Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra

A wide range of projects which are being implemented by Nirmithi is a proof to the increasing acceptance of CEEF technology which includes projects that span from tribal shelters to the Science Seminar Complexes, Temples, Churches, University buildings, Public Sector office structures etc.

In keeping with Nirmithi’s goal of shelter for all, Nirmithi offers consultancy services in the following thrust areas and undertakes total project management in:

1. Residential Houses for Low Income Group (LIG),Middle Income Group ( MIG), High Income Group ( HIG).
2. Residential villas & Farm Houses
3. Universities and Other Institutions
4. Seminar and Exhibition Complexes
5. Earthquake resistant houses & rehabilitation colonies
6. Housing Colonies
7. Mass Housing scheme for SC beneficiaries
8. Mass Housing project Under Swiss Development Project
9. Organizing Training for Artisans & Other Institutions
10. Production Centers of CEEF
11. Material Testing Laboratories

The Technical/Consultancy wing of KESNIK has a Housing Guidance Centre attached to every Nirmithi Kendra which provides information on the cost effective and environment friendly (CEEF) construction options to the prospective house builder. The various technology options, the advantages and the cost comparison is explained to the client before the final decision is taken by the client. All information regarding to construction of houses can be got from this centre

With the increasing demand for cost effective construction, it has become necessary to decentralise the activities of Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra to enable it to meet rural housing demands as well as for the up gradation of rural technologies and locally available materials. With this objective, Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra has set up Regional/Rural Kendras in almost all districts of Kerala. These centres fulfil the construction demands of the respective regions besides providing services such as production cum training. The Rural Kendras focus on the training of artisans and unemployed youth in new and emerging cost effective building technologies and awareness generation on alternate building materials.

In order to tackle the lack of information among the laymen, the information and extension division was set up for the dissemination of CEEF technology through publications including brochures, news letters, books and literature on CEEF technology, conduct of camps, workshops, seminars, conference etc to reach out to all levels of people, Mobile units equipped with audio visual aids - “Nirmithi Vahini” - to take this message to remote rural areas etc.

To counter to the shortage of skilled manpower, Nirmithi regularly conducts training programmes for skill development for artisans giving special emphasis to unemployed youth. The Centre conducts large scale training programmes throughout the state creating a reliable cadre of work force besides generating employment opportunities to hundreds of unemployed youth. The Training Wing conducts training in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrification, building maintenance, Computer Basic, Interior decoration, horticulture, construction management, terracotta works and a host of other innovative areas related to habitat development.
In addition, as part of an integrated approach to housing which emphasises the importance of traditional construction technology, KESNIK has set a forum where experts in traditional architecture interact with architects, engineers and skilled workers.

Government of Kerala has recognized the training wing of KESNIK and has renamed it in the name of late Dr. Padmasree Laurie Baker a progenitor in Alternative technologies. KESNIK had undertaken several training programmes in various trades of construction benefiting more than 6000 beneficiaries through 14 Kendras of KESNIK spread across the State has adequate facility and trained manpower in imparting training in Artisan sectors.

By now KESNIK has under taken thousands of training programme in various construction fields and has generated a good number of trained workers. Yet we are short of adequate manpower in the construction field and our mission in creating a new cadre of skilled work force still continues…

KESNIK under takes free training program aimed at unemployed youth in masonry, building material production, carpentry, horticulture etc.. The trainees are selected based on their aptitude. Applications are invited through advertisement in local media. In house training programmes are regularly conducted for skill up gradation of the staff of KESNIK.

We also extent our hand to technocrats of other departments like LSGD etc.. for spreading the message of CEEF construction practices on a regular basis so as to transfer the technicalities of traditional construction technology to the new generation.

Nirmithi has a very good material testing and quality control lab. We are providing services to MES, VSSC, BSNL, Department of Posts and also to private builders.

Building Material Testing Lab – RNK- Vattiyoorkavu -TVPM
(Various Tests carried out in Vattiyoorcavu Centre, CPT campus
Thiruvananthapuram.)

6. Compressive strength (including standard consistency and casting 6 specimens)

III Sand or fine Aggregate

1. Finesses modulus
2. Sieve analysis
3. Impact test
4. Crushing test
5. Specific gravity and absorption test
6. Bulk density
7. Angularity numbering
8. Flakiness index
9. Elongation index
10. Percentage of voids

1. Compression test on cubes and cylinders
2. Flexure test on cement concrete standard beams
3. Slump test
4. Compaction factor.
5. Vee Bee consistency
6. Concrete mix design including analysis of material.
7. Concrete mix design including analysis of material, preliminary design
only.

Additional test

1. Compressive strength of hollow concrete blocks
2 Co-efficient of steel (wt/ m length).
For details contact:

Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra,
Regional Centre Testing Lab;
CPT Campus,
Vattiyoorkavu 695013,
Phone :0471-2362229.

Production centres, spread all over the state, owned by Nirmithi Kendra produce authentic CEEF building materials on a large scale – Hollow Concrete Blocks, Concrete door and window frames ,Ferro cement water tanks and so on.

Building construction trend in Kerala is ever increasing and so is the cost escalation of construction components. The people below poverty line find it very difficult in fulfilling their dream home. KESNIK was in the lookout for the promotion indigenous and local technology for withholding the construction cost escalation to certain extent. As a result various Cost Effective Environment Friendly (CEEF) building material products were developed in association with Premier Building Research Institute, NGOs and at our own labs. This enabled us in setting up CEEF building material production units through out the length and breadth of Kerala. The commonly used CEEF products are Hollow Concrete Blocks, Pre-cast Door / Window frames, Stabilized Mud Blocks, Interlocking Mud Blocks, Rubble Filler Blocks to name a few. These products has become a part of a construction culture and has been widely accepted by the people in general.

PRODUCTION CENTRES OF KESNIK:

1. REGIONAL NIRMITHI KENDRA, VATTIYOORCAVU.THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

Products Produced:
1. Hollow Concrete Block
Sizes – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)
2. Ventilator frames.
3. Concrete door and window frames.
Ferrocement slab (`Size – Any size subject to condition.)
Ferrocement Water Tank (Size – Upto 1000 litres in production yard and beyond at site.)

2. REGIONAL NIRMITHI KENDRA, MUTTOM.IDUKKI.
Products Produced
1. Hollow Concrete Block
Sizes – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)
2. Solid Block
3. Ferrocement Slab (`Size – Any size subject to condition.)
4. Ferrocement Water Tank (Size – Upto 1000 litres in production yard and
beyond at site.)

2. PALA REGIONAL NIRMITHI KENDRA.
Products Produced
1. Hollow Concrete Block
Sizes – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)

2. Solid Block
3. Ferro cement Slab (`Size – Any size subject to condition.)
5. Ferrocement Water Tank (Size – Upto 1000 litres in production yard and
beyond at site
3. REGIONAL NIRMITHI KENDRA, CHETTIKULANGARA.
Products Produced

1. Hollow Concrete Block
Sizes – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)
2. Concrete Door & Window Frames

4. REGIONAL NIRMITHI KENDRA, PALAKKAD.
Products Produced
1. Hollow Concrete Block
Sizes – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)

2. Ventilator Frames
3. Concrete door and window frames.
4. Ferrocement slab( Size – Any size subject to condition.)
5. Ferrocement Water Tank (Size – Upto 1000 litres in production
yard and beyond at site.)

6. REGIONAL NIRMITHI KENDRA, ADOOR
Products Produced
1.Hollow Concrete Block – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)
2. Ventilator frames.
3. Concrete door and window frames.
4. Ferrocement slab.( Size – Any size subject to condition.)
5. Ferrocement Water Tank ( Size – Upto 1000 litres in production
yard and beyond at site.)

7. REGIONAL NIRMITHI KENDRA, KOTTAYAM.
Products Produced
1. Hollow Concrete Block
Sizes – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)
2. Solid Block

1. Hollow Concrete Block
Sizes – HCB 8 ‘ (40 cm X 20 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 6 “ ( 40 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
- HCB 4 ‘ ( 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm)

Nirmithi has set up Kalavara fair price markets of building materials at Kozhikode, Kalamasseri(Ernakulam) and Vattiyoorkavu (Thiruvananthapuram) for the sale of building materials mainly to the BPL families and other public. These markets provide quality building materials at affordable price to the BPL families. This venture is aimed to curb the price level of building materials and to make available the same to BPL families at affordable prices.