An Approach to Integrate Vernacular Architectural practice and its

techniques to Contemporary settings – Tamil Nadu as a case study

Under the guidance of Architect Dr.K.Thirumaran, Associate Professor Arch, NIT, Trichy
An Analysis Based Report by Ar.A.Purushothaman PhD Semester-I Reg.No: 401115002
 “An Approach to Integrate Vernacular Architectural practice and its
Aim techniques to Contemporary settings – Tamil Nadu as a case study”

It is a Systematic approach towards the integration of bio climatic design concepts of nativity into modern practices as a
solution to the current climatic issues and Energy problems, it also embraces Traditional energy efficient building
techniques practiced in traditional vernacular Architecture of Tamilnadu houses.
 Development Without considering Energy saving vernacular Architecture

Housing Demand Improper Survival Facilities

Unavailability of Living Standards

 The report of Suresh Tendulkar committee said that 82% of deprived of basic needs in the
country(2008).
 Due to drastic demographic increase the housing demand goes to the top nearly 35% of
Indians are living without shelter(2014).

 “More the People = More we need Cities/villages = More the Energy = it reflects More the
Impact”

 Our villages the traditional practices of constructions are getting vanishing and slowly the
contemporary buildings conquers everywhere – there everyone needs energy
 Urban and Rural Context of India
In India we possesses 5480 urban cities and 640 867 villages.
Due the rapid growth of urban cities there is a huge lag in considering the
quality of environments urban Living as well as rural villages.
All the urban cities of India Possess unhygienic slum environments and
villages are in need of basic amenities and infrastructure facilities.

India the worlds fastest developing nation going to reach 50% of its
population in urban areas by 2030.
 Demography – In and Around - problems
 For about 2.9 million years the population growth rate remains constant but
from 1000 AD to till date the population hike to about 70%.
 In population India ranks number 2 in the list of countries by population.
 The population density in India is 386 people per Km2.
 India's population is equivalent to 17.5% of the total world population.
 27.8% of the population is urban India in which 40% lives without proper
houses. China and India consuming nearly 35% of world energy at present.
http://www.indiaonlinepages.com/population/india-current-population.html
 Society - Vernacular
The human society is the totality of an integrated set of people who lives in a
particular geographical location.

India is the land of diverse culture and heritage.

In its own India has 122 major languages and 1599 other languages.

The most structured integrated living from its historic background itself.

Our Indian civilization is one of the oldest civilizations of the world with wide
knowledge of building science in its own without disturbing environment.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_India
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=vernacular+architecture+of+tamil+nadu&biw=1366&bih=633&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CA
YQ_AUoAWoVChMIs8vwvN7ExwIVCXCOCh2CvwLE#tbm=isch&q=indian+civilisation+and+culture+richness+of+housing+&imgrc=yHmbLtmcH
XaWvM%3A
 Vernacular Architecture
“vernacular architecture is an area of architectural theory that studies the structures
made by empirical builders without the intervention of professional architects. There exist
many areas of non-professional architectural practice, from primitive shelter in distant
communities to urban adaptations of building types that are imported from one country to
another” – Paul Oliver

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=vernacular+architecture+of+tamil+nadu&biw=1366&bih=633&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIs8vwvN7ExwIVCXCOCh2CvwLE
 As Society we Disturbing and ruining
• For Daily needs we are draining energy resources from the earth, almost 45% of world land mass is
already occupied and nearly above 50% of natural resources are completely drained by we people.

• Around 1.8 million species are identified so far in which more than 20% vanished and 15% is in danger.

• Construction Industry consumes 40% of total energy obtained.

• Not only consuming things from the earth we also do…..disturb…..pollute……destroy.

• Together we are juicing up the non renewable energy sources but our tradition possess a wide
knowledge of using renewable energy sources.

https://www.worldenergy.org/
 Pollution - Man Vs Environ This is Just One Simple Example
• Human Activities • 9/10% of Pollution is by Humans not by Nature • Nature
By using fossil fuels coal, crude oil and
Natural Gas we produced 26,8 Billion tonnes
by 2003. from that day to till date the carbon
Emission by fossil fuels increases in a rate of
60%.
Volcanic eruption releases 8000 to
30000 metric tonnes Carbon per day and
per annum all around the world it is
calculated as 200 million metric tonnes.
Atmosphere – GHG emissions
We are keeping Heavier footprints over the Earth.
Things are happening which was not happened
before 600,000 years where organisms initiated the
beginning
Polar Ice Melting – Global Warming.
 Global climatic changes Ozone Depletion

Earth core disturbances

Acid Rain
Issues such as climatic changes, environmental issues, pollution, Resource depletion, Genetic engineering, toxic and non
degradable wastes etc.,

Global Warming
Polar Ice melts
Even Superhero's Can’t able to Save – Coz Reason IS..!
 What will be the solution….?

Conserve energy To Save the Humanity

 How to conserve energy in residences..?
Bio climatic Architecture
interconnected walls provide less Loose roofing elements releases
external impact from sun so it will hot air out – stack effect.
be suitable technique to reduce
heat into building.

Light structure walls losses

Circular structure buildings which exposes minimum towards external and
heat instantly by allowing air maximizes comfort level in hot dry climates of India
Bioclimatic “ism” A movement of Climate responsive vernacular Architecture

• The term Bio climatic was first used by Victor Olgyay in 1963, Architect, Norway.

• The Architecture of vast Era’s & practices of our native scholar's who designed their own homes by understanding the native climate and
using the locally available materials to reflect the culture and heritage of their own.

• i.e., The process of being reconnected to the environment, during the design of buildings are called BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE.
Bioclimatic “ism” A movement of Climate responsive vernacular Architecture
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=environmental+issues&biw=1366&bih=633&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIhP6YgejExw
IVw2qOCh1WTAXW#tbm=isch&q=charles+correa+works

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=environmental+issues&biw=1366&bih=633&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoA
WoVChMIhP6YgejExwIVw2qOCh1WTAXW#tbm=isch&q=karan+grover+works&imgrc=OzLiFOD4AEg4lM%3A

• He stated that Climatic responsive building from the vernacular architecture is a perfect ideology of understanding climate
and natural components of earth to provide a comfortable indoor environment to the users.

• Even today Architects like Charles correa, Karan Grover and various earth architects practicing our vernacular techniques and
systems to achieve maximum comfortable indoor environments with less energy sources.
Need of the Project – Based on E-Demand

• Demand for energy will continue to grow for decades to come.

• Population increases and a growing rate of electrification will place huge requirements on
?E energy supplies.

• Global primary energy demand could increase by 50% by the middle of the century.
• At least 80% of this increase is expected to come from developing countries.
E.!
• The total primary energy demand of India is expected to increase by almost 150% by 2035
• Due to huge population and developments Energy demand in housing sector will be
E.., 200%.

World Energy Council 2013 World Energy Resources: A Summary

Need of the Project – Based on E-Demand

In India the early Rig Veda clearly states the importance of five natural elements sky,
air, water, land and fire(Vaanam, kaatru, neer, nilam and neruppu). Also these
elements should be clearly analyzed before experimenting building.

Traditional building construction guideline vasthushastra also says the same.

“Scientifically it signifies, heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and positioning of

building should be designed after considering these elements which will decrease
energy demand and support supplement source naturally”.
 Need of the Project – Based on E-Demand

India’s population, housing goes and reaching

Himalayan peak we need to provide energy for their
basic needs cant able to generate too much of fossil
fuels so we need ideas to balance this demand.
Scope and Limitations

This is not about going back to traditional systems, and it is all about acquiring traditional practices and techniques to
modern buildings without satisfying current needs.

As Indians we posses our own rich and diverse range of high culture and heritage, for example our Indus valley civilization
cities Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa is the only settlements of that time which posses drainage network and it clearly defines
how systematic our traditional vernacular practices are….!

Our vernacular building construction system practices are starts with site considerations, soil & physical considerations,
climate considered, also considers techniques and materials available etc., it is collectively a perfect passive designing
system with climatic loads and energy consideration.
Scope and Limitations

Vernacular architecture have been developed and practiced by the people over generations & they are tried and tested
practices which sustains over the ravages of time using Locally available materials for their building erection which
responds climate without disturbing the environment.

Among other achievements in bioclimatology, Victor Olgyay developed a bioclimatic chart, which relates climatic data to
thermal comfort limits, to identify design strategies (OLGYAY, 1973).

The bioclimatic design is an approach that takes advantage of the climate through the right application of design
elements and building technology for energy saving as well as to ensure comfortable conditions into buildings (GOULART
and PITTA, 1994; ERG et al., 1999).
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Introduction
So at present if we consider the same Bio climatic approach during the designing phase at initial we can able to save a high
energy potential. However,

In tradition we have regulated design solutions which satisfies their needs but now in modern practices we have a variety
in need and it is diversified.

There is a huge gap between designing buildings with bio climatic design approach and meanwhile our teaching of
Architecture is different when you practice it should be defined.

Bio climatic vernacular practices travelled a long journey to reach its maturity and it has to travel a long distance again to reach
architects and designers to practice this bioclimatic “ism”. - it’s a step to shorten the gap
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Research
Abstract

Research questions and objectives

Literature Study

Research Methodology

Results and analysis of case studies

Conclusion
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - ABSTRACT
India the Youngest Nation which is developing faster competitively equaling to the rest of the world but in another side the sad part
is there exists a huge threat for its Survival in future. This Research if Mainly focusing to Provide a solution for the current emerging
Energy Demands in a Sustainable manner and also a Better solutions to standardize the quality of Life, in terms of Built environments.

It is a search Through various case studies of existing vernacular practices of Tamilnadu related with energy considered traditional
techniques and solutions, experiment it with recent simulation tools and providing solutions to the upcoming generations to practice bio
climatic design Approach.
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Research Questions & objectives
Research Questions
In India we have a wide range of traditional knowledge and practices with respect to built environments but
why its not been practiced by all the architects

What are all the problems faced by architects those who are practicing traditional vernacular practices.

Advantages of the Architects who are not practicing vernacular traditional techniques and methods.

What actually stops to incorporate the techniques of traditional practices…? For example materials, current
methods of construction etc.,
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Research Questions & objectives

Identifying the differences in practice - vernacular and contemporary design techniques with respect to energy
considerations

Understanding the bio climatic concepts of Tamilnadu in various parts of the state.

Integrating design concepts of natural cooling, ventilation and lighting techniques to contemporary practices.
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Literature study
Various vernacular practices of Entire Tamilnadu related to Energy in terms of bio climatic design approach.
Styles like

• Folk and tribal practices

• Houses of farmers
• Houses of landlords
• Great mansions
• Commoner house - courtyard styles like chettinad, kumbakonam, nagarkoil, nagappatinam etc.,
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Research methodology

It is not about creating a model of vernacular style to understand the energy consideration of traditional system

It is to understand the design techniques and practices of vernacular Tamilnadu architecture w.r.t. its native climate

After understanding the problems of practicing vernacular systems through interviews – A case study analysis of Tamilnadu
vernacular practices with respect to bioclimatic design approach – integrating bioclimatic vernacular practices to modern
contemporary design practice.
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Results and analysis of case studies
• Understanding the energy considerations of vernacular practices through simulation.
• Using EcoTect and Energy plus software's
• Observation using equipment's understanding climatic responses of vernacular buildings
Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to modern buildings – Tamil
Nadu as a case study - Conclusion

After the understandings

With respective of integration – Bioclimatic design approaches

Vernacular architecture to Contemporary Architecture of today

 ?
?
? ? ?
Conclusion
?
Via Bio Climatic ARCHITECTURE ?
An Analysis Based Study Report by Ar.A.Purushothaman PhD Semester-I Reg.No: 401115002

Integrating Bio-climatic Vernacular practices and techniques to

modern buildings – Tamil Nadu as a case study

(A Systematic approach towards the integration of bio climatic design concepts of nativity into
modern practices to avoid the current climatic issues and Energy problems, it also embraces
Traditional energy efficient building techniques practiced in vernacular Architecture of Tamilnadu)