THE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL JALI

GUIDED BY
AR. RASHMI THAKRE

ANEESHA DUTTA
X SEM
S.M.MC.A, NAGPUR
2015-2016

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

A successful project can never be prepared by the single effort or the person to whom it is assigned,
but it also demand the help and guardianship of some conversant person who helps in the
undersigned actively or passively in the completion of the project.

I would like to express my gratitude towards my guide Ar. Rashmi Thakre for her continuous
Support and guidance which has been indispensable in the completion of this seminar.

I would also like to thank the institute Smt. Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture,
Nagpur and the faculties of the college for their extreme help and support.

Last but not the least i would like to thank my family and friends and all the responded who directly
or indirectly supported and motivated me, without the help of whom this seminar would not have
been completed.

Aneesha Dutta

ABSTRACT
This seminar multi-functional jali governs the study of role of jali in buildings and how these roles
have changed from past to present. The evolution of jali from ancient India to its use in modern context
has a varied impact in architecture and such a perspective calls for a systematic learning and
understanding of the jali and its different aspects.

The study focuses on the various materials and patterns of jali and also its daylighting performance
within a space and how it is effective on the that particular space in comparison with window.

INDEX

NO.

TITLE

PAGE NO.

05

1.1 AIM

....

05

1.2 OBJECTIVES

05

2. METHODOLOGY

05

2.1 INTRODUCTION TO JALI .

05

2.2 DATA COLLECTION

06-10

1. INTRODUCTION

3. CASE STUDY

4.

11-12

3.1 LEBUA RESORT, JAIPUR ..

11-12

STUDY MODEL AND ITS ANALYSIS

13-15

4.1 WINDOW .

13-14

4.2 JALI

14-15

5. CONCLUSION..

15

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY

16

7. LIST OF VISUALS.

17

INTRODUCTION

AIM: To study the impact of jali in buildings and analyse jali as a great substitute of window in buildings.

OBJECTIVE:
To study and understand the evolution of jali in ancient India.
To study its changing role from past to present.

METHODOLOGY:
Introduction to jali
Data collection
Case study
Study model
Analysis

2.1 INTRODUCTION TO JALI:

Jali is an elegantly chiselled, perforated screen which mediates light and wind in architecture throughout
India. Usually it has an ornamental pattern containing minute carved, delicate geometrical and floral
designs. It is a well-known device for wind and light and is mainly found in Indian architecture, Indo
Islamic architecture And Islamic Architecture.
It was primarily constructed using marble or sandstone and its form includes Windows, railings, and
partitions and outer walls, which provided ventilation and screening from light, imbuing their surroundings
with a calm, cool and airy environment.

2.2 DATA COLLECTION

HISTORY:

The jali has been widely used in both Islamic and Hindu architecture throughout ancient India
prominent in temples, mosques and public structures characterized by simple geometric forms.

The first use of jali is found in 6th century Hindu and Jain temples and subsequently for the first
time in a mosque in 14th century in Jami masjid at Cambay.

By 16th century, it had become an integral component of Mughal architecture.

Red sandstone and white marble has been majorly used:

- On edges of platform
- Causeways and terraces
- Edges of the projecting chajjas, jharokhas and gaukhs (balconies) along with chhatris.

FIG. 1 Jami masjid at Cambay, Gujrat

FIG. 2 Tomb of Akbar, Agra

FIG. 3 Intricate jalis in Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

MATERIAL:
RED SANDSTONE AND MABLE- Red sandstone and white marble jalis have been universally used
in Mughal monuments, on edges of platforms, causeways and terraces (as railings, with balusters).

BRICKS- For common people jali wall method for brick buildings at least is to miss out bricks in
a wall to make an opening which will let in light and air but still preserve privacy unlike the
intricate designs we find in the palaces and tombs of the Mughal Era Brick jail is the most
common type of jail wall which is predominant in India.
Brick walls we can see that it use less number of brick, which indeed saves the cost and also
the amount of mortar used in the construction.
CEMENT- Jali was in modern context is constructed with different materials like concrete, light
weight concrete, bricks, fly ash etc. Cement jalis have occupied an important role in the building
constructions. Cement jalis are pierced panels with a thickness of not less than 2.5 cm used in
construction of houses, building, etc. as partition panels in the walls and ventilators.
PRE- CAST PERFORATED BLOCKS- Pre-cast perforated blocks are mainly used for interior
partitions as well as walls for corridors and verandahs.
GLASS FIBRE- REINFORCED CONCRETE- it is a type of fibre-reinforced concrete mainly
used in exterior building faade panels and as architectural precast concrete.
Its main features are

Non- corroding behaviour

High damping capacity

Less weight than pre-cast concrete panels.

Strong and durable

FIG. 4 AMER FORT, JAIPUR

FIG. 6 72 SCREENS, JAIPUR

FIG. 5 CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL

STUDIES. TRIVANDRUM

FIG. 7 JALI BLOCKS

PATTERN:

GEOMETRIC PATTERNS- The patterns combines polygons with other shapes such as 5- and
8 pointed stars. It emphasizes symmetry and suggested infinity by repetition.

FIG. 8 Jali screen at Amber Palace, Jaipur

ARABESQUE- It is an artistic form of decoration consisting of surface decoration based on

rhythmic linear patterns of foliage, tendrils etc

FIG. 9 Siddi Sayyed Mosque, Ahmedabad

FLORAL- These mainly depict flowers and its abstract forms in intricate design.

FIG. 10 Motif floral jali at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

FUNCTION:
SHADING DEVICE AND DAYLIGHTING

As sunlight streams through the jalis, the patterns form magical shadows and reflections that
grace the adjacent floors and walls, entrancing and mystifying all who see them.

Jalis are also used gorgeously to close window and door openings for purdah (veil) and for
effect. While they admit free air, they temper sunlight and eliminate its glare.

The jali filters the white light of the high sun through a series of small openings, gathered
together to form a screen. The pattern of the screen creates dappled light in the interior and
reflects light off surfaces in relief to reduce the amount of light coming from a particular opening.

Not only it does reduces direct beam radiation in a space, but it also cuts down on illumination
and glare.

Ex- HAWA MAHAL, JAIPUR

The honeycomb web of beehive in the front facade reduces direct beam radiation and glare.
The small perforations in the jharokha provides a sense of privacy.

FIG. 11 HAWA MAHAL, JAIPUR

FIG. 12 JHAROKHA, LATTICED WINDOW

VENTILATION

Jalis are used as excellent ventilators in private inner rooms, toilets and on drains. Essentially a
useful architectural accessory, the Mughals made it a work of art.

It also deals with ventilation but prevents driving rain from entering.

Not only used for mediation of light, the jali is also a critical tool in modifying air currents for the
indoor climate.

The small openings in the jali increases the velocity of the air passing through, so even a mild
breeze outside can be felt in the interior of the space it protects.

Furthermore, because of the small openings, large gusts of wind, which carry dust, are stopped
by the mesh like structure of the opening.

Ex.- CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, TRIVANDRUM

The external jali wall allows diffused natural light inside.

Air is forcefully pushed through the opening in the shaft for proper ventilation.

Small courtyards with pools of water helps in microclimatic control.

False external jali screen acts as skin which keeps the interiors cool

FIG. 13 MAIN BUIDING

FIG. 14 CORRIDOR

FIG. 15 FALSE EXTERNAL JALI

10

3.CASE STUDY:

LEBUA RESORT, JAIPUR

Lebua Resort, Jaipur is a modern boutique hotel, spa destination, and event facility inspired by
the area's color, vibrance and cultural splendor.

Jantar Mantar, the Royal Observatory of Jaipur built in 1728, influenced the luxury resorts
geometric shapes and structures, while the regions famous gem craft is reflected in its
materials and intricate details.

Each suite is styled in one of Jaipurs famous jewel colors of fuchsia, emerald green or blue
sapphire. Each villa is surrounded by latticework that forms a jewel box-like courtyard.

FIG 16. RESTRAUNT, LEBUA RESORT, JAIPUR

11

Jali has been majorly used all around the suite in the form of windows, partition.

FIG 18. VIEW OF A SUITE

FIG 17. JALI IN FORM OF SCREENS NEAR POOL

Max. Daylighting is achieved through the jali and also it helps in cutting down the direct heat
gain.

FIG. 19 VIEW OF A SUITE

12

4.STUDY MODEL:

For assessing the daylighting performance of jali, a computer analysis is done of a room to
understand the effect of window and jali within a space.

DETAILS-

Room size- 4.5x7 m

Window to wall ratio- 10%
Panel size- 1.35x2 m
Time- 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm

WINDOW-

MONTH- JUNE

12:00AM

9:00AM

15:00AM

IMAGE SOURCE- ECOTECT

13

MONTH- DECEMBER

12:00AM

9:00AM

15:00AM

JALIMONTH- JUNE

12:00AM

9:00AM

15:00AM
IMAGE SOURCE- ECOTECT

14

MONTH- DECEMBER

12:00AM

9:00AM

15:00AM
IMAGE SOURCE- ECOTECT

ANALYSIS

On comparing the daylighting performance of window and jali, it is observed that through
window a lot of glare is in the room along with max. Illumination

In case of jali, there is cut down in glare because of the perforation in the screen and gives
uniform daylight.

5. CONCLUSION

Looking through th analysis, it can be said that jali is a better alternative than window for better
daylighting.

Also the jali gives a great amount of light theres also a cut down in energy used otherwise.

As jali has been in use since ancient times and is still being used in contemporary buildings, its
aspects will always enhance the performance of the building in future also.

15

6. BIBLIOGRAPHYBOOKS

Baker Laurie- houses how to reduce building cost ( eBook) Costford 2014

Krishnan Arvind, Climate responsive architecture

WEBSITE-

Dna India. Ar. Yatin Pandya-

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-yatin-

pandya-on-jaali-as-a-traditional-element-1599623
http://www.ruralhousingnetwork.in/static/img/2015-012100:49:43.958182Jali_Walls.pdf

The Hindu. Satyaprakash Varanashi-

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-

features/tp-propertyplus/the-multifunctional-jaali/article1138372.ece
Google

16

LIST OF VISUALS
FIG. NO.

TITLE

Jama masjid at Cambay, Gujrat

Tomb of Akbar, Agra

Intricate jalis at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum

72 Screens, Jaipur

Jali Blocks

Jali screen at Amber Fort, Jaipur

Siddi Sayed Mosque, Ahmedabad

10

Motif floral jali at Mehrangarh Fort

11

Hawa mahal, Jaipur

12

Jharokha, latticed window

13

Main building, CDS, Trivandrum

14

Corridor, CDS, Trivandrum

15

External false jali, CDS, Trivandrum

16

Restaurant having jali panel on both sides as walls, Lebua resort.

17

Jali screen near pool, Lebua Resort

18

View of a suite, Lebua Resort

19

View of a suite, Lebua Resort

17