Tribe Verified· Reviving traditional lime and mud techniques.

The Soul of Our Materials: Understanding Earth and Lime

byPraanganaWorkshops at studio in Bogadi 2nd Stage, Mysuru & across KarnatakaStarts from₹200 Per TicketView full gallery

Building with mud and lime starts long before the first brick is laid. Join us as we explore the raw, local ingredients that make our homes breathe.

We stumbled upon this traditional vertical lime kiln on the outskirts of Coimbatore, and the excitement was immense. Discovering these local centers of production is magical, as each region has its own unique recipe and process for creating hydraulic lime.

A pile of raw limestone, waiting to be transformed. This is the starting point of the lime cycle, the raw material that will be burned in the kiln to create quicklime, a fundamental ingredient in our natural mortars and plasters.

This small opening at the base of the lime kiln is where the finished product, calcium oxide or quicklime, is extracted after the burning process is complete. It's a simple yet effective design that has been used for centuries.

This is the result of the kiln's work: a pile of quicklime. This material will be carefully slaked with water to create lime putty, the base for the breathable, durable, and beautiful plasters that finish our walls.

Our team standing atop the discovered lime kiln. These adventures are part of our process, connecting us directly to the source of our materials and deepening our appreciation for the traditions of natural building.

One of our clients stands on the lime kiln we discovered together during a site visit. We love sharing these moments of discovery, as it helps everyone involved in a project feel more connected to the materials and the story of their home.

Another view of the raw limestone, with the tools of the trade nearby. Sourcing materials locally like this not only reduces the carbon footprint of our projects but also supports local economies and traditional industries.

About The Soul of Our Materials

Before you commit to a lime or mud-based home, you need to understand that the 'recipe' isn't standard. We don't just order materials from a catalogue; we hunt for local lime kilns and test the soil composition of each site. It’s a messy, hands-on process, but it's exactly what gives your walls the thermal mass and breathability that cement just can't match. If you're curious, come to a site visit—seeing the raw quicklime turn into putty is the best way to understand why we obsess over these details.

Reviving traditional lime and mud techniques. — Approved by the tribe

Praangana

Workshops at studio in Bogadi 2nd Stage, Mysuru & across KarnatakaStarts from ₹200 Per Ticket

We are Praangana, a team that gets genuinely excited by an old lime kiln and the smell of fresh clay. We believe a house shouldn't just be built; it should evolve naturally from the ground it stands on. Join us as we explore these traditions and share the magic of living with mud and lime.