A note on the structural system and progress at Dr. Bhavesh Dave’s residence at Kensville

The Kensville site is located just before the great marshes of Nalsarovar bird sanctuary on a natural drainage path, and therefore has a high water table. This geological / geomorphologic feature has led to foundation soil being dominantly of silty sand type. Approximately, seventy five percent (75%) of the soil is grainy and rest is highly shrinking clay. In colloquial terms*, the soil is also known as black cotton soil. The soil is highly draining in nature besides its average bearing capacity. This soil condition along with existing loads required us to consider a circular masonry foundation, on which the ferrocement shell and landscape grass composite would rest.  It is intended that enough integrity is achieved by the foundations and the superstructure shell independently, which then would account for differential movement conditions because of the soil. See the sketch below for details.

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Construction of this masonry foundation is complete and the floor plinth is being readied now.  Like other parts of the country, availability of qualified workforce is a concern, and the site’s remoteness keeps the pace of our work slow. However, our contractors Nirav and Dakshesh found local workforces proficient in brick masonry and excavation. Soon after completion of excavations, constant interaction with the brick masons, before starting the work and during execution, ensured desired quality.


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At present, mobilization of materials for construction of ferrocement shell is underway; and we will keep uploading information here as work progresses. Please keep visiting.

*black cotton soil is a local technical simlie for highly shrinking clay