04/09/2026
𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬
Scrrrr-scrrrr, scrrrr-scrrrr, scrrrr-scrrrr gets repeated as the sharp tooth of the saw moves back and forth through the porous material on Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks. A dull and unimpressive AAC block that most would simply ignore while seeing at any roadside or under construction site – but a few creative minds still find creativity in the most mundane things and choose to look beyond the blocks.
On many occasions, such AAC Blocks are made in excess vis-a-vis actual requirement and just keep lying around as waste material. At other times, few AAC blocks get damaged and hence discarded. It leads to unnecessary waste wherein even discarding such material is a major task.
One such creative mind is Mangesh Pachpor who decided to look beyond the blocks to recycle those AAC blocks that are lying as waste on the roadside or at under construction sites. He brings home those unwanted or damaged AAC blocks from some nearby construction sites.
Mangesh then brings out his sharp saw and other tools to give these unassuming AAC blocks shape as per requirement. He keeps cutting and chipping the block – carefully, meticulously and incorporating every minor detail of the design which he has already put together earlier. Thankfully his engineering qualification gives him an edge while putting together complicated designs.
The overall effort and dust are all justified once he finishes the work and puts the final artifact together. From a simple door name plate to larger flowerpots to even complicated geometrically impossible artifacts that look tough to create but become easier to create due to his effort and engineering expertise.
AAC blocks are exceptionally brittle, often more fragile than blackboard chalk where even the slightest misjudgement can lead to breakage. This extreme brittleness makes the fine detailing more challenging especially at very small thicknesses and cross-sections.
Yet, Mangesh has successfully carved delicate features down to an astonishing thickness up to three mm demonstrating precision, control, and craftsmanship, pushing the limits of what the material can endure.
The artifacts can easily be painted to make it look even more appealing; however, he feels that people should know that it’s made from AAC blocks and not the easier clay or mud option. Hence, he does not paint the artifact thereby keeping the natural look alive.
A mechanical engineering graduate and currently part of the Quality Team at IEPC Division of Sterling and Wilson Pvt Ltd, Mangesh uses his spare time especially on weekends to keep his passion alive. A resident of Kalyan, an outlying suburb of Mumbai, means construction activity is unending in his locality thereby providing him with an endless supply of unwanted AAC Blocks.
If there were a few more creative and dedicated minds around – a lot of waste lying around that could be innovatively designed and made into something much more beautiful and useful.
