that belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.
His first project using rapidwall is at its completion stage at Rajeevnagar, Manipal, a ground-level residence of K P Acharya, an employee at Godrej Company, Mumbai. It would be the first project for RCF for public sector. The Manipal project would be the model house for green building using rapidwall technology. Hastha’s ongoing projects are at Bramhavar, Mathura- U.P- Gods work a charitable trust, an ayurveda hospital and 380 villas, Konkan Railway, Goa, Sulab Sauchaley, resort and training centre.
These panels have been recommended to the state government for their housing and sanitation projects and recommendation would be done to the Goa state government also.
Rapidwall panels are moulded from high grade gypsum plaster and glass-fibre rovings. The panels are cut in the factory to design specifications to a maximum tolerance of 5 millimetres, and then tranferred on to collapsible frames called stillages.
What's more, this method of construction is resistant to sound, water, rot, termite and even fire, cyclone, hurricane and earthquake.
The procedure in the construction process is easy. Once the drawings are submitted to Acharya's Srusti engineering bureau, it will be taken up as per the requirement and order placed for panels. A strong foundation base is set up along with iron rods, the panels are placed between the rods and through plastering and bolts the joint locking is done. As per IIT norms these panels can be used as compound walls and even for 10-storey buildings. Austrailia, China, Oman are already putting rapidwalls to good effect.
The concept is especially useful in hot tropical regions, as the rapidwalls are highly resistant to heat. For instance, if the outer heat is 100 degree Celsius the heat transferred through the wall is only 57 degree Celsius.
Features at a Glance:
Time taken for construction – 20-30 days
Cost – 1000 sq ft × 1000 Rs (40% saving on the construction of the building, it eliminates the need for bricks, blocks, timber and steel wall frames and plasterboard linings).
Labour requirement – 2-3 % less than conventional building
One sq ft rapidwall panel weighs 40 kg.
Savings done of resources: By using rapidwall of 12×3 metre (thickness 120 mm) 10,000 litres of water is saved, along with 86 cft bricks, 280 cft mud, 0.8 ton cement and 2.9 ton of carbon dioxide.