AR 307 | Elective

Traditional
Architecture
of Kerala.
Aditya .vp
BARN1AR21001
❏ Location

Kerala is the twenty-fifth largest state in India, in the

area surrounded by Karnataka on the northeast, Tamil Nadu
on the east, and the Arabian Sea on the west. With a
coastline of around 600 km of the Arabian sea.`

❏ Climate & Geography

Favored by generous rains and bright sun, this land is lush green. In the uneven
terrain of this region, habitation is distributed thickly in the rich low- lands and sparsely
towards the hostile mounds. Heavy rains have brought in presence of large water bodies in
form of lakes, gutters, backwoods, and lagoons. The climatic factors, therefore, made its
significant benefactions in developing the architecture style, to fight the wettest climatic
conditions coupled with heavy moisture and harsh tropical summers.
❏ Nālukettu
The nalukettu houses catered to large families of the traditional tharavadu, to live under
one roof and enjoy the commonly owned facilities of the marumakkathayam homestead.

Typically a rectangular structure

where four halls are joined together
with a central courtyard open to the
sky.

The four halls on the sides are

named :
● Vadakkini (northern block),
● Padinjattini (western block),
● Kizhakkini (eastern block) and
● Thekkini (southern block).
The layout of these homes is simple.
Every structure receives sunlight, and in
some well designed naalukettu, there is
excellent ventilation. Temperatures, even
in the heat of summer, are markedly
lower within the naalukettu.

Elements of Nalukettu :
Padippura Poomukham

Chuttu veranda Charupadi

Ambal Kulam Nadumuttam

Ettukettu (eight halled with two central

courtyards) or Pathinarukettu (sixteen
halled with four central courtyards) are
the more elaborate forms of the same
architecture.
 Features :

Materials used for ● Cross ventilation

construction :

Laterite

Lime

Granite

Timber

Earth/Mud
● Solar Shading

● Roof Insulation & Protection

From Rain
Plan, Sections & Elevations :