Centre For Building Biology

Out here at No: 1, Gaia Garden in Auroville, things move at a slightly different pace than in the city. The Centre For Building Biology is located in a spot that feels more like a garden than an office, which suits us just fine. We spend our time thinking about how buildings affect people and the earth, but in a very hands-on way. It’s not just theory; there’s usually some mud or lime being mixed nearby. The space is open and airy, which is necessary when you live in this climate. We have a lot of books and drawings scattered around the workspace. People from the community often drop by to talk about their own building projects or to ask about natural materials. It’s a very informal setup. We don’t wear suits or have big meetings with slides. Most of our work involves looking at how local materials can be used better. Sometimes it’s hot and the fans are barely keeping up, but that’s part of living and working in Auroville. We focus on the practical side of making structures that breathe. It’s a lot of trial and error and looking at how traditional methods can still work today. We aren't a big institution, just a group of people at Gaia Garden interested in better ways to build. It’s quiet, green, and there is always something interesting happening in the workshop. We just take it one day at a time, trying to figure out what works best.