Appirampattu is a small community of 300 Dalit in the SE Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The new center (started in 2003), as opposed to an existing concrete plinth, allows gathering year round (the previous area was unusable during the monsoon season as it had no sheltering from the elements) and also provides two indoor spaces: a meeting area, and a room that will serve as both a computer lab and a library.

The team now committed to design and construction, in collaboration with the local citizens, includes:

* Logan Allen, Student of Architecture, Cleveland, USA
* Taiko Sakamoto, Designer/Consultant, Yokosuka, Japan
* James Jamison, Architect/Site Manager/Draftsman, Melbourne, Australia
* Ganesh Bala, Design Consultant, Pondicherry, India
* Bhaskar, Construction Consultant, Auroville, India

The scope of this additional work in 2009 includes the replacement of the bamboo stage with a concrete structure, general maintenance, an in-situ cement topping over the blocks to prevent their deterioration, the installation of electricity, lighting and fans, replacement of doors with more substantial materials, improvements to water runoff on the roof, a ceramic-tile roof mosaic to mitigate heat gain, finishing of the interiors, landscaping, basic furniture, etc.

Location