Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing woody plant. It grows approximately 7.5 to 40 cm a day. Bamboo grows three times faster than most other species. Commercially important species of bamboo usually mature in four or five years time, after which multiple harvests are possible every second year, for up to 120 years in some species.

1. Construction of Environment & Child Friendly (E&CF) Anganawadi
Centres with GBC (Green Building Concept) Approach- in the midst of
Mysore Range Forest Tribal Area.
Design, Consultation, Supervision:
NIE-CREST, (Centre for Renewable energy & sustainable technologies), The National Institute Of Engineering, Mysore
Tribal Anganwadi construction using Bamboo Technologies
by
Mysore Nirmithi Kendra, Mysore. Contact : Manjunath, Project Director.e-mail:
mnkmys@gmail.com
Design , Supervision& Technical support: NIE-CREST (Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable
Technologies), NIE, Mananthavady road, Mysore, India. Contact : Shamsundar , Head, NIE-CREST. NIE,
Mysore. sham@nie.ac.in
Architect : Balachandran :0821-4269334. E-mail: balachandhranc@gmail.com
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2. Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing woody
plant. It grows approximately 7.5 to 40 cm a
day. Bamboo grows three times faster than
most other species. Commercially important
species of bamboo usually mature in four or
five years time, after which multiple harvests
are possible every second year, for up to 120
years in some species.
Tribal Anganwadi construction using Bamboo Technologies
by
Mysore Nirmithi Kendra, Mysore. Contact : Manjunath, Project Director.e-mail: mnkmys@gmail.com
Design , Supervision& Technical support: NIE-CREST (Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable
Technologies), NIE, Mananthavady road, Mysore, India. Contact : Shamsundar , Head, NIE-CREST. NIE,
Mysore. sham@nie.ac.in
Architect : Balachandran :0821-4269334. E-mail: balachandhranc@gmail.com
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Bamboo has a long and well-established tradition as a building
material throughout the world’s tropical and sub-tropical
regions. It is a renewable and versatile resource, characterized
by high strength and low weight, and is easily worked using
simple tools which come in handy in a remote tribal locality.
Bamboo has a huge potential of driving an alternative green
economy in the construction Industry. It can promote local
economy by replacing steel in many aspects of the building.
Realising this potential to spur decentralized and inclusive growth in the country,
Nirmithi Kendra have recently started promoting Bamboo in their projects, wherever it is relevant.
One such project, initiated by Mysore DC Smt. Shika, is the Anganwadis for tribal people, sponsored by the
Integrated Tribal Development Agency. The Anganwadi structures are being constructed in the forest using
Bamboo technologies, with Design, Ideation & technical support from NIE-CREST (Center for Renewable Energy
and Sustainable Technologies), Mananthavady road, NIE, Mysore.
Capacity 25-30 students
Area 64Sq.mt
Location Clean space in the hamlet with good access for
all
Structure Bamboo & Mud structure with simple joining
techniques
Modular components
Material
sourcing
Locally available construction-quality bamboo
(Size 80mm to 120mm dia)
Stabilized mud blocks made out of local soil

4. S. No. Item
1
Bamboo & MUD based Anganwadi
Building
2 Rainwater Harvesting
3
Energy solutions- Fuel efficient cook
stove + solar PV lighting.
4 Integrated Gardening
The entire building from foundation to the built-structure (64 sq.m) is being constructed using Bamboo
harvested from the same region and treated on the construction site itself.
Untreated bamboo is prone to borer and other insects attack and once treated, bamboo structures can stay for
more than a life time. The walls are made of bamboo mesh covered with stabilized mud. The key aspect of this
project is the utilization of local material, knowledge and skill wherever possible for better empowerment and
participation of the local tribal communities.

5. To ensure that the Anganwadi is effectively utilised by the local community, Nirmithi Kendra is providing a
simple, maintenance free solar system and a rainwater harvesting system that would cater to the water and
energy needs of the community. Also, a ‘live fence’ around the structure is being created by growing locally
available plants and shrubs. A small ‘kitchen garden’ too is provided that would help in producing fresh
vegetables and greens for the daily cooking in the Anganwadi for the children. An amphitheatre setup near the
Anganwadi building would help inculcate art and theatre skills in the children. It’ll also provide a space for
interaction for people in the local community. This project is being developed to be a model unit that can be
emulated elsewhere. For more details, please contact architect Balachandran 0821-4269334.

9. Rainwater Harvesting System (Total capacity - 3000
litres)