Meet the best friends de-carbonizing the construction sector, one (mud) brick at a time.
Rosie Paul and Sridevi Changali lead an all-woman architecture firm in Bangalore, India, focused on using traditional materials such as mud to build sustainably in India and beyond.
The built environment is responsible for almost 40% of global CO2 emissions. The use of materials such as cement and steel create a massive carbon footprint, both in production and transport.
Can mud be the solution? Architects like Rosie and Sri are reviving raw-earth construction to build sustainable structures that can withstand extreme weather events such as flash floods and intense heat. At the same time, they’re championing more women in architecture and training more women to be stone masons on site.
The magic of mud? Its breathable nature allows moisture into the home, improving indoor air quality and avoiding buildup of damp and mold which cement traps and incubates. Mud walls have a high thermal mass which means they slowly absorb heat from solar radiation and store it, releasing it at night in cooler temperatures. This reduces the need for air conditioning units, which consume large amounts of electricity and contain refrigerants that are potent greenhouse gas emissions.
Watch and learn from these inspiring women how various construction techniques using mud can help you too build a sustainable home.
00:00 Saving the world, one mud brick at a time? Meet Masons Ink
01:00 Making mud bricks: India's techniques and traditions
02:19 Giving back to local communities
02:56 Working with male masons on site and bridging the gender gap
03:42 The surprising benefits of cow dung in construction
04:18 Best friends taking on the world: The origins of Masons Ink
04:49 Leading an all-woman architecture firm
05:37 The Hobbit House project: Sindhoor's story
06:41 A zero waste strategy
07:42 The magic of mud
08:12 Mud techniques using sacking to create large format bricks
08:51 Mud versus cement
09:33 The proper use of mud: busting the myths
09:57 Climate change and the need to build resilient housing
10:15 Exploring the facts: carbon emissions and our built environment
10:28 The two main culprits? Cement and steel
10:56 The health benefits of organic homes - the need for more research
11:12 Traditional systems of mud construction: The healing power of mud
11:44 Bringing on more women masons to construction sites
13:22 Questioning the silent "no", and an inclusive approach to gender equality
14:14 The expectations for women: traditional versus modern India
15:15 Seeing the finished product: Thomas's dream home
#Sustainability #ClimateAction #Mud #India #Architecture #HomeDesign #ZeroWaste #Eco