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[teaching]

The “Green Casbah” is intended as a culminatation of the principles of a dense, organic urban settlement, sustainable building practices and the integration of the principles of Human Unity on which the Universal Township of Auroville was founded.

DESIGN ELEMENTS AND INSPIRATION:
Attention should be given to the concept of the Casbah, Roger Anger’s Galaxy Plan for residences, and especially to the needs and desires of the current population of Auroville. The unique climate and site conditions should be considered as well. May through August is extremely hot and humid with sporadic intense rainfall. September through February houses a cooler retreiving monsoon, with increasing temperatures on both ends. Sustainable building techniques should be considered: earth construction, green roofs, rainwater collection and wastewater treatment, passive cooling (jali), attention to site conditions, and natural lighting. In addition, this project should attempt a very dense urban fabric while giving special note to lighting, views, circulation, and noise pollution.

GENERAL PROGRAM:
70 units total [15 double rooms, 25 single rooms, 30 studios (25, 2-room studios + 5 single-room studios)
5 Guest Houses in a variety of sizes
Common areas for laundry, activities, kitchen
Galleries, courtyards and terraces
Not more than three levels high