Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CLIMATE
ON VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
Responsiveness of Vernacular
Architecture to the Climate
One of the most significant influences on vernacular architecture is the macro climate of
the area in which the building is constructed. Vernacular architecture is climatically
responsive.
Climate responsive design is based on the way a building form and structure moderates
the climate for human good and well being.
Climate responsive design in buildings takes into account the following climatic parameters
which have direct influence on indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption in
buildings:
The humidity
Long wave radiation between other buildings and the surrounding environment and sky
also plays a major role in building performance.
Himachal Pradesh
Assam
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Kerala
Himachal Pradesh
The Traditional Architecture of Himachal
Pradesh is the outcome of the prevailing
topography, extremes of the climate and
other natural forces.
During hundreds of years man has
developed some constructive techniques to
obtain the internal comfort considering the
local climatic condition.
The character and forms are different from
one climatic and geographic zone to other
which can be identified in three separate
zones, i.e., upto 4000 ft. (1200 m approx.),
upto 9000 ft. (2700 m approx.) and above
9000 ft. (2700 m approx.) So the state of
Himachal can be broadly classified into
three zones depending upon their
elevation.
Kerala
Kerala Architecture is one of the most exciting
examples of preservation of vernacular styles.
The evolution of domestic architecture of
Kerala followed closely the trend of
development in temple architecture.
The primitive models of circular, square or
rectangular plain shapes with a ribbed roof
evolved from functional consideration.
The climate of Kerala greatly influenced the
traditional architecture.
The natural building materials available for
construction in Kerala i.e. stones, timber, clay
and palm leaves have anchored and guided
the acceptance or rejection of outside
influences
Influence of Climate
Kerala has a warm humid climate.
The rainfall is very heavy from south west and north east
monsoons
To keep the rain and sun away from the walls the roofs of
the building come down very low.
They have verandah all round the building protecting the
external walls from sun and rain.
The width of the verandah varies from 2 ft. to 12ft.
In rooms were people spend most of their time during day
the window openings were brought in at ground level
otherwise the windows were small so that there was only
subdued light inside or had timber jalis to give diffused
light without glare.
They also have an internal courtyard for better flow of air.
A lot of timber was used in architecture those days due to
its availability. It was also meant to bring life into the
buildings. The woodwork used for roofs, columns, doors
etc. later on became one of the main characteristics of
Kerala architecture.
Most of the buildings had sloping roofs. It was meant to
withstand the heavy rains. Since water was plentiful, every
house had a well.
Roofing System
The ridged roof pitched at angles between 30degree to
40degree.
The roof with intricately carved gables protruding from the
roof with overhangs supported by wooden brackets.
The roof is prefabricated that is different members are fixed
on the ground and assembled at the top. No nails are used.
The roof is kept in position by interlocking with the hole in
the rafters.
Walls made of timber or earth and roof of coconut leaves or
tiles are common in many parts of Kerala.
Structurally the roof frame is supported on the pillars on
walls erected on a plinth raised from the ground for
protection against dampness and insects in the tropical
climate. The roofs are steep and pointed, and covered with
copper sheets.
The Kerala roof resembles those found in the Himalayan
regions and those in East Asia.
The shape of the roof is in accordance with the plan of the
space below. With a circular plan, one sees a conical roof,
while with a square plan the roof is pyramidal.
Assam
In Assam, British started their kingdom in 1826.
During 120 yrs of their rule in Assam they had
constructed many buildings, bridges, bungalow, school
and colleges etc.
British Colonial Architecture
Before the British the building constructed by kings were
very uneconomical and the construction system were
very difficult.
The house of the common people were of thatch roof
with bamboo walls plastered with a mixture of mud and
cow dung.
The British were studied the local environment and local
building materials and accordingly designed comfortable
and beautiful buildings.
They had started a special type of construction, which
finally become the typical building type and called
assam type house.
Climate of Assam
In Assam, pleasant sub-alpine climate prevails in the
hills.However, the plains experience tropical climate during
the rainy seasons.
Winter starts from around the end of the month of October
and lasts till the mid of march. The temperature drops to a
minimum of 6 to 8 o Celsius, the nights and early mornings
are foggy.
Summer arrives in the middle of May accompanied by high
humidity and rainfall.The temperature reaches a maximum
of 35 to 38 o Celsius.
However The frequent rains push the mercury level
down.The Monsoons blow full blast during the month of April
and is known as Bordoichilla
Building Type
The building is of two storied house.
Building is symetrical on both side.
1st floor is connected with a timber stair case.
Open spaces in front (chotal) and back side (bari) of
the house.
Roof
Roof layout is very critical.
It is in various level and multi-cornered.
But the angle of inclination is same.
Roof is of corrugated iron sheet.
Sheets are fixed in timber purlin by nail.
Rubber washer is used to protect the rain drop
penetration through the side of the nail.
Ceiling
Made of wooden beams.
Wooden members are stick very close to each other.
Supported by vertical wooden /steel column.
A fully wooden structure.
Flooring
Flooring is of cement flooring.
Accommodation of dust coming from the street in all rooms in
the front side
SPECIAL FEATURES
Front facade
As the site is compact with so many houses, so as to provide better
ventilation, front faade is very important.
Contains large no of openings.
Sheds are provided, restrict rain fall.
Arrange in different level.
Better ventilation in front rooms.
Sill level of the window is about 60 cm only
Roof is of sloping from to provide shed durng rain
High plinth level
Two entrances.
Directly open to the street.
Ideally built according to their needs.
10 mts of open space infront of the house.
Gondia, Maharashtra
Gondia district (almost on Maharashtra and
MP border) is located near Nagpur in
Mahrashtra.
The traditional dwellings situated there, are
typical for that region.
The houses varied from small single storied
mud structures to three or even more, in
similar pattern.
This is a study of a three storied haveli
belonging to a zamindar.
Spaces are arranged about a central space
which is the main bedroom.
The plan is a rough 7x7 grid.
The wall thicknesses vary from 1m and
downwards.
Madhya Pradesh
The climate of central India is tropical.
However for thermal comfort, climate
and microclimate plays a significant role.
Typically thermal comfort requires low
solar gain, ventilation and adequate
natural light in day time.
During the night time in winters the heat
gain inside the house needs to be
retained. In monsoon protection for
dwellers as well as the cattle is required.
The habitats on plains have moderate
climate as compared to the hilly regions.
In hilly regions the days are warmer and
the nights are cooler.
Model 1
This is essentially the house of farmer and not the house of tribes, who inhibits
them. It is the richest in terms of size, hierarchy of spaces and use of material.
This house has an enclosure for protection. It has a formal open courtyard used for
social activities, semi enclosed private space which is used for guests, a covered
living space which is sometimes two storied and cooking space with rear
courtyard.
The roof type is lean to for semi open space and double lean to for covered and
private spaces.
The walls are 60 to 90 cm thick mud walls. The roofing is done with earthen tiles
supported by timber framework. For supporting roof of semi open spaces timber
columns are used. The openings have door panels only on the external walls. For
ventilation small vents are provided on the external walls.
Model 2
The second type of house Model-II is found in linear pattern and follows the
hierarchy of semi open, covered and semi open spaces. In this case the house is
elongated along the major axis and there are no openings on side walls. Bamboo
baskets or the grain storage made up of mud are used for creating partitions in
living spaces. The house is of mud walls with pitched roof with earthen tiles, reeds
are used for partitions. For cattle a temporary structure is erected either in front of
the house or along the side walls.
Thank
You!