Vernacular Architecture VIII

Assignment III

Group IV

Ashna Sethi (9/16)

Nalin Kumar (23/16)
Rizul Gupta (32/16)
Q. ​Discuss with examples the role of climate and technology in the creation of
vernacular buildings.

Role of Climate

One of the most significant influences on vernacular architecture is the microclimate of

the area in which the building is constructed. Vernacular architecture is climatically
responsive. Climate responsive design is based on the way a building form and
structure moderates the climate for human good and well being. Climate responsive
design in buildings takes into account the following climatic parameters which have a
direct influence on indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption in buildings:

● The air temperature

● The humidity
● The prevailing wind direction and speed
● The amount of solar radiation and the solar path
● Longwave radiation between other buildings and the surrounding environment
and sky also plays a major role in building performance.

Common Inferences

● Buildings in cold climates invariably have high thermal mass or significant

amounts of insulation. They are usually sealed in order to prevent heat loss,
and openings such as windows tend to be small or non-existent.
● Buildings in warm climates, by contrast, tend to be constructed of lighter
materials and to allow significant cross-ventilation through openings in the
The fabric of the building.
● Buildings for a continental climate must be able to cope with significant
variations in temperature, and may even be altered by their occupants
according to the seasons.
● Buildings take different forms depending on precipitation levels in the region –
leading to dwellings on stilts in many regions with frequent flooding or rainy
monsoon seasons.
● Flat roofs are rare in areas with high levels of precipitation. Similarly, areas
with high winds will lead to specialized buildings able to cope with them, and
buildings will be oriented to present minimal area to the direction of
prevailing winds.
Such specializations are not designed but learn by trial and error over
generations of building construction, often existing long before the scientific
theories that explain why they work.

Role of Technology
The local environment and the construction materials it can provide, govern many
aspects of vernacular architecture. Areas rich in trees will develop a wooden vernacular,
while areas without much wood may use mud or stone. In early California, redwood
water towers supporting redwood tanks and enclosed by redwood siding (tank houses)
were part of a self-contained wind-powered domestic water system. In the Far East, it is
common to use bamboo, as it is both plentiful and versatile. Vernacular, almost by
definition, is sustainable, and will not exhaust the local resources. If it is not sustainable,
it is not suitable for its local context, and cannot be vernacular.

Construction elements and materials frequently found in vernacular buildings include:

● Adobe – a type of mud brick, often covered with white-wash, commonly used in
Spain and Spanish colonies
● Bad girs – a type of chimney used to provide natural ventilation, commonly found
in Iran, Iraq and other parts of the Middle-East
● Cob – a type of plaster made from subsoil with the addition of fibrous material to
give added strength
● Mashrabiya (also known as shanashol in Iraq) – a type of oriel window with
timber lattice-work, designed to allow ventilation, commonly found in Iraq and
Egypt in upper-class homes
● Mud bricks – loam or sand mixed with water and vegetable matter such as straw
● Rammed earth often used in foundations
● Thatch – dry vegetation used as the roofing material
● Wiechert – a blend of white earth and clay

Today, we are using technological solutions to help our buildings become more
sustainable, and these can fall into the two categories of high tech and low-tech
systems.
Low-tech solutions are passive and indirect solutions that designers have used for years
to manipulate environmental conditions in a building to improve comfort. These include
techniques of sun shading, natural ventilation, and passive cooling that capitalize and
manipulate environmental conditions. We have used these age-old solutions, as seen in
many vernacular buildings of the past that would use locally sourced materials with an
understanding of the immediate environmental context, inadvertently designing in a
sustainable way. Low-tech solutions are highly sustainable because they do not
increase the energy input or output of a building during its construction or inhabitance.
Rather, they redirect existing environmental resources to make conditions comfortable
for human occupation.

High tech solutions, on the other hand, use technological innovations to implement
“smart” systems that monitor and adjust aspects of the building to human needs. These
can include automatically controlled air conditioning, buildings that can clean
themselves with “smart” windows, and highly complex green walls that increase the
number of plants and trees. The problem with the ideals of high tech in buildings is that
it gives the preconceptions of being sustainable through the notion that it reduces a
building's overall energy consumption “smartly”, but does not consider how that energy
is obtained, or how much energy is consumed by the technologies that created the
building.

Examples

The following Locations have been studied in the presentation:

1. Himachal Pradesh

2. Assam

3. Madhya Pradesh

4. Maharashtra

5. Kerala
 1) Himachal Pradesh

● The Traditional Architecture of Himachal Pradesh is the outcome of the prevailing

topography, extremes of the climate, and other natural forces.

● During hundreds of years, man has developed some constructive techniques to

obtain internal comfort considering the local climatic condition.

● The character and forms are different from one climatic and geographic zone to
others which can be identified in three separate zones, i.e., up to 4000 ft. (1200
m approx.), up to 9000 ft. (2700 m approx.) and above 9000 ft. (2700 m approx.)
So the state of Himachal can be broadly classified into three zones depending
upon their elevation.

Foot Hills or The Lower - Himalayan Region

 ● In the first climatic zone i.e., up to a height of 4,000 ft. (1200 m approx.),
where climatic conditions are mild throughout the year, i.e. pleasant
summers, mild winters, and medium rainfalls. The special characteristics
of this zone are the absence of snowfall.
● ln areas of heavy rainfall such as Dharamshala and Palampur steeply
sloping roofs and deep verandahs are necessary, the former to drain off
the rains quickly and the later to allow open-air living during the rainy
season and for protection of the walls.

Mountains Of Medium Height/Mid Hills Or The Middle - Himalayan Region

● The climate throughout the year is mild to chilly in comparison to planes,

i.e., cool in the summer and rainy season with heavy rainfall. During winter
there is always snowfall and temperature goes down below zero.
● The design of buildings in this zone is influenced by the elements of
snowfall, chilly winter, and heavy rainfall.
● Floors are made of wood not more than 2.10-2.40 m high for better
insulation.
● The upper floors project out of the stone wall with wooden balconies
creating a sunspace for sitting. Thus maximizes heat gain.
● A typical “Dhajji House” is composed of small panels, stone masonry, and
timber of thickness 0.45- 0.60 m which has a time lag of 8 - 9 hours which
keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer for maximum part of
the year.
 Higher Mountains or the Higher Himalayan Region

● The climatic conditions keep on changing with the altitude, i.e., from 9000
ft. to 11000 ft. (2700 - 3300 m approx). There is rain as well as snowfall
but after 11000 ft. (3300 m approx.) there is only snowfall.
● Due to climatic conditions, the development of vernacular architecture is
based on construction techniques that are entirely different from any other
region. The rocks keep on disintegrating due to vast temperature
differences between day and night. The snow falls is also in powder form,
due to winter temperature of minus zero reaching up to minus 32 degree
in mid-winter.
● The method of construction used is rammed earth block for walls beaten
earth for flooring and flat roof consisting of earth layer over 6-7 layers of
Bitula barks which are placed over wooden planks supported by wooden
joists.
● There is a 0.10 m layer of sand in between two layers of Bitula barks. To
Conserve energy the height of rooms is confined to 2.10 m and openings
are very small.
● Thick walls up to 0.60 m wide are built by pouring wet mud mortar and
ramming it to make it compact before pouring another layer. Monolithic
Walls thus constructed keep the interiors cold in the chilling winters.
● Thick flat mud roofs are used for insulation in Lahaul while in places with
rainfall slate roofs are adopted.
 2) Kerala

● Kerala Architecture is one of the most exciting examples of the

preservation of vernacular styles.
● The evolution of the domestic architecture of Kerala followed closely the
trend of development in temple architecture.
● The primitive models of circular, square, or rectangular plain shapes with a
ribbed roof evolved from functional consideration.
● The climate of Kerala greatly influenced traditional architecture.
● The natural building materials available for construction in Kerala i.e.
stones, timber, clay, and palm leaves have anchored and guided the
acceptance or rejection of outside influences.

Influence of Climate

● Kerala has a warm humid climate.

● The rainfall is very heavy from southwest and northeast monsoons.
● To keep the rain and sun away from the walls the roofs of the building
come down very low.
● They have verandahs all round the building protecting the external walls
from sun and rain.
● The width of the verandah varies from 2 ft. to 12ft.
● In rooms where people spend most of their time during the day the
window openings were brought in at ground level otherwise the windows
 were small so that there was only subdued light inside or had timber jalis
to give diffused light without glare.
● They also have an internal courtyard for a better flow of air.
● A lot of timber was used in architecture those days due to its availability. It
was also meant to bring life into the buildings. The woodwork used for
roofs, columns, doors, etc. later on became one of the main
characteristics of Kerala architecture.
● Most of the buildings had sloping roofs. It was meant to withstand the
heavy rains. Since the water was plentiful, every house had a well.

Roofing System

● The ridged roof pitched at angles between 30degree to 40degree.

● The roof with intricately carved gables protruding from the roof with
overhangs supported by wooden brackets.
● The roof is prefabricated and different members are fixed on the ground
and assembled at the top. No nails are used.
● The roof is kept in position by interlocking with the hole in the rafters.
● Walls made of timber or earth and roof of coconut leaves or tiles are
common in many parts of Kerala.
● Structurally the roof frame is supported on the pillars on walls erected on a
plinth raised from the ground for protection against dampness and insects
in the tropical climate. The roofs are steep and pointed and covered with
copper sheets.
● The Kerala roof resembles those found in the Himalayan regions and
those in East Asia.
● The shape of the roof is in accordance with the plan of the space below.
With a circular plan, one sees a conical roof, while with a square plan the
roof is pyramidal.
 3) Assam

In Assam, British started their kingdom in 1826. During 120 yrs of their rule in
Assam, they had constructed many buildings, bridges, bungalows, schools and
colleges etc.

British Colonial Architecture

Before the British the buildings constructed by kings were very uneconomical and
the construction system was very difficult. The house of the common people was
of thatch roof with bamboo walls plastered with a mixture of mud and cow dung.
The British were studied in the local environment and local building materials and
accordingly designed comfortable and beautiful buildings. They had started a
special type of construction, which finally became the typical building type and
called” Assam type house”.
 Climate of Assam

● In Assam, pleasant sub-alpine climate prevails in the hills. However, the plains
experience tropical climates during the rainy seasons.
● Winter starts from around the end of the month of October and lasts till the mid of
March. The temperature drops to a minimum of 6 to 8 o Celsius, the nights and
early mornings are foggy.
● Summer arrives in the middle of May accompanied by high humidity and rainfall.
The temperature reaches a maximum of 35 to 38 o Celsius.
● However, The frequent rains push the mercury level down.The Monsoons blow
full blast during the month of April and is known as Bordoichilla.

Building Type

● The building is of two-storied houses.

● The building is symmetrical on both sides.
● The 1st floor is connected with a timber staircase.
● Open spaces in front (chotal) and backside (bari) of the house.
● Walls are of timber framework, inside those panels ikara used to fill.
● These ikaras are cut in the size of the panel and laid vertically.
● The horizontal members are usually bamboo.
● After putting on the ikara, it is left to dry for a few days.
● Then it is plastered on both sides with mud mortar.
● 3 layers of plaster are done alternatively after dying of each coat.
● Finished coat is a liquid mix of mud and cow dung.

Roof

● Roof layout is very critical.

● It is at various levels and multi-cornered.
● But the angle of inclination is the same.
● Roof is of corrugated iron sheet.
● Sheets are fixed in timber purlin by nail.
● Rubber washer is used to protect the rain drop penetration through the side of
the nail.
 Ceiling

● Made of wooden beams.

● Wooden members stick very close to each other.
● Supported by vertical wooden /steel columns.
● A fully wooden structure.
 Flooring

● Flooring is of cement flooring.

● Accommodation of dust coming from the street in all rooms in the front side.

Special Features

Front facade

As the site is compact with so many houses, so as to provide better ventilation, the front
façade is very important.
● Contains large no of openings.
● Sheds are provided, restricting rainfall.
● Arrange at a different level.
● Better ventilation in front rooms.
● Sill level of the window is about 60 cm only
● Roof is of sloping from to provide shed during rain
 High plinth level

● Plinth is of about 60-70 cm.

● To provide foundation.
● Reduce dust and smoke on roads to enter inside the house.
● To provide better air circulation for light inside.

Entrance

● Two entrances.
● Directly open to the street.
● Ideally built according to their needs.
● 10 mts of open space in front of the house.
 4) Gondia, Maharashtra
● Gondia district (almost on Maharashtra and MP border) is located near Nagpur in
Maharashtra.
● The traditional dwellings situated there are typical for that region.
● The houses varied from small single storied mud structures to three or even
more, in similar patterns.
● This is a study of a three storied haveli belonging to a zamindar.
● Spaces are arranged about a central space which is the main bedroom.
● The plan is a rough 7x7 grid.
● The wall thicknesses vary from 1m and downwards.
● The building seems to be built keeping in mind all the seasons.
● Though it is best suited for summers.
● The upper floors act as false ceilings.
● The side passage rooms act as wind channels.
● Absence of openings reduces the heat exchange to the minimum.
● The roof extends almost a meter beyond the walls, probably to protect the heavy
rainwater from soaking the walls.
● As well as to provide shade from the sun and prevent heating up of the building.
● Front courtyard faces the north, preventing direct solar rays on the most used
part.
● The rear verandah can be used much more in winter due to the sun's southern
inclination.
 Specific Features Keeping In Mind The Climatic Conditions

To resist heat gain

● Increase of thermal resistance and capacity by maximizing the building

depth.(The thick walls increase the time lag)
● Increase of buffer spaces
● (Low utility areas like verandahs, courtyards, storages, etc.)Low utility upper
floors act as false ceilings.
● Light colouring to minimize heat absorption by the walls.
● Promote heat loss
● Vegetation outside to decrease glare
● Overhanging roof to the north and south to provide protection from sun and rain
and glare from the bright overcast sky
● Planting and layout provide protection from hot dry and cold winds
● Walls to provide some shade to external spaces
● Main habitable rooms facing north and south
● Main openings to the north and south
● Dwellings facing onto fairly generously proportional courtyards
 5) Madhya Pradesh

● The climate of central India is tropical. However, for thermal comfort, climate and
microclimate play a significant role.
● Typically thermal comfort requires low solar gain, ventilation, and adequate
natural light in the day time.
● During the night time in winters, the heat gain inside the house needs to be
retained. In monsoon protection for dwellers as well as the cattle are required.
● The habitats on plains have a moderate climate as compared to the hilly regions.
In hilly regions, the days are warmer and the nights are cooler.

Model 1

● This is essentially the house of farmers and not the house of tribes, who inhabit
them. It is the richest in terms of size, hierarchy of spaces and use of material.
● This house has an enclosure for protection. It has a formal open courtyard used
for social activities, semi enclosed private space which is used for guests, a
covered living space which is sometimes two storied and a cooking space with a
rear courtyard.
● The roof type is lean to for semi open space and double lean to for covered and
private spaces.
● The walls are 60 to 90 cm thick mud walls. The roofing is done with earthen tiles
 supported by timber framework. For supporting roofs of semi open spaces timber
columns are used. The openings have door panels only on the external walls.
For ventilation small vents are provided on the external walls.

Model 2

The second type of house Model-II is found in linear pattern and follows the hierarchy of
semi open, covered and semi open spaces. In this case the house is elongated along
the major axis and there are no openings on side walls. Bamboo baskets or the grain
storage made up of mud are used for creating partitions in living spaces. The house is
of mud walls with pitched roof with earthen tiles, reeds are used for partitions. For cattle
a temporary structure is erected either in front of the house or along the side walls.