Construction has started on a new Active Building demonstrator in the village of Khuded in Maharahstra, India.
The solar-powered building is based on the Active Classroom and was designed with support from SPECIFIC. It will show how the design concept can be adapted to an entirely different setting and climate.
The building will be the first demonstrator for the SUNRISE project as part of their Solar-OASIS programme to deliver solar-powered community buildings for rural populations in the Global South.
It will be constructed offsite using a rapidly deployable, steel-based, modular system called Nest-In, supplied by Tata Steel in India.
Solar energy will come from an integrated BIPVco roof and battery storage. This will be used by lighting, water treatment, sanitation, agricultural activities, and power points for residents to charge batteries (such as for phones and lamps), thus reducing the need to burn fuels.
The people of Khuded have been involved throughout the design process, ensuring that the building and technologies are both wanted and needed by the community. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences worked with local NGO Keshav Shrusti to carry out activities with residents and compile a prebuild survey report. A local committee will be set up to maintain the building.
Head over to the SUNRISE website to read more.
