The document discusses the design of a school building and campus in the Sundarbans region of India and Bangladesh. It notes that the Sundarbans is a protected bioreserve and world heritage site. The architect visited the region in September-October 2019 to initiate designs that would utilize sustainable principles and locally available materials like bamboo, jute trees, and clay. An innovative approach is needed due to environmental regulations, disaster risks, and the goal of reducing costs and emissions while supporting the local economy.

1. I wrote a song for everyone…
Credence Clearwater Revival

2. sundarbans
India Bangladesh

3. The region. Its environs, water and soil

8. Earth retainment
Using bamboo and grass
stabilized slope

11. Life span of
bamboo
connections
submerged
in water
5 years

12. a school building structure and its campus to be built from Sustainability
point of view and its principles.
Sundarbans is now a world heritage site ( a protected bio reserve)
I visited the region between 24th Sept. 2019 and 01st Oct. 2019 to assist my client with initiation of designs for their school
campus.
Image: Prabir Haldar (Architect)

13. The present school campus

14. Entrance

23. Local
bamboo
cross
section

24. Oloo roofing (1ft thick using jute tree)

25. Jute tree (for Oloo roofing)

31. JPG-Goran-tree-at-sampling-site-in-the-
Sundarbans_Anish-Bhattacharyya-2

34. Soil and Water Resources of Sundarbans
D. Burman, Manoranjan K., MondalZahirul H.,
KhanAsish K. SutradharFarhana, A. Kamal

35. Building material potential
Locally found
1. Clay
2. Sand
3. Bamboo
4. Jute tree
5. Burnt bricks
Imported material
1. Reinforced concrete
2. Indian patent Stone (IPS or plain concrete)
3. Coarse sand
4. Aggregates
5. Cement
6. Lime
7. Steel and other alloys
Also look at possibilities of
1. Tanim (an extract of mangrove)
2. Rice husk

36. Raised plinths

37. Bamboo supply / yards

39. Another set of skilled people.
Assamese

41. Site location /Sundarbans
• Undisturbed natural habitat
• Disaster prone area (cyclones, flood and earthquakes) and
environmentally sensitive zone
• Saltwater intrusion (present drinking water source is 5kms from the
site)
• High iron and arsenic content
• High salty water levels
• Soil bearing capacity (<100kN/m2) Loamy clay up to 3’ depth
supported on silty soil

42. Why innovative/alternative approach in
Sundarbans
• World Heritage Site – Construction regulations in place.
• Importance of Sundarbans, therefore recognition by the authorities- mainly climate change
and disaster management subjects with the revenue department in the WB state
• Reduced CO2 emission
• Reduced embodied energy (during construction) and energy consumption (during operational life)
• Natural disaster prone
• Employability of local artisan and others around
• Contribute to local economy
• Speed
• quality of construction
• lower maintenance
• Lower cost. Which comes by design and detailing
• Aesthetics (look and feel)
• Health of the occupants