RESEARCH REPORT
ON
INDIAN VERNACULAR ACHITECTURE
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE
SUBMITTED BY
KUSHIK MISHRA
B.Arch, Seveth semester,
IVth Year
GUIDED BY
Ar. Priyank Jain
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
GAUTAM BUDDHA UNIVERSITY, GREATAR NOIDA- 201312
SESSION: 2022-2023
DECLARATION
This is to certify that to the best of my knowledge the research topic entitled, INDIAN
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE is a bonafide work by Kushik Mishra of Department
of Architecture & Planning, School of Engineering, Gautam Buddha University, Greater
Noida. This Research has been completed under my Guidance and supervision in
satisfactory manner. This Report is being Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of award of
Bachelor degree from Gautam Buddha University,Greater Noida.
This Dissertation fulfils the requirement relating to the nature and standard laid down by
Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida.
Ar. Priyank Jain
Research Guide
Department of Architecture & Planning,
School of Engineering, Gautam Budhha University
I, Kushik Mishra, hereby declare that the Research Report entitled INDIAN
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE submitted in the partial fulfilment of the requirement for
the award of degree of Bachelors in Architecture, is my original research work and that the
information taken from secondary sources have been given due citations and references.
Kushik Mishra
B.Arch. ( VIIth Semester)
19/AR/008
Date: 18-12-2022
APPROVAL
The research on INDIAN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE of Kushik Mishra, fourth
year B.Arch submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Bachelor
degree of Gautam Budh University, Greater Noida.
External Examiner Ar. Priyank Jain
(RESEARCH COORIDINATOR)
Department of Architecture and Planning,
School of Engineering,
Gautam Budh University,
Greater Noida.
RECOMMENDATION
We hereby certify that the research report entitled “ INDIAN VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE ”, prepared by Kushik Mishra Under our guidance, be accepted as a
requirement for the partial fulfilment of the degree of Bachelor of Architecture.
Dated: 18-12-2022
Ar.Priyank Jain Ar. Madhuri Aggarwal
(Research Guide) (Head of the Department)
Department of Architecture & Planning, Department of Architecture & Planning,
School of Engineering, School of Engineering,
Gautam Buddha University, Gautam Buddha University,
Greater Noida. Greater Noida.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Saying only word of thank from core of my heart in my opinion is much more than a token of
love and gratitude towards helping hand.
Firstly, I am highly in debt to Ar. Priyank Jain, my Research Guide for his continuous
guidance, Helpful comments and Tremendous support at every Stage of Work. Without His
Valueable Inputs, The Research would not have been able to reach its final form.
I would also like to thank our respected HOD, Ar. Madhuri Aggarwal, and all staff of
department of Architecture & Planning, School of Engineering, Gautam Buddha University,
Greater Noida for Providing me Knowledge & give support to develop my research.
Kushik Mishra
Department of Architecture & Planning,
School of Engineering,
Gautam Buddha University,
Greater Noida
Table of Contents
1. Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 6
3. Cultural traits and attributes ....................................................................................................... 7
Gender roles and family habits ............................................................................................ 7
Economy.............................................................................................................................. 8
Family type and cycle.......................................................................................................... 8
Local Dish ........................................................................................................................... 8
Religion and Belief.............................................................................................................. 8
Symbolism ........................................................................................................................... 8
Tradition and transmission .................................................................................................. 8
4. Heritage value ............................................................................................................................ 9
Anthropological values........................................................................................................ 9
Architectural value .............................................................................................................. 9
Archaeological and historical value .................................................................................... 9
Environmental value............................................................................................................ 9
Aesthetic value .................................................................................................................... 9
Economic value ................................................................................................................... 9
Space value .......................................................................................................................... 9
5. Influencing Factors of Vernacular Architecture: ..................................................................... 10
Building Plan ..................................................................................................................... 10
Building Sizes.................................................................................................................... 10
Building Type .................................................................................................................... 10
Planning Concept .............................................................................................................. 11
Vernacular Elements ......................................................................................................... 11
Indigenous Materials ......................................................................................................... 11
6. Classification of Different Vernacular Architecture ................................................................ 13
Vernacular Architecture in Hot & Dry Climate Zone: ...................................................... 13
Vernacular Architecture in Warm and Humid Climate Zone: .......................................... 13
Vernacular Architecture in Temperate Climate Zone: ...................................................... 14
Vernacular Architecture in Composite Climate Zone: ...................................................... 15
Vernacular Architecture in Cold Climate Zone:................................................................ 15
7. Examples of Indian Vernacular Architecture........................................................................... 17
Vernacular architecture of Kerala, South India ................................................................. 17
Vernacular architecture of Karnataka ................................................................................ 18
Vernacular architecture of Punjab and Haryana ................................................................ 19
Vernacular Architecture of North East India..................................................................... 20
Vernacular Architecture of Ladakh ................................................................................... 21
8. Conclusion: .............................................................................................................................. 22
Abstract
The qualities of Vernacular architecture are directly reflected in its "indigenous" notation,
which means that the architecture is very specific to its geographical location and belongs to
the people it belongs to. Traditional architecture is the architectural style that considers all the
needs and requirements of the people, nature, building materials and also reflects tradition and
culture. Although different from the prevailing view of the built environment, the use of
indigenous materials, design and construction techniques plays a central role in the design and
architecture of society. It is mainly found in rural areas of India, with structures built using
local materials and designed and planned to meet all needs and requirements of the local
inhabitants.
Gender roles and family habits for example, a woman’s routine begins in the morning, her main
workspace is the kitchen and the open space attached to it (many times the yard) where she
cooks, cleans and bathing children, etc. Thus, we see that its interactive areas in the house are
the kitchen, the open spaces attached to it, the bedroom, and outside the house the well or the
river and the farm. On the other hand, outside the house, man’s areas of interaction are farms
and Chaupal.
In today`s modern era, Indian architecture and architects are largely inclined towards western
architecture, while the traditional architecture of this country has the ability to fulfil their
requirements according to the country's environment, which is the reason why we wanted to
show Through this research paper, how economical and user-friendly the traditional styles
found in different climatic zones of India are. All these points we have to know again about
our traditional styles so that we do not just create concrete jungles.
Introduction
The term "vernacular" is derived from the Latin word "vernaculus" meaning domestic,
indigenous, indigenous. Vernacular Architecture is a term most commonly used for indigenous
and traditional architecture. The qualities of this architecture are directly reflected in its
"indigenous" notation, which means that the architecture is very specific to its geographical
location and belongs to the people it belongs to. there. The term “traditional” reflects the
continuity of the culture and its constructive practice.
Vernacular Architecture includes people's houses and other buildings, relating to their
surroundings and available resources using traditional technology. They are built to meet
specific needs, taking into account their values, the economies and lifestyles of the cultures that
produce them.
In India, most people live in rural areas, have aspirations and are urbanizing. However,
during construction, some native features are retained and can therefore be transformed into
"urban vernacular". In indigenous urban construction, houses or other structures indigenous to
a particular place gradually undergo transformation. For example, in the use of traditional
building materials such as brick, stone, wood, lime, mud and thatch, are replaced by modern
building materials such as cement. The shape of the plan changes, for example the houses
convert from a traditional courtyard to a patio style, again transforming into a Modern homes
generally do not have yards. So, while the heritage value of an indigenous municipality is much
less, the socio-cultural values and the use of space by the inhabitants are more or less preserved.
Traditional architecture is the architectural style that considers all the needs and
requirements of the people, nature, building materials and also reflects tradition and culture.
Although different from the prevailing view of the built environment, the use of indigenous
materials, design and construction techniques plays a central role in the design and architecture
of society. Architect Paul Oliver said vernacular architecture is " the architecture of the people,
and by the people, but not for the people".
Frank Lloyd Wright describes vernacular architecture as “Folk building growing in
response to actual needs, fitted into environment by people who knew no better than to fit them
with native feeling” shows that it is a primitive form of design, devoid of intelligence, but he
also says that “for us better worth study than all the highly self-conscious academic attempts
at the beautiful throughout Europe”.i
Indian Vernacular planning involves planning and designing a built environment with
the informal and functional design of structures. It is mainly found in rural areas of India, with
structures built using local materials and designed and planned to meet all needs and
requirements of the local inhabitants. The structures built are not only made of indigenous
materials, but even the planning is done keeping in mind the necessities of the local society and
culture.
Cultural traits and attributes
The essence of vernacular architecture lies in its cultural characteristics and attributes. This
leads to the following characteristics:
Gender roles and family habits
In our society, activities are fixed by gender. The use of space inside and outside the household
follows its distinction. Habits in the family have a relationship between family space,
workplace and society. It is observed that there is a repetitive pattern in behavior and sequence
in and around the house. For example, a woman's routine begins in the morning, her main
workspace is the kitchen and the open space attached to it (many times the yard) where she
cooks, cleans and bathing children, etc. At the end of the day, she goes to a well or river to get
water or do laundry. This was her main communication moment with other women in the
colony. She goes to the farm with food for the male members and collects fodder and returns.
Returning home after resting a bit, she cooks and does housework again. After the meal, she
went to bed. Thus, we see that its interactive areas in the house are the kitchen, the open spaces
attached to it, the bedroom, and outside the house the well or the river and the farm. For male
members, mornings are mostly for Otlas or Baithakes. Then the day begins with feeding the
cattle and getting them ready to go to the fields. During the day, it is usually busy with
agricultural activities. At dusk, he came back and tied the cattle and fed them Gotta. After
refreshment, he went to Chaupal. Back, he eats and sleeps. Therefore, the main areas of
interaction with the house are the Baithaks or Otlas, the sleeping area and the Gothas. On the
other hand, outside the house, her man's areas of interaction are farms and Chaupal. There are
collective activities that take place cyclically but not daily such as going to the weekly market,
listening to Pravachans music in the temple, visiting important places during some festivals,
for example women worshiping Banyan trees near the nearby Banyan Tree. temple during
Vadsavitri festival etc. These activities are located in space within the habitat. Thus, we found
that gender roles and family habits are created in places of family communication such as
courtyards, indoors, and social places such as places of worship, Baithak and Chaupal.
Economy
The home economy is reflected in indigenous architecture in two forms. First, family
occupation is often caste-based, as, like the Gujarats, occupation is herding and therefore the
focus is on barnyards. Similarly, a farmer has a place to store his grain, Lohar (the blacksmith)
or Kumbhar (the potter) has an in-house workshop, and so on. Thus, the family's economy is
reflected in the type of house. Second, the economics of families are affected by the size,
location and permanence of the building, etc.
Family type and cycle
It depends on how the family interacts. Effects on the nature of the dwelling can be seen, as all
houses tend to grow. Another influencing factor is the per-generational transfer of knowledge.
This can be verbally or through training, where elders involve young people in activities such
as livelihoods, customs, construction activities or regular maintenance.
Local Dish
The habits of eating, cooking, preparing, consuming and storing energy are reflected in the
vernacular architecture. For example, the Gujarats have vessels for stirring dahi for cani and
storing milk. If chulha is a means of cooking, then it is necessary to store wood and oplas near
the chulha. In Gobar's case, a gas station will be installed in the yard. The preservation of
processed food will be placed in a wall cabinet, in a large wooden crate or a specially designed
cabinet with various types of rhinestones around. Jelly flowers are made from mud and straw,
etc.
Religion and Belief
Religions and beliefs influence the orientation and differentiation of buildings. At the family
level, it is more for climate purposes but underpinned by compulsions and religious beliefs.
The sacred architecture is influenced by religion. An example would be the mehrab in the
mosque would always be on the west side and the temple would face the east. The gods to
worship, the rituals to be followed are all decided by the religion, while the ritual determines
the daily activities performed and the festivals held. For example, Hindu houses in Braj, Orchha
and Maharashtra have Tulsi Vrindavan in their courtyards, Devghar for their gods, and so on.
They are used for their daily rituals in the house while public festivals like Ganesh Utsav,
Krishna Janmashtami etc. for group activities is also located in the common/lover area.
Symbolism
It is widely used to represent nature as well as everyday life. God, holidays and religious
occasions are used in visual form to replace ignorance of the written word.
Tradition and transmission
Local community values and norms are part of indigenous architecture. There is a code of
conduct in the community about morality and immorality, good and bad, do's and don'ts. For
example, you never enter the temple or the kitchen with your shoes, etc. with external
influences and pressures, tend to adopt new values and assimilate them. This is exactly the
point of conflict between generations and only eases when there is mutual understanding and
time passed. The cultural characteristics and attributes mentioned above give indigenous
architecture a wide range of values, making it an irreplaceable, individually constructed
heritage resource. Continuity is maintained across generations by maintaining the values that
make up the essence of vernacular architecture but at the same time assimilating new values
that make it more valuable.
Heritage value
The heritage values of vernacular architecture are indicators of their relationship to the cultural
and social context of Aboriginal communities and their uniqueness in the geographical context.
Anthropological values
Each work is an artifact that meets human needs. There is flexibility in spaces and maximum
multi-function. There is a peaceful coexistence between communities, which is evident in
settlement planning. The houses are tightly built, sharing common areas such as livestock areas,
cottages where oplas dry (common in Braj), common areas for grazing cattle, hunting dogs ,
wells, places of worship and authoritative chaupal. or panchayat. There are typical community
layouts that reflect the social structure and relationship of the house to the community on one
level and the family to the family on another, with lots of symbols. There are traditions like
Gaon bhoj (very popular in Braj and Maharashtra) where food is provided by the whole village
to visitors, mainly pilgrims.
Architectural value
It is very handy, true to its function leading to its form. This technology makes minimal use of
locally available natural materials and resources for a building that adapts to its climate context.
It uses traditional craft/craft to improve aesthetic treatment of the building and reflect the
evolution of the state of art and craft at a given time. It also has a build and design assembly
system. This is the most important place to build the knowledge system and is always passed
down from generation to generation.
Archaeological and historical value
It is a record of the former lifestyle. In many areas, it is a faithful reproduction of the previous
generation, structure and tradition. It can be expected that the more dominant aspects only exist,
grow and survive while the ordinary aspects die.
Environmental value
It offers climate-appropriate expression and solutions with low energy consumption. It
represents the appropriate use of locally available materials. It is also energy efficient and
durable. Everything is biodegradable and recyclable.
Aesthetic value
He exudes a strong sense of color and iconic ornamentation. Ornaments can cover the backdrop
for artistic expression as in most houses, temples and mosques in Adivasi. Decoration is found
in elements mainly at the level of borders, lines and moldings. The symbols used are natural
features, flora and fauna, which are considered important and represent God.
Economic value
Due to the use of locally available resources, indigenous architecture has great economic value.
It helps to create sustainable economic growth in this particular region. It reflects the family
economy, whereby housing sizes, materials and details of decoration and finishing vary. It is
maintained continuously by cyclic processes and therefore lasts longer. Moreover, adding these
structures is quite easy.
Space value
It has multifunctional areas like courtyard with multifunctional furniture like charpai which are
used by different family members for different purposes. The heritage value of vernacular
architecture is under threat due to the socio-cultural change taking place in modern society due
to economic changes and globalization. It brings people together, assimilating ideas and
concepts that respond to current trends and practices in building construction, thereby
jeopardizing indigenous building traditions. ii
Influencing Factors of Vernacular Architecture:
Building Plan
The layout of the buildings is a major factor influencing and directing the planning of native
structures. The archetypal form of a building plan that correlates with many cultural, historical,
and urban planning traditions. Three main types of shapes have been identified for plans in
traditional buildings:
The circular option is preferred in earthquake resistant cases, for example houses in Bhonga
Rectangular plan
Linear plan
Fig. 1 A typical circular plan for vernacular Bhonga house
Building Sizes
The second aspect of Indian vernacular architecture is the size of the building. The size of the
building is governed by its specific use. Depending on the size of a building, they can be
classified as follows:
Single Storey
Multi-storey building
Mixed-use buildings require the construction of an additional floor, requiring increased bearing
capacity of the walls, especially these walls must also resist the effects of earthquakes. It should
be noted that the scale of the project is also related to the population structure and housing
density in a given area.
Building Type
Indigenous architecture can be described as "rural" and "urban" in terms of rural and urban
contexts, respectively. Burnskill (1988) proposes a class of native buildings according to their
intended use. For example, domestic buildings designed for residential purposes include
private homes, nursing homes and recreational homes. Meanwhile, Agricultural buildings
include all farm buildings except the farm and the indoor subdivisions; such as stables, cow
stables, chicken coops and stables. All buildings associated with industrial activities such as
pottery, other commercial establishments, etc. industrial buildings. Finally, religious buildings
include all temples, churches, mosques, monuments, etc. According to the structural system,
indigenous buildings can be divided into three categories, namely Pucca, Semi-pucca and the
Kuchcha houses. A Pucca structure is made of strong materials such as stone, wood, brick and
mortar that are used to bond the building materials. It is more durable, more expensive, and
does not require ongoing maintenance. In contrast, the Kuchcha structure is built using natural
materials such as mud, grass, bamboo, and sticks. It does not provide much strength or
durability to the structure and requires constant heavy maintenance. The semi-pucca structure
is a combination of pucca and kuchcha styles.
Planning Concept
The form of a building plan that correlates with the cultural, historical and traditional planning
context of a particular area. This concept can be discussed at macro and micro level. The macro
level largely focuses on the planning and architectural aspects. The micro level depicts the art
and architectural details. Vastu-purusa manadala is usually followed in case there are plans to
build a residential area. In general, three main types of shapes have been found in the plans of
traditional buildings: circular plans, rectangular plans, and linear plans. The size of the building
stems from its specific use. The size of the actual building is related to the population structure
and housing density in a given area. Depending on the size of a building, they can also be
classified into: single-story buildings, multi-storey buildings.
Vernacular Elements
Elements such as water, daylight, natural ventilation, local building materials and technology
stand out in the vernacular architecture. Most of the historic buildings are built on vernacular
principles that ensure natural lighting, natural ventilation and use of water bodies in the form
of channels, basins or fountains, etc. in open spaces such as yards. This technology allows the
modification of extreme climate impacts in hot and dry climates. Cavity-wall construction
techniques are applied to improve the time variation in the fluctuating day cycle. Jalis is used
in many religious buildings such as mosques and royal palaces to allow the circulation of
daylight and air.
Indigenous Materials
Another aspect influencing the development of indigenous construction methods is the
availability of local building materials. The most commonly used materials are:
Wood - is one of the most common building materials and is a material of natural origin.
It is fairly easy to work with, renewable, very well insulated and readily available.
Adobe - is a natural building material consisting of clay, sand, water and some organic or
fibrous material (sticks, straw or manure), usually shaped into bricks by kneading and
drying. Under the sunshine.
Stone - Stone is another important building material that is indigenous to Indian
architecture. It is a versatile material and can be used from the foundation to the railing of
a building.
Clay - Clay is used to construct durable and traditional buildings. These buildings are of
two types: one is walls made directly from a mixture of mud and the other is walls
constructed by piling up air-dried masonry bricks known as mud bricks.
Crushed stone - construction using natural materials such as earth, chalk, lime or gravel.
The earth wall is built very simply. They do not burn, have a large heat mass, are durable
and very durable.
Fly ash, sand, lime and gypsum bricks - used for residential walls and all other types of
construction as well as retaining walls. They are eco-friendly, have excellent durability, dry
quickly and reduce water absorption and shrinkage.
Massive soil compaction - saving energy, respecting the environment with excellent
surface finish. It is an economical material with good thermal insulation.
Fired clay bricks and fly ash - environmentally friendly materials, saving energy and
produced domestically.
Micro-concrete roof tiles - MCR tiles are a cost-effective and extremely versatile roofing
material. MCR tile can be used to create attractive roofs over villas, farmhouses, pavilions
and gazebos and is also used in highway construction. In areas with heavy rainfall, this type
of brick has long been used as a covering material because it is both waterproof and
aesthetically pleasing. It has been widely used in cost-effective housing projects, poultry
farms, restaurants and workplaces.iii
Classification of Different Vernacular Architecture
Indigenous architecture pays attention to the climate, traditions and socio-monetary situation
of a chosen site. As such, India is a rustic country with a diverse climate and socio-cultural
situation. Each location has its own personal identity with a weather-adapted building layout
with vernacular architectural form within. The country is divided into five main climate zones:
1. Hot and dry,
2. Warm and humid,
3. Temperate,
4. Cold and
5.Composite
Fig. 2 Climatic Zones in India
Vernacular Architecture in Hot & Dry Climate Zone:
The area is flat, sandy and rocky and sparsely wooded with thorny cactus bushes. Due to low
water levels and sparse vegetation, houses are often built of tree branches, mud, clay, and
stones. This area is located in the North West of India i.e. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Thar desert
(Rajasthan and part of Gujarat). The area is flat, sandy and rocky; and the trees were sparse
with thorny cactus bushes. In summer, the wind blows very hot and sandstorms often occur in
this area. Desert architecture has art representing the climate and culture of the region. Pukka's
architecture is mainly in the haveli style. Warm air rises by convection from the yard and cool
air is led from the street for cross ventilation.
Vernacular Architecture in Warm and Humid Climate Zone:
The hot and humid region covers the coastal region of India. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai and
Kolkata are all part of this region. High humidity promotes rich vegetation. The main design
criteria in this area were to reduce heat gain and provide shade. Individual homes are separate
from others and provide their own water, temples, bathing facilities, and farmland. Generally,
buildings have one floor. House planning based on Vaastu-Shastra. The individual houses are
surrounded by a ring of walls with doors leading to the street. In the yard there is an auspicious
tulsi tree. The houses are raised on a high pole with verandas on either side as a semi-private
quarter. The rooms are aligned around a central courtyard. The central courtyard and deep
verandas around the house allow cross ventilation in the rooms. A sloping roof is provided for
protection from the area's heavy rains. The house blends into the landscape. The basic materials
used are laterite, granite, wood, mud, thatch, coconut leaves, bamboo and Mangalore tile.
Granite is used for the foundation, laterite for the wall, wood for the wall and frame, and
Mangalore tile for the roof. Geographically, Kerala consists of a straight strip at the extreme
southwest of India, stretching from south to east at an altitude of about 63 meters above sea
level. The Ghats to the north and Travancore to the south. The highest land is about 800 meters
above sea level, located between the coast and the mountains, Kerala is mainly mid-range areas
where crops and rice are grown. Kerala has high annual rainfall in summer up to 1000mm and
temperature 30-34°C in peak summer. Kerala's vernacular architecture reflects a fusion of
Indian and Southeast Asian characters. The Indian characters are reflected in the predominance
of massive figures in the construction of earthworks and in the main practice of the Vedic
habitation, as evidenced by the observance of the immense treaty. butt in housing design.
Straight. Kerala specifically uses laterite wall material which abounds along the west coast of
India (from Gujarat to Kanyakumari).
1) vegetative reed, coconut, jackfruit, rosewood and traditional wooden construction,
2) pitched roof to withstand heavy monsoon rain,
3) sloping wall panels and varying depths of overhanging eaves to prevent glare from the sun,
and
4) transparent and open, as the best relief in hot and humid climate,
5) Simple construction style, open space with minimal furniture, especially the lobby style
without opening windows,
6) The transition space between indoor and outdoor is marked by retaining walls, overhanging
retaining walls and sunshades, and
7) generous arrangement of spaces for women and kitchens in the east and north, which is
hardly possible in traditional Indian architecture.
Vernacular Architecture in Temperate Climate Zone:
The only two cities in India with mild temperatures (comfortable temperatures all year round)
are Pune and Bangalore. The vernacular of these regions mimics their neighbouring seaside
towns, with the courtyard becoming the dominant element that other spaces revolve around.
With architecture modernizing rapidly, contemporary concrete buildings are replacing
traditional Wada & Gutthu houses.
Temperate climate with mild to hot summers and cool winters.
The need for heating in the home in winter is greater than the need for cooling in the
summer.
It is a relatively comfortable climate, especially near the coast, where summers are cooler
and winters are warmer than in more remote regions.
In the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, winters are cold and summers are mild. o
There are few openings on the outside of the door.
Cooking and sleeping outside in the summer is like staying indoors in the winter.
Vernacular Architecture in Composite Climate Zone:
The composite zone covers the central part of India. States like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Bihar, Jharkhand experience this climate.
A variable landscape and seasonal vegetation characterizes this zone.
Climatic Consideration:
Water Bodies: Water absorbs relatively large amounts of radiation. It also allows
evaporative cooling. As a result, during the day, areas around bodies of water are
usually cooler. At night, however, water bodies release relatively large amounts of heat
to the surroundings and used for
Window Shades: Window shades should cut off sun in the summer but allow the sun
in the under heated period. In addition, the window section will improve air speed while
still providing shade. This can be achieved by placing a potted plant on the windowsill
or by adding smaller shades to the glass.
Projections: Large projecting eaves and wide verandas are needed in composite
climate as out-door living areas, to reduce sky glare, keep out the rain and provide
shades.
Jalis: Jalis on the outer facade of the building helps in cooling, shading and ventilation.
Wall thickness: The wall functions as an insulation layer to prevent heat from entering
the building in the summer and spreading to the outside in the winter. This is why the
wall thickness is larger than usual in some places.
Plinth: A high pole is provided to prevent rainwater from entering the inside of the
building.
Openings: To reduce the humidity and for ventilation openings (Le. doors, windows,
ventilators and corridors) are provided large in numbers.
Vernacular Architecture in Cold Climate Zone:
Cold climate is divided into cold and sunny, cold and cloudy. Ladakh experiences a cold and
sunny climate. Cities like Kashmir, Sikkim, Shimla and the upper part of Assam, the hill
stations of South India all experienced cold
and cloudy weather. The climate in this region
is pleasant in the summer with heavy rainfall
and moderate to heavy snowfall in the winter.
Cold climate is divided into cold and sunny,
cold and cloudy. Ladakh experiences a cold
and sunny climate. Cities like Kashmir,
Sikkim, Shimla and the upper part of Assam,
hill stations in southern India have all
experienced cold and cloudy weather. The
climate of this region is pleasant in the
summer, with plenty of rain and moderate to Fig.3 Koti Banal ©Uttarakhand stories
heavy snowfall in the winter. Generally, the
houses consist of a living space with their livestock. A typical unit is a square or rectangle. The
houses have about two or three floors. Each story consists of a single large room with no
partitions. Buildings are usually oriented to the South or Southwest for maximum sunlight. The
lower floor is for livestock, poultry or storage. The second floor consists of a living room and
a kitchen. Inside the house is a one-story staircase. The houses have tiled courtyards for
agriculture and rituals. The houses line up parallel to the ridge and never perpendicular to it.
The houses are developed along the southern slope respecting the topography of the area to
ensure heat gain. The height of the room is low. The upper floors are made of wood to keep
the floor warm. The buildings are made from locally available stone and wood, filled with clay
and cow dung for mortar. The roof is finished with locally available slate. A detailed study of
typical homes in major climates reveals some common characteristics: buildings are designed
with sun and wind orientation and provide passive cooling through shading systems. sunny.
The floor plan ensures the orientation of the building to limit intense sunlight while allowing
daylight and cross ventilation in warm or hot climates. The design of the living environment
follows the lifestyle, beliefs, customs and habits of the residents and makes optimal use of
space. Locally available materials are used in combination with modern materials. The use of
locally available craft techniques is encouraged to create sustainable and cost-effective
buildings.
Fig.4 Traditional House of Kullu
Fig.5 Details Of Koti Banal Architecture Form in Uttrakhand
(Source-www.pinterest.com/pin/423197696227443333/)
Examples of Indian Vernacular Architecture
Vernacular architecture of Kerala, South India
Kerala is now a federal state of India, geographically comprising a straight line at the extreme
southwest of India, extending from south to east at an elevation of about 63 meters above sea
level. This location is culturally known as Malabar - the fertile strip of land between the
Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats to the north and Travancore to the south. The highest lands
are about 800 meters above mean sea level. Located between the coastal region and the
mountain ranges, Kerala is mainly intermediate areas where crops and crops are grown. Kerala
has high annual rainfall in summer up to 1000 mm and temperature 30-34°C during the peak
of summer. Kerala's vernacular architecture reflects a fusion of Indian and Southeast Asian
characters. The Indic characters are reflected in the domination of massive characters of the
earthen material construction and the main practice of Vedic dwelling culture as reflected in
observance to vastu treatise in house design. Kerala has specifically used laterite wall material
which abounds along the west coast of India (from Gujarat to Kanyakumari).
Fig.6 Interior of a Traditional House in Kerala
The Southeast Asian characters could be examined by several characters as listed by Reimar
Schefold about “Southeast Asian House Type”, in the usage of:
1) vegetative reeds, coconut, jackfruit, and rosewood and timber construction tradition,
2) sloping roof to encounter heavy rain during monsoon,
3) slanting wall screen and various depth of protruding eaves to prevent glare sun lights, and
4) transparency and openness, as the best relief in hot and humid climate,
5) single-hall and open-layout building typology with minimum furniture, particularly the halls
type without apparent window opening,
6) the transitional space between interior and exterior marked by wall screen, protruding trellis
wall and sun-shading, and
7) significant spatial arrangement for female and kitchen in the East and North side which is
unlikely found in the mainstream Indian architecture. The constructions were mainly built from
wooden components possible to be disassembled.
Sloped roof, outward sloping gable and gable shields The most characteristic part of buildings
in Kerala is their overwhelming scale, pyramidal and pitched roofs. In southern Kerala alone,
the roofs are mostly lined with wooden gables.
Fig.7 Roof Detail of a Traditional House in Kerala
Vernacular architecture of Karnataka
Fig.8 Interior Stone Walls in a Traditional House in Karnataka.
The architecture of Karnataka is as varied as its geography, with its verdant coastal area to the
west; the richly wooded hills of Chikmangalore and Shimoga, the bamboo forests and
plantations of the fertile farm land of the south, the semi arid zones of the east and central
districts and the vast stony, dry areas of the north. The name of one of the main districts,
Gulbarga, is said to have come from Kalbargi, which means stony land or a heap of stones.
Where the Deccan plateau joins the Nilgris in the southwestern region of the state, timber is in
abundance. Stone is the major building material for most of the North Karnataka. Mortar is
usually mud. A major feature of Northern Karnataka agricultural homes is the inclusion of a
space for their cows and goats within the home itself.
Fig.9 Interior Stone Walls in a Traditional House in Karnataka.
Vernacular architecture of Punjab and Haryana
In this area, the roofs are usually flat, surrounded by low railings. Most homes include a semi-
private open space. The smaller houses consist of a slightly taller adjoining open space,
surrounded by bamboo niches or palm fences. Wealthy peasants surrounded the area with mud
walls, sometimes thatched or tiled for protection from rain, usually an inward facing building.
This place is very useful for roommates to socialize. Regardless of the lifestyle differences
between different regions, cottages or courtyards are one of the important features of Indian
homes. The rare Mughal ruin in Sirhind (Punjab) has a rectangular plan, consisting of two
suites connected by high curtain walls to enclose a courtyard. Outside, it has a barricaded, bare
brick wall interrupted by a pattern of recessed rectangular panels. The southwest end of the
house is the full height of the building, covered by a Bangla-style, domed roof. Typical layout
of a 19th-century mansion with a central courtyard. The exterior walls, though decorated, create
a defensive and intimate atmosphere and a shaded canopy (chhajja) is supported by stone
supports that run the length of the facade, shelter the only entrance. The entrance is via a large
arched door closed by two large reinforced metal doors, hinged on stone pillars, with a small
gate in one or both shutters allowing entry without opening. main door. Rooms overlooking
the courtyard serve as bedrooms and shops. The people on the lower floors are open
compartments, behind are closed rooms. Stairs built inside lead to the upper floor and flat roof.
The upper rooms are accessed by a narrow passage supported by stone supports set against the
wall. The floors of the bathrooms are covered with a thin layer of waterproof lime that slopes
towards the drain. The flat roof is an important space in the house for family gatherings and
even a place to sleep at night. Fixed sockets around the roof are used to fix the shamiana in
functions.
Fig.10 Traditional Havelis in Punjab & Haryana Region
Vernacular Architecture of North East India
'Paradise Unexplored', that is what the North East India named as. Rich in a treasure trove of
traditions, it captivates tourists and is the pride of locals. The North East India has its own
vernacular architecture which has developed throughout the ages and has been an integral part
of its cultural background. Built by the inhabitants themselves with locally available materials,
the traditional buildings are time tested, sustainable and sensitive to the micro climatic
conditions and natural calamities, including earthquakes which the North East region is prone
to.
The North East India comprises of seven sister states- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya,
Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Sikkim was integrated into North East in 2002, as
the eighth sister state. The North East region lies between latitudes 21°N to 30°N and 89°40' E
to 97°18'E longitudes (Wikipedia, 2013). Most of the north-eastern states have a humid
subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, severe monsoons, and mild winters. The states
of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, however have a montane climate with cold, snowy winters
and mild summers.
However, the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have a mountainous climate with cold,
snowy winters and mild summers. Architectural styles developed in the Northeast due to
traditional, climatic and functional factors. Materials used are locally available materials such
as bamboo, cane leaves, mud and lime. Recently, brick. crushed stone, slate, surkhi, etc. are
also used. Sloped roofs are an architectural feature common to all architectural styles due to
the heavy rainfall in the Northeast. According to the materials used and the type of construction,
the traditional houses of North East India can be broadly classified as:
Kutchha Houses
These houses are essentially made from organic renewable resources such as bamboo, mud,
grass, straw, cane leaves, cane etc. Plinth and foundations are made of earth fixed with wooden
or bamboo poles, walls are made of bamboo mulch, split bamboo frames, grass, earth, sugar
cane leaves, etc. and thatched roofs, of wheat straw or corn, of bamboo frames. The 'kutchha
houses' have got different forms in North East due to micro climatic differences and cultural
beliefs.
Fig. 11 Kutchha House
Bamboo and wooden kutchha house
This type of traditional kutchha houses are seen in the plains of nearly all states of north-east
with very small changes as per local climates The main materials used are: bamboo poles driven
into the floor, bamboo trusses for sloping roofs, thatched roofs, bamboo shingles for floors and
walls. Sometimes mud plaster is used over walls mixed with cow dung. In cloudy areas and
cold climates like Arunachal Pradesh, walls are made of wood or built of stone to keep the heat
inside. These types of houses are mostly rectangular with mainly three or four compartments.
Plans and sizes vary by required with linear programming, the rooms open to each other. The
typical layout of a house includes Sora Ghar, Huwa Ghar and Randhani Ghar. Sora Ghar or
living room is a public space to gather, meet relatives or visitors. This room also has a hammer
or Dhenki machine. This room has a shared central fireplace called 'Jui Hali', on which hanging
platforms are kept to store household items. Huwa Ghar or bedroom is a space with partitions
depending on the number of married sons and family members. The last room is Randhoni
Ghar, also known as the kitchen, used as a dining room for the family.
Fig.12 Bamboo and wooden kutchha house
Vernacular Architecture of Ladakh
Ladakh, the Persian transliteration of the Tibetan societies, is a district which is located in the
state of Jammu & Kashmir which presently extends from Kunlun mountain range to the main
great Himalayas to the south includes the upper Indus River Valley. The highest platue of the
state of Jan1mu & Kashmir, Ladakh is inhabited by the people of lndo-Aryan and Tibetan.
Pertaining to the construction techniques, it is very vital and beneficial to study the vernacular
architectural tradition of Ladakh as these present an exact picture of how local folks have been
able to counter the inclemency of w-eather through architecture.
In the Ladakh region, most houses are built on two levels. The ground floor is devoted to
animals, wood storage and forage for the winter, while the upper floor is devoted to living
space. In most houses, there is a single large room with an oven in the comer which is used for
cooling as well as heating the interior spaces. The houses are made entirely of mud, sometimes
reinforced with horizontally placed timber members. The walls are brick or unburnt sun-dried.
Originally, the walls were plastered with mud while the floors were mud or wood. The ceiling
height is low to provide the required insulation in all the areas. Every precaution can be taken
to retain heat and maintain an internal temperature for conductive life. So the houses in Ladakh
are basically utilitarian. The description of some of the materials used in the area are:-
A. Mud Brick: Mud bricks are composite chiefly of clay, silt and sand. Due to the abundance
of sand, the surface water absorption of bricks is reduced. Presence of clay and silt helps to
bind the brick.
B. Foundations: Earth easily absorbs water which lowers its load bearing capacity. Thus lime
is used as a binding material in foundation to provide its strength.
C. Walls: Walls are built upon foundations raising above the ground level. The top of the
foundation should not be wider than the bottom of the wall to avoid any structural damage in
case of earthquakes. Walls are generally thick at the bottom and taper gradually as they rise.
D. Roof Details: As Ladakh sustains in cold and dry climatic conditions, the ceiling is
mainly built in mud and wood due to their insulating properties and easy availability.
E. Mud Plaster: Mud plaster is applied wet 15-25 mm thick. Most mud plasters need
annual patching when used outdoors, but stick well to mud walls.
F. Insulate ceilings, exterior walls and floors: During the day, the natural heat gained will be
retained by the insulation. The wood waste produced during the construction is filled in the
ceiling to stop the heat loss through the roof
The outer Walls are insulated by a jacket wall outside the main structural wall. The six-inch
gap between the two walls is filled with low cost insulation: saw dust, wood shavings or
sometimes paper and plastic garbage like bottles and bags. Sometimes we have also used cow
dung as an insulating plaster. Mixed with the right amount of earth and clay, it forms a durable
and heat-efficient plaster. also become a heat block or heat bank because they are now insulated
from cold ground. This type of flooring will absorb excess heat during the day and release it at
night. Otherwise, the floor can be a major heat loss area.
G. Thermal mass in Walls and Floors: We build our buildings three feet (1 m) or more below
ground on the north side. The building benefits from the stability of earth's temperature at that
depth, which is relatively warm in winter and cool in summer. It also helps us get building
materials - soil - directly at the construction site. The earth we dig eventually becomes the wall
of the building.
Conclusion:
Vernacular Architecture is a term most commonly used for indigenous and traditional
architecture. The qualities of this architecture are directly reflected in its "indigenous" notation,
which means that the architecture is very specific to its geographical location and belongs to
the people it belongs to. In indigenous urban construction, houses or other structures indigenous
to a particular place gradually undergo transformation. Traditional architecture is the
architectural style that considers all the needs and requirements of the people, nature, building
materials and also reflects tradition and culture.
Although different from the prevailing view of the built environment, the use of indigenous
materials, design and construction techniques plays a central role in the design and architecture
of society. It is mainly found in rural areas of India, with structures built using local materials
and designed and planned to meet all needs and requirements of the local inhabitants. The
structures built are not only made of indigenous materials, but even the planning is done
keeping in mind the necessities of the local society and culture.
The essence of vernacular architecture lies in its cultural characteristics and attributes. Gender
roles and family habits For example, a woman`s routine begins in the morning, her main
workspace is the kitchen and the open space attached to it (many times the yard) where she
cooks, cleans and bathing children, etc. She goes to the farm with food for the male members
and collects fodder and returns. Thus, we see that its interactive areas in the house are the
kitchen, the open spaces attached to it, the bedroom, and outside the house the well or the river
and the farm.
Therefore, the main areas of interaction with the house are the Baithaks or Otlas, the sleeping
area and the Gothas. On the other hand, outside the house, her man's areas of interaction are
farms and Chaupal. There are collective activities that take place cyclically but not daily such
as going to the weekly market, listening to Pravachans music in the temple, visiting important
places during some festivals, for example women worshiping Banyan trees near the nearby
Banyan Tree. These activities are located in space within the habitat.
Thus, we found that gender roles and family habits are created in places of family
communication such as courtyards, indoors, and social places such as places of worship,
Baithak and Chaupal. The home economy is reflected in indigenous architecture in two forms.
Thus, the family's economy is reflected in the type of house. Second, the economics of families
are affected by the size, location and permanence of the building, etc.
It depends on how the family interacts. The habits of eating, cooking, preparing, consuming
and storing energy are reflected in the vernacular architecture. Religions and beliefs influence
the orientation and differentiation of buildings. The sacred architecture is influenced by
religion.
The gods to worship, the rituals to be followed are all decided by the religion, while the ritual
determines the daily activities performed and the festivals held. For example, Hindu houses in
Braj, Orchha and Maharashtra have Tulsi Vrindavan in their courtyards, Devghar for their
gods, and so on. They are used for their daily rituals in the house while public festivals like
Ganesh Utsav, Krishna Janmashtami etc. for group activities is also located in the
common/lover area.
Local community values and norms are part of indigenous architecture. For example, you never
enter the temple or the kitchen with your shoes, etc. The cultural characteristics and attributes
mentioned above give indigenous architecture a wide range of values, making it an
irreplaceable, individually constructed heritage resource. Continuity is maintained across
generations by maintaining the values that make up the essence of vernacular architecture but
at the same time assimilating new values that make it more valuable.
i
(Sarkar, 2015)
ii
(Kawathekar, 2020)
iii
(Sarkar, 2015)
References:
Oliver Paul, 1997, Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World, vol1 Cambridge
university press, Cambridge.
TipnisAishwarya, 2012, Vernacular Traditions, Contemporary Architecture, The Energy
and Resources Institute (TERI), TERI Press, New Delhi.
DeySarkarKaninika, 2015, Indian Vernacular Planning, Civil Engineering and Urban
Planning: an international journal, vol. 2, no. 1
UpadhyayVibha, 2017, city Transformation in Traditional Havelis: A case of walled Jaipur,
Rajasthan, Imperial journal of interdisciplinary research, vol.3, issue-2.
SarkarAmitava, 2011, adaptive climate responsive vernacular construction in high altitude,
International Journal of Architectural and Environmental engineering, vol.5, no.12.
Mauro Sassu, vernacular housing construction, university of pisa, italy
Earthen architecture in auroville linking a world tradition with modernity
http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1906/jaipur-evolution-of-an-indian-city
http://arkistudentscorner.blogspot.in/2012/01/padmanabhapuram-palace.html
http://goanarchitecture.blogspot.in/2007/11/stone-and-earth.html
The Introduction of Modernism in India, Pankaj Vir Gupta
The journey of sustainability-the Indian vernacular and beyond-Swati Chokshi