Revolutionary forest restoration project promises to save the planet and transform communities!

The Lodsi community project for Forest Essentials is nestled in the Himalayan foothills, along the banks of the river Ganges, in Rishikesh, India. The design brief stipulated by the client outlined the construction of a manufacturing facility for a modern skincare company that focuses on reviving the ancient science of Ayurveda. The brand’s philosophy of infusing ancient wisdom with contemporary aesthetics presented the design team with an opportunity to adapt vernacular construction techniques to create a contemporary production facility.

The design approach and development of the facility were highly specific to the site’s topography, climate, and immediate context. It has been designed in a manner that does not exceed the footprint of the previously existing structure. Furthermore, the location of the site and the limited availability of resources determined the budgetary and building constraints for the project. Therefore, the firm set out to achieve a net-zero and energy-efficient building through an integrated design approach resulting in a free-running and off-grid production unit.

The built form draws inspiration from the traditional Garwahli ‘kholi’ (house). A rectilinear volume oriented along the East-West axis has been planned with a central entry that divides the facility into two parts. Functions that require a cooler environment (herb grinding, packaging, and storage) are located on the upper floor, whereas the preparatory functions with high internal heat gain are located on the lower floor. The North-South-oriented butterfly roof form allows large openable windows that allow the prevailing North-East and South-East wind for ventilation, with 80% naturally day-lit spaces and unobstructed views of the valley. The high volume of space with operable clerestory windows enforces Bernoulli’s principle and moderates indoor temperatures. A central light-well forms a multi-purpose communal space. This also doubles up as mother and child wellness camps for students post-school.

Passive design strategies and indigenous construction techniques resulted in a strong architectural expression that contextually blends in and builds community pride. Façade shading, window-to-wall ratio and building materials were optimised to ensure a high-thermal mass façade resulting in an energy-efficient building envelope with an EPI of 38kWh/m2/year. A solar roof generating 55kWp offsets the facility’s requirements and creates a surplus to supply back to the grid, hence rendering the design ‘Energy+’. A site-specific rainwater collection, storage tank and treatment system, and an effluent treatment plant offset the water requirements. Waste materials at the site have been repurposed and used, e.g., reclaimed wooden rafters as light fixtures, waste purlin sections as tube light holders, stone chisels as door handles, re-bar as wash basin pedestals, and others. Any organic by-product is reused or composted. This project is net-zero on energy, water, and waste. The planning incorporated the existing ‘gaushala’ (cow shed) to produce milk-based products.

Sixty-five villagers built the project, and the building supports 45% of the village households directly and the entire village indirectly. The use of vernacular materials, techniques, and village labour forms the ethos of the facility, making it “A Project for the locals, built by the locals and for the employment of the locals.” The Lodsi Community Project addresses sociocultural and economic sustainability. It is an example of decentralised development in the post-pandemic world. This project stayed functional through most of the pandemic, and we believe this is the exemplar for future growth across India.

The project also provides employment opportunities for local people

Waste purlin sections as tube light holders

The stone chisels door handles and re-bar as wash basin pedestals

Architects: Morphogenesis

Area: 10000 ft²

Year: 2019

Photographs: Noughts & Crosses LLP

Lead Architects: Ar. Sonali Rastogi, Ar. Aarushi Juneja

Contractor: Abdul Constructions

Landscape Architects: Morphogenesis

Structure Engineers: Mr. Suneet Prasad

City: Lodsi

Country: India