Shifali Goyal Singhal

Focus studies for research - Client - Prakti Design Lab, Pondicherry Project - Designing cheap, efficient and local made improved firewood cooking stove for the rural population of Tamil Nadu Technology - Rocket stove

First prototype of improved cookstove in AAC - The fire chamber dimensions and the fuel opening is based on the rocket stove technology and the AAC is a tested strong fire resistant cement

Cutting AAC tiles

Mud plastering by the local women - The proposal was that the villagers buy and bring home the AAC structure of the stove. This they can fix in ground with mud plastering and later decorate in their individual style of local aesthetics

Cow dung plastering

Women using the stoves

Second prototype in very fine terracotta, made with almost precise dimensions - The double wall structure allows the exterior to remain cool and sand or vermiculite filled in the gap will retain the heat for long. The prototype wasnt successfull in the initial stage as it cracked during firing

A skilled terracotta artisan working on the prototype

Feedback session with the village ladies

Third prototype in local terracotta - This prototype doesnt have double walls but it is thick walled and has insulation in the form of hay and straw mixed in the clay. It is easy to carry around waist and looks similar to the existing stoves in the local market. The price is reasonably cheap for the rural population

Local roadside potter making the prototype

The coiling technique

Open kiln firing