VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE IN INDIAN CONTEXT

EASTERN REGION - BENGAL

BENGAL VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

Bengal’s inherent vernacular style is found to commence at the end of

the 10th Century A.D.

Mughals, and later British contributed in the evolution of the vernacular

forms in Bengal from one to another, and to what they are today. British
also brought in the concept of a bungalow.

The form of these vernacular structures is very interesting and unique,

and best examples for cultural and climatic adaption.
PROFILE
Context Snow-capped mountains in the north, swampy rainforests
in the centre, and sea on the south.
Cyclones and floods are the major threats.

Climate Warm-humid climatic zone throughout and extremely hot

in central part and cold and mild heat in northern zone.

Culture Land of mixed culture, including foreign influence.

Occupation:
Agriculture and pastoral activities in rural areas
Resources Materials:
Mud, bamboo and other local wood and thatches and
country tiles in rural areas.
Stone, sun dried bricks and roof tiles in urban areas.

Construction Techniques:
Unique roof forms.
General characteristics of settlements in Rural Bengal region are:

• The village is surrounded

by paddy fields and
made up of several small
linear settlements made
up of clusters.

• Each settlement accommodate two or more caste groups within it.

• The dwelling units are scattered within the clusters to allow air
movement between.

• Main occupation of the people is agriculture and cattle raising.

Culture is the most important determinant in the Bengal Vernacular

architecture.
Traditional Bengal Rural Dwelling:

• A traditional Bengal hut is inspired from

‘bangla’, a thatched pavilion
constructed for some special
occasion.

• A single dwelling consists of

multiple units, forms a cluster.

• Vast open space is present

around the dwelling units.

Climate and culture are the important forces responsible for the
architecture of built forms.
• Generally built on a raised platform with
a distinctively curved roof.

• The space organization of hut is based

on the function it is to perform.

• Two distinct functional domains, inner

house and outer house are found in
Bengali Hut.
- Inner House - performs family functions like sleeping, cooking and
eating
- Outer House – for formal functions such as socializing with the
community.

• Bengali Hut is also culturally defined by social codes, customs and

norms which are often defined as ‘the female domain’ and ‘the male
domain’ which correspond with the ‘inner house’ and the ‘outer
house’ respectively.
• The size and type of hut varies for different caste groups.

Peasant hut Farmer’s House

Climate and culture are

the important forces
responsible for the
architecture of these
typologies.
Wealthy Hindu family house
TYPES OF DWELLING BASED ON ROOF FORM
Dochala :
• Two slopes with a curved edge.
• One of the initial forms.
• Roofs of many famous temples in
Bengal.

Charchala:
• Four sloped roof with curved surfaces.
• Suitable for lower and middle income
groups of rural society.
• In advanced versions, may have
courtyards at the centre.

Athchala:
• Roof with eight slopes.
• Meant for people with better socio -
economic status.
• In advanced versions, may have
courtyards at the centre.
URBAN BUNGALOWS

The villages and some of the rural areas are

developed into urban centres. So, the
residential structures known as bungalows
have the same basic plan with additional
features.

Mostly owned by the

affluent communities and
administrative officers of
the British Government.
• Bungalows are built in a large plot
which is well defined by means of
enclosure wall, leaving enormous
space for outdoor activities.

• They have extroverted planning.

• More permanent materials such

as mud, sun dried bricks, stone,
wood and tiles were used.

• The bungalows were divided into

individual spaces to accommodate various functions.

The major force of influence is culture for the architecture Urban

Bungalows.
INFLUENCING FACORS
CONTEXT

• The Bengali rural hut are always built on an earthen platform made
to 2 to 3 feet high, depending on the surrounding water table to
overcome the frequent floods in the river beds.

• Dense vegetation around the settlement areas due to the fertile

soil condition – contribute to microclimatic condition and excellent
air movement.
CLIMATE RESPONSIVENESS

• The adverse effects of the sun on the huts are reduced due to :
- low height of the house structures,
- projected roof overhangs and the
- availability of abundant vegetation around the dwelling units

• The porousness of the rural house structures, the inherent coolness of

the shaded mud walls and the insulating capacity of the thatch roof
contribute to the excellent thermal character.
CULTURE

• Division of dwelling unit into inner house and outer house.

Inner house – Female zone
Outer house – Male zone

• Front open space is predominantly used for socializing and the

central open space (uthan) is used for activities related to
occupation.

• Strong religious influence seen both in Hindu and Muslim houses.

• Central courtyard in rural and urban dwellings – display Introverted

life style and vast open space around the colonial bungalows –
extroverted life style.
RESOURCES

• Plinth - made of rammed earth on which the superstructure of the

house will stand.

• Walls - made of either mud or bamboo and reed.

- Mud walls are thick and monolithic
- bamboo or reed walls are formed in panels

• Roof - framed in bamboo, covered on the surface with a thick layer

of thatch woven carefully and skillfully.

• Openings - closed either by bamboo jangps (heavy wooden screen)

or bamboo rollers (chicks)
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

Bamboo Elements