Understand Your Materials, Master Your Build

Before you can build a wall or a roof, you must first understand the earth, lime, and bamboo that form it. This foundational course is the most important first step in your natural building journey, focusing on the five primary materials that form the core of India’s traditional architecture: mud or stone, bamboo or wood, lime, pozzolanic additives, and plant-based admixtures.

This course goes beyond simple instructions to connect you with the very soul of your materials, drawing from centuries of wisdom. You will learn how these five elements, when understood and used with care, can create strong, breathable, and sustainable structures, from the humblest hut to the grandest palace.

What You Will Master in This Package

• How to properly identify, test, and amend local soil for construction.
• The complete lime cycle, from burning in a kiln to slaking and its various uses.
• How to select, harvest, and treat bamboo using traditional, chemical-free methods.
• The role of pozzolanic materials like Surkhi in creating strong, durable mixes.
• The secrets of traditional Indian admixtures, from plant-based polymers to natural binders.
• The 'Jagrat' (Awake) concept, helping you build a sensory connection to your materials.  

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Course Curriculum

This package contains the six essential chapters that form the bedrock of the "Back Home" syllabus.

1.1 Introduction to Natural Building

• Evolution of Shelters
• Ancient Textbooks
• Age-old Structures
• Traditional Shelter making system
• Where does Thannal's knowledge come from?
• Why did this system change?
• How is it well suited for each place?
• Impact of returning to Natural Building
• Jagrat (awake): When living in a mud house, the five senses will interact with the natural materials in the physical world.

1.2 Mud

• What is Soil?
• Ancient text knowledge
• Components of soil
• How to procure soil to examine the components?
• Mud Tests
• Feeling with Hands
• Cigar Test
• Ball drop test
• Mud biscuits or cookies
• Mud Bottle Test
• Mud Sampling
• Conclusion & Jagrat
• References & What’s Next

1.3 Bamboo

• What is Bamboo?
• Bamboo is not a wood but a variety of grass. 
• Ancient text knowledge
• Traditional examples of Uses of Bamboo
• Types of Bamboo
• How to procure bamboo?
• Harvesting
• Traditional practices in India
• Buying from Market
• Why treat bamboo? 
• Immersing bamboo in water
• Smoking bamboo 
• Baking bamboo in light fire
• Dipping in boric and borax
• Immersing in cow urine
• Preservation
• How to choose a suitable treatment method?
• Different ways to use bamboo
• Conclusion & Jagrat (Awake)
• References & What’s Next

1.4 Lime

• Jagrat (awake): The Versatility and Uses of Lime (Mystic Lime)
• What is Lime?
• Ancient Text Knowledge
• Traditional homes
• Exercise 1
• Lime Cycle
• Burning lime in a kiln
• Benefits of making lime in a kiln
• Transporting and Storing Lime
• Exercise 2 - Visit a lime kiln
• Slaking of lime
• Dry slaking
• Wet slaking
• Different classes of lime
• How do we test the quality of lime?
• Visual Examination
• Field test
• Ball test
• Test to check stabilization of lime
• Where can lime be used in construction?
• What happens with the excess use of lime?
• Why not use cement?
• Explorations by Thannal
• Village story & Jagrat (Awake)
• References & Upcoming Lessons

1.5 Surkhi

• What is Surkhi?
• Ancient Text Knowledge
• Traditional Building Examples
• What is Pozzolanic material?
• What happens when pozzolanic material is added?
• Sources of Surkhi
• How to Make Surkhi (Do-it-yourself)?
• How to make surkhi by in your site
• How to make the mix with Surkhi?
• What is the effect of grinding the mix?
• Benefits of adding Surkhi
• How to test the quality of Surkhi?
• Uses of Surkhi
• Limitations in using Surkhi
• Conclusion & Jagrat (Awake)
• References & Upcoming Lessons

1.6 Admixtures Part-1

• What are admixtures?
• What is present in these admixtures?
• Ancient Text Knowledge
• Why use admixtures?
• Kadukkai – Jaggery Mix
• Neem Turmeric water
• Where has Thannal used it?
• What is starch?
• Cow Dung
• Cow Urine
• Types of Fibers & Uses
• Gums from Varaal Fish
• Conclusion & Jagrat (Awake)
• References

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Who Should Enroll in This Course?

• Absolute Beginners who are starting their natural building journey and want to build a strong foundation.
• Reverse Migrants moving to villages who want to learn how to use the resources available on their land.
• Homeowners who plan to manage their own construction and need to confidently guide masons on material quality.
• Professionals (architects, engineers) who are new to natural materials and want to understand their properties before designing with them.
• Homeschooling students and anyone curious about the science and wisdom behind earthen construction.

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What Our Students Say

"I thought I knew about mud, but this course opened my eyes. The testing methods gave me so much confidence. I'll never look at the ground the same way again!" - Sarah Cotterell, Art Director, London

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this course a prerequisite for the other packages (Roofing, Walls, Finishes)? While not a mandatory prerequisite, we highly recommend it. Understanding the core properties of your materials as taught in this course will make your learning in Parts 2, 3, and 4 much easier and more meaningful.
• Will this course teach me how to build a complete house?
  No. This course focuses exclusively on materials. It gives you the foundational knowledge you need before you learn the building techniques taught in Parts 2, 3, and 4. The "Part 1-4: Complete Companion" bundle covers the entire process.
• Do I need to have access to land or materials to benefit from this course?
  No. You can gain all the knowledge from the videos online. However, the course will empower you to look at your local environment differently and identify potential building materials right in your own backyard.

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Course Details

• Total Duration: 5 Hours 35 Minutes  
• Language: English  
• Pace: Self-Paced, learn on your own schedule.  
• Access: Lifetime Validity.

The displayed price is inclusive of GST (18%), Payment Gateway Charges (2-3%), Platform Charges (10%), Affiliate Charges (20%).  

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This foundational knowledge is the most important gift you can give yourself on your natural building journey. Enroll today and learn to speak the language of the earth.