Rethinking Green Practices in a Cost Effective Way for Domestic

Architecture in Indian Context

N.Jothilakshmy
B.Arch, MTP, (Ph D), Faculty of Architecture, Sathyabama University, email:
jothi.lakshmy@gmail.com

R.Arulmalar
B.Arch, MTP, Faculty of Architecture, Sathyabama University, email: arulmalar21@gmail.com

Abstract

According to the psychologist Bachelard (1948), a house is “oneiric” i.e. reminder of memories, colour, odour
irrespective of time, place and context. The outstanding difference between the preindustrial vernacular
amateurs and modern architect- the former is deeply rooted in culture and traditional practices whereas the latter
had an unlimited variety of materials and new technologies irrespective of the context. We have moved a long
way from the caves to ultramodern high tech buildings forgetting the local materials and construction techniques
which are specifically place related. This paper is an attempt to highlight the various ways through which
architects have integrated the various techniques from the preindustrial era and today’s green practices for
domestic architecture in today’s context which is forever appropriate to place, time and people.

Key words: vernacular practices, context, green, domestic architecture

1. Introduction
According to Jones (1999), “A building has to be both poem and machine”. ‘Power’ can be interpreted as the
spatial experiences and everlasting memories associated with the conceptualised volumes of spaces, form,
particularly to the greatest extent in domestic architecture. ‘Machine’ can be looked in to as the integration of
various modern technologies to reduce the energy consumed by the built environment. This is an attempt to
address the different ways through which the modern architects have integrated the pre industrial vernacular
techniques with modernity satisfying the changing spirits of the changing ages (Pevsner, ). The resultant hybrid,
may be known as ‘glocal’ – an ideal mix of the global and local (Shah, 2008). In addition, it also explores the
modern cost effective techniques still in context, through which the spaces have been exquisitely rendered still
retaining the spirits of the indigenous techniques.

2. The need for soft green practices

In general, developing countries look in to ‘green architecture’, as just a way to establish a connection between
the users of the built and natural environment using universal high-tech techniques without incorporating the
local context. The need for the developing nations to focus on social obligations along with the low tech green
principles is a must which is the need of the hour to make the dwelling spaces unique in nature. With the
availability of a variety of new materials in the market, there is a greater pressure on the right choice of
materials and construction techniques to make the built environment appropriate to the site in context. The spirit
of ‘appropriateness’ must be achieved in physical as well as social terms. To establish this in reality, there is a
need to adopt ‘low tech’ or ‘soft green practices’ instead of high tech concepts (Edwards, 2001).

3. ‘Low tech’ or ‘Soft green’ architecture

It can be defined as the integration of local skills, appropriate concepts, construction techniques which are
traditional processes, modern processes and a combination of both as shown in Figure 1. The outcome of this
integration process with social obligation can be described as a contemporary version of native processes,
unique in character and highly place specific. From 1960s onwards, architects have been a great source of
inspiration for erecting structures deeply rooted in the region. The original or abstracted native concepts, local
skills, genuine construction techniques have been incorporated in the modern houses as in Table 1, satisfying the
needs of the occupants physically, socially as well as spiritually.

Locally available
materials

Local Appropriate
skills concepts

Traditional Soft Innovative eco friendly

‘processes’ green processes by
transferred from one practices integrating vernacular
generation to
style and new
another
technology
Constructio
n processes

Figure 1: Interpretation of soft green practices

Table 1: An overview of soft green practices in India

Glocal- Appropriate concepts Social Construction techniques –

interpretations obligation traditional / vernacular
Laurie Baker’s Concerned about local climate, Established link Rat trap bond, brick on edges
works terrain, vegetation and lifestyle. with local for lintel, arches, filler slab
Use of traditional construction traditions – using mangalore tiles, steel
and taking optimum benefits brick screen reinforcement with permanent
from the new building materials walls, louvers bamboo , shuttering, vertical
Architecture – medium for a and columns planks pivoted at top and bottom
message on local craft, tradition as shutters for windows
and economy

Shirish Avrani – Vernacular Gujarat tribal Walls made of Wooden columns replaced with
Tradition in srchitecture stabilised mud cheaper than RCC circular steel
urban block with non posts, sloping roof of Mangalore
environment erodable mud tiles filler slab, doors and
plaster windows with precast frames
and Newud MDF shutters
Darpana Sawant Conserving stance towards the For making pots Insulating terracotta roofing
– alternative use of natural resources , and mud blocks elements, burnt clay pots as
methods to structures that are healthy and fillers in RCC slab, burnt clay
survival on climatically comfortable an trapezoidal units for flat roofs.
Anupama alternative technology
Kundoos ideas
Vandana A synthesis of the past and Construction of Structural and aesthetic use of
Baweja – the present, establish a sense of a funicular shell exposed bricks, exploits the
nature of the time and place, spaces organised colour and texture
brick around a courtyard
Gayathri and Coexistence of opposite yet Manufacture of Roof slabs are made of burnt
Namith – Rustic complimentary concepts of local Hurudi terracotta cavity blocks (Hurudi
 resonance traditional and modern blocks blocks), use of traditional
Athangudi floor tiles
Sanjay Udamale Architecture in context – Use of local Conical RCC roof with
– Architecture, climate, culture and region crafts – pots, ventilation shaft, pots as filler in
culture and embroidery and roofs, embroidery transformed
change textile printing in to geometrical patterns as
flooring patterns, textile patterns
in fibre glass panels
Parul Zaveri & To achieve a balance between For Domes, fenestrations, detailing
Nimish Patel – continuity with the past and the construction, – patterns on floor, walls and
approaching future, congruent with the detailing and roofs
sustainable surroundings aesthetics
architecture
Arjun Nambisan Forms, scale and spatial Use of pots Sloped roof, exposed brick and
character- associated with stone finishes, pots as fillers in
tradition flat RCC roofs
Sandeep khosla Sensitively laying out buildings Rich spatial Sloped roof, stone columns with
in close harmony with terrain experiences steel members supporting the
and climatic conditions, spaces rafter
around courtyard
Rajeev Agarwal Deeper understanding of local Terrazzo inlay Exposed brickwork, steel
crafts, careful use of materials between kotta handrails and glass
to infuse character in space. stone tiles on
the floor
Rajesh Architecture – depth of ideas Local skill – Use of metal sections, sloped
Renganathan and the necessacity of invention stones from roof, exposed brick and stone
local quarry finishes
Satprem Maini Buildings to grow from the site Local skill for Use of locally made mud blocks
constructing for the construction of built
vaults and forms
domes
Giridhar Cohesive and vital living Imparting skills Roof – hollow clay blocks on
environment to the locale precast RCC rafters to
shuttering cost
Superstructure – cement soil
blocks in cement soil mortar
Foundation – sized stone
masonry cement soil mortar

4. Conclusion

The need to look in to social welfare is gaining importance from the point of sustainability. The use of locally
available materials and construction techniques roots the buildings in terms of physical context, whereas the
lifestyle, culture is associated with the social context. Retrieving the local crafts and skills plays a primary role
in establishing economical background for the locale and simultaneously, modern buildings incorporating such
crafts to suit the current spirits of the occupants portray a contemporary version of the pre industrial vernacular
era. These built environments embellish either the genuine traditional images of dwelling units or in an abstract
form expressing images unique in Indian context. These modified expression, effectively connects us with the
past as well as the future.

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