Stone and lime as construction material in architecture

Stone and lime was used as construction material to build forts, havelis and houses before cement came into use in 19thcentury. My grandmother used to say that our home is cooler as it’s constructed in stone and lime. It felt so too! Over the years I unintentionally observed the City Palace, old havelis and many more such buildings in and around Udaipur; and forgot all that during my years at architecture school. Working with Architect Parul Zaveri and Nimish Patel revived the lost material and its importance. They have worked a lot with stone, brick and lime mortar.

After reading more, I was fascinated by the longevity of the material. Imagine a building that lives for centuries! So, unlike brick and cement, stone and lime grow stronger over years and stays intact for centuries. That is hundreds of years, true Legacy for future. Other buildings get built in similar timelines but the process is different. If one looks at the bigger picture, the pain and patience are rewarding.

During construction of the Barn we learnt a lot about making stone building with lime. Stone is from a local quarry whereas; lime lumps or Chuna as we call it, was bought from nearby areas. The lime was soaked in a pit for a month before being used as mortar. We mixed Methi, Neem leaves, Googal and Gud in the slurry. The application is similar to cement mortar, except for the setting time.

PROCESS

• Source Lime(halka) from Kiln near Delwara.
• Create waterproof pit in ground near construction area.
• Source Lime(halka) from Kiln near Delwara.
• Create waterproof pit in ground near construction area.
• Add 25 bags of lime( 1 bag is 25kg approx.).
• Add 2kg Methi, 20kg sada hua gila gud(liquid jaggery), approx 1 kg neem leaves.
• Keep mixing with fawda for 15-20 days.
• Create mixing space with bricks.
• Add 7-8kg sieved sand to 2-3 tagari lime slurry.
• Mix properly (khancho) and create stock(thappi).
• Leave for 3-4 days.
• Add water and use as required.

However there are certain limitations-

1. People who can work with lime as it is caustic to bare hands and feet.
2. Processing the material.
3. Time.

Over the years we have developed a network of people who can procure, work and build with stone and lime. They are good with stone masonry, lime mortar and plaster preparation and Aaraish work. Aaraish is the beautiful lime finish one finds in old buildings; it is glossy smooth and pale white homogeneous surface. Earlier it took one year to soak lime for Aaraish work, now we have aggregates that can do it in a month.

Yesterday, I met Ar Meenakshi from Puvidham Learning Centre, Tamilnadu. They are doing amazing work in teaching children about sustainable living practices. She has worked elaborately in mud and bricks with lime used for pointing plastering and to give strength to mud mortar. The sustainable practice of using available organic materials builds a cleaner and greener future. Currently, we are working on farmhouses built in stone and lime mortar. Looking forward to build more of this timeless material!

“The design should reflect its time, place and people; but desire for timelessness!”