Welcome to Sacred Groves!

Sacred Groves is a community in Auroville, India. We strive continually to bring down the barriers between the earth and the now toxic building processes employed in modern times. We believe in an ecologically balanced and sustainable model of construction and have been researching on the endless possiblities in ecological development since our conception. Sacred Groves has a unique perspective to look at any problems faced by us during construction, we strive to achieve the perfect balance between the building and its ecological surroundings. The work at Sacred groves is majorly powered by volunteers and Architectural interns and some hired labour from the neighbouring villages. While creating jobs for the locals, we also help Architects and students of Architecture better understand the materials we work with and empower them to be able to bring their wonderful ideas to life.

We offer hands-on Workshops on varied construction techniques taught by our experienced faculty. All our Workshops are open to all (for now) and do not require for the participants to have construction training before-hand. look at the Workshops section for more details.

Get in Touch

Upcoming Workshops:

3 DAYS INTENSIVE HANDS-ON “RAW EARTH”  

Sacred Groves is organizing a 3 day intensive hands-on  “RAW EARTH” from 28-30 April  2023 open to all.

This 3 day intensive Workshop focuses on building with cost efficient, environment-friendly and sustainable building material, especially appropriate for our climate with the world’s oldest and widely used building material mud.

You can learn how to build your house using Earth Crete as foundation by reusing demolition debris, walling techniques like Adobe, Cob, Wattle & Daub and finishing it with mud plaster and Lime Plaster

Day 01

09:30-10:30 Breakfast
10:30-11:30 Introduction to the works, philosophy and site tour of Sacred Groves
11:30-13:30 Introduction to building with raw earth, soil test and preparation of mixes for Adobe and Cob
13:30-14:30 Lunch Break
14:30-16:30 Making Adobe Bricks and Laying Cob

Day 02

09:30-10:30 Breakfast
10:30-13:30 Building foundation/wall using Earthcrete
13:30-14:30 Lunch Break

14:30-16:30 Making Frames for a Wattle & Daub Structure, weaving the wattle and filling the daub.

Day 03

09:30-10:30 Breakfast
10:30-13:30 Preparation and application of Mud Plaster
13:30-14:30 Lunch Break

14:30-16:30 Preparation and application of Lime Plaster

List of Tasks during the workshop

  1. Adobe Bricks
  2. Cob wall
  3. Mud Plaster
  4. Lime Plastering
  5. Earth Crete
  6. Wattle & Daub

Note:

for local commute in Auroville, you may hire a bicycle from the visitor’s Centre Cycle Kiosk or rent mopeds or Scooters from Local vendors.

Itinerary is subject to change based on bookings /availabilities/weather conditions. We shall keep you informed.

Course Fee: Rs.5500
(Inclusive of Material Costs, Breakfast, Lunch, refreshments and taxes)

6% off For buddy bookings of minimum 3 ppl
10% off for Group Bookings of more than 5 ppl

40% off for Aurovillians & Savi Volunteers

Accommodation:  We are not providing accommodation, however we can suggest you  nearby guest houses  (would roughly cost you around Rs 350-400/day 2 sharing)

Register here

in case of any queries, please feel free to contact us at 9488830338 or email us at sacredgroves@auroville.org.in

Reach Us:

Feel free to contact us – for work, Internships & volunteering, Workshop enquiries or to share any ideas or information with the Sacred Groves Project in any way you want!

We can also arrange customized workshops for large groups and institutions. We could teach you the different earth building techniques and natural plasters

email us at : sacredgroves@auroville.org.in

Call us at: 9488830338