{"id":13392,"date":"2021-08-27T15:26:02","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T09:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/media.biltrax.com\/?p=13392"},"modified":"2022-02-26T15:46:13","modified_gmt":"2022-02-26T10:16:13","slug":"st-george-orthodox-church-an-edifice-of-earthy-materials-ancient-techniques-and-historic-significance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sh040.global.temp.domains\/~vitamind\/biltrax.mediacontent\/st-george-orthodox-church-an-edifice-of-earthy-materials-ancient-techniques-and-historic-significance\/","title":{"rendered":"St.George Orthodox Church: An edifice of earthy materials, ancient techniques and historic significance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A remnant of Kerala\u2019s history and culture, the 400 year old St.George Orthodox Church witnessed years of dereliction and encroachment. To restore this ancient monument built in 1615 AD to its former glory, Wallmakers<\/a> got on board. The Kochi based firm explored the possibilities of earth architecture and the historic significance of arches and vaults in religious built forms. The design of the church emerged through a series of dialogues between the masons, architects and clients. Taking inspiration from the symbols of eastern Christianity, mud took the centre stage in this contemporary edifice.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Built for a small religious community of Kerala, the church demanded substantial negotiation and an exploratory spirit from the architect to realize this dream. Unlike local Kerala structures supporting  pitched roofs, St. George Orthodox Church stands out with its arches and domes. The team says, \u201cMost traditional buildings in Kerala have pitched roofs, but being the result of a foreign religion, the churches were always constructed in different styles. The architecture of this church which was built on the existing foundation of the old church builds on the imagery of historic monuments.\u201d Rammed earth and compressed blocks became key components of the structure. The Nubian arches were constructed and stabilized using earth blocks. The altar and the aisles are supported by flying buttresses, built without shuttering. The team was inspired by the works of Tadao Ando and enveloped the central space with light filtering through the cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Interior View of the alter.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
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    The light filters through the cross in the central space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Rammed earth and compressed blocks became key components of the structure. The altar and the aisles are supported by flying buttresses, built without shuttering.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    The masons received training to build with compressed earth blocks using the Nubian technique and a chain study method for stabilization. The Nubian technique is an old construction approach that involves masonry using earth blocks and mud mortar to create a wide range of arches, domes and vaults. It was reinstated by architect Hassan Fathy in the 20th century. It works on the principle that the blocks adhere to each other with earth as a glue. The dy blocks suck the water and clay of the glue and bind together. It is essential to keep the blocks thin, to maintain a high sticking area\/weight ratio. The Catenary (chain-study) method helps in stabilizing the correct arch shape before the execution. Antonio Gaudi used this method in the early 20th century to define the shape assumed by a freely suspended chain. The catenary method gives the exact and ideal curve of the line of thrust, which represents the line of compressive stress in the arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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