Generative Writing-

Topic: Understanding the Bhunga house form of Kutch as a climate-responsive design

Bhungas are never “designed” in a modern context. It is traditionally what is best

structurally and functionally for the region. Usually done in a single-phase construction, a
traditional Kutchi house has mud walls and a thatched roof and is circular in shape. The
diameter of a Bhunga is around 3-6 m, with a foundation depth of up to 24 inches (0.6 m).
These huts are constructed by local craftspeople and have elaborate mud and mirror work
maybe even murals on the inside. They have and use an array of locally sourced materials
as well like brick/timber and stone, these have more been modified and sun-dried clay
blocks are most common; a cow dung and mud plaster also form stiff mud that can be used.
Traditional roof systems are a lightweight conical roof, with wooden member post to support
and usually covered in thatch. The thatched roof is made of bamboo sticks with a wooden
top dome. Dried grass rope is used to tie these sticks together. The roof is also covered with
a thick layer of grass.
This circular mud house is an integration of local available materials and geometry as a
response to the harsh climate, with only 2 smaller window openings on a lower level and one
door for an entry. Due to this shape, forces of inertia are developed in the thick walls that
make it resistant to lateral external forces in cases of earthquakes. Reinforcing bands have
been utilised to offer additional strength at the lintel and collar levels in some cases. These
bands are made of either bamboo or RCC. These considerably improve the lateral load-
carrying strength and seismic resilience of the Bhungas. This thick wall also provides for
insulation in the hot and dry climate. In their plans, all of the villages have random
configurations. The circular Bhungas are arranged on a huge platform to create a courtyard
for community gatherings. These arrangements demonstrate the closeness of community
connection and lifestyle.
In the instance of bhunga wall construction, clayey soil and rice husk are being used for
earth blocks, cement mortar is being used for foundations, and earth is supplied from
neighboring regions, and cow dung and local earth is being utilised for plaster. Cow dung
and local mud are now used to make the plaster layer, which is known as gobar Lipan in the
area. Water is added to make it more workable. A first coat is applied to the wall's exterior
surface and smoothed with the hands. It takes roughly a day to finish, after which a second
layer is put to the interior surface. On both sides of the wall, these inner and exterior layers
are alternated, accumulating up to seven layers. The interior is often painted with white over
which paintings and explorations of folk-art forms are done.

Flow of air in plan- Thermal insulation in cylindrical

thick walls-