Suhasini Ayer, Principal Architect, Auroville Design Consultants and R Ravindrakumar, Principal, Ravindrakumar Roofing Technology, shed light on aspects of sustainability and construction methodology deployed in crafting the metal, respectively.
![Magnificent Copper Roofscape at the Kaviyoor Temple in Kerala [Cosmic Dance in Stone by Ramu Katakam, 2017]](https://i0.wp.com/insidereview.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kaviyur-roof-1-1.jpg?w=306&h=440&ssl=1)
![The steep copper roof at Koodalmanikyam Koothambalam at Irinjalakuda, Kerala [Cosmic Dance in Stone by Ramu Katakam, 2017]](https://i0.wp.com/insidereview.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Irinjalakuda-Kooth.jpg?w=886&h=440&ssl=1)
The term ‘sustainable’ building materials often gets used synonymously for low embodied energy and low carbon building materials. As a high embodied energy material, metal as a choice for roofing may seem like a rather counter intuitive choice for professionals especially seeking to build sustainably. In areas of difficult soil conditions and zones with seismic activities, the low self-weight of metal roofs allows the foundations and framing structures to be considerably lighter. This goes a long way in lowering the quantity of material required for foundations and superstructure, thus the overall cost of the buildings.
Metal roofs have reflective factors of 65% or more, reducing the heat gain in the building considerably and have emissivity ratings of .85 or greater, allowing the stored heat to be re-radiated up and away from their surfaces, rather than harboured and absorbed by the rest of the structure.
In terms of resilience and longevity of metal roofs, if implemented with a skilled team- these roofs are good for five decades or more if there is no damage due to unforeseen factors.
In Auroville, some of us have been designing and building aluminium (corrugated and non-corrugated sheets) roofing since the late 90s as we had a highly skilled resident metal roof craftsperson who trained a handful of local metal fabricators of grills and gates. The design of the roof shape combines various aspects like the structure, function of the building, economy and timeline along with ascetics of form and proportion. As the heat transfer is high during the day, it is desirable to have good insulation that is adapted with the false ceiling. This also helps with the noise of the rain that can be quite deafening otherwise. In some parts of the world the metal roof is disconnected from the insulation by a maintaining a gap of 4-6 inches allowing for air flow as heat exchange. The anodized sheet develops a weathered patina within one seasonal cycle, making it less reflective to prevent reflected glare to the surrounding, and retaining enough reflectivity to prevent heat gain.
Crafting Metal Roofs
R Ravindrakumar was introduced to the craft by a Frenchman more than a decade ago and ever since, he has been experimenting independently as well as working on several projects alongside architects. Today, he has a team of 15-20 people, all of whom are trained in the various stages involved in the process of construction. The possibilities of metal roofs are many – aluminium, steel, and zinc- apart from copper, and each of these possess innately different properties. Based on their characteristic tensile strengths, the metals are normally rolled out into sheets for roofing and cladding purposes.
Metal Roofs, believes Kumar, unlike the conventional tile-roofing systems have the advantage of ease of customisation.
A well-fabricated metal roof can prove to be economical and a long-term solution- it is low-maintenance, requiring no painting or finishing and all of the metal is recyclable. They can be used as a sheeting in any odd corner of a building. Additionally, the sheet is recyclable as a material and the upkeep is minimal if assembled and insulated well enough.The proposed structure of the roof is the pivotal starting point- the sheet size and the spanning between purlins is based on this.
The distinction between technique and skill is an important one to make when assessing the efficiency of employing ‘craft’ in architecture- while former trains in the ability to perform, the latter is critical to the quality of execution. It is important to establish here that the idea of craft is not so much about a nostalgic connection to a tradition but what it ‘affords’. Endurance is at the core of most craft-based practices while their ability to constantly renew with time is embedded in the innate motivation to ‘make’. Today, several contemporary architecture practices have rediscovered the potential in the embodiment of craftsmanship- the idea of contamination of space with human touch. And it is here that architecture and the crafts find a common ground as a practice in the way it is understood as an extension of the body in the inhabited atmosphere and all that it encompasses- this is what ties us ⊗
SUHASINI AYER is a graduate of ‘Delhi School of Planning and Architecture’; living in Auroville since 1985 and one of the co-founders of the Auroville Centre for Scientific Research; an organisation dedicated to research and experimentation in the field of appropriate building materials and technologies, water management, renewable energy and solar passive/ climatic architecture and sustainable urban planning. As head of the Auroville Design Consultants, she has designed and implemented over 50+ projects in India in the last 25+ years.
R RAVINDRAKUMAR is based out of Auroville, Tamil Nadu and has closely collaborated with several renowned architecture firms based out of Auroville over the years. He is the Principal and Founder of Ravindrakumar Roofing Technology that is actively engaged in training youth in the construction of metal roofs and successfully completing commissioned projects independently.
For any further queries, R Ravindrakumar can be reached at +91 97867 23129
