VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

By-SAYAN MUNSHI

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VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA1

Vernacular Architecture1 is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use

locally available resources and traditions to address local needs. Vernacular architecture

tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in

which it exists. It has often been dismissed as crude and unrefined, but also has proponents

who highlight its importance in current design.

Indian vernacular architecture is the informal, functional architecture of structures, often

in rural areas, of India, built of local materials and designed to meet the needs of the local

people. Their work reflects the rich diversity of India's climate, locally available building

materials, and the intricate variations in local social customs and craftsmanship.

This architecture can be broadly divided into three categories:

1. Kachcha

2. Pucca

3. Semi-Pucca

Figure 1: House Details

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1. KACHCHA HOUSES1:

A kachcha is a building made of natural materials and is therefore a short-lived structure.

Since it is not made for endurance it requires constant maintenance and replacement.

This type of houses exists in many villages around India. These houses were generally

constructed by the House owner himself. The structure of these houses vary from place to

place. According to the climate and locally available material of construction.

MATERIAL USED FOR CONSTURCTION2:

Mud

Grass

Bamboo

Thatch or sticks

Stone

Bamboo

Lime

TECHNIQUE OF CONSTRUCTION:

Construction of these houses were constructed with earth or soil as the primary

construction material. Mud was used for plastering the

walls.

METHOD2:

Cob

Pise or Rammed earth

Adobe

Pressed bricks

Wattle and daub method

Figure 2: Reinforcement used for construction of mud walls

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COB CONSTRUCTION2:

Cob construction is done by making spherical mud balls and then placing them one on

the other vertically and making of walls. A row of these cobs of mud are laid neatly

side-by-side

The usual size is between 12 to 18-inches, (30 to 40-cm) long and about 6-inches (15-cm) in

diameter.

Opening for doors and window were done using temporary vertical planks or shuttering.

ADOBE2 :

Blocks shall be kept covered with air tight polythene sheets for first 48 hrs with relative

humidity up to 100.

Polythene sheets shall be removed

after 48 hrs and the blocks shall be

kept in shaded area like having enough

air circulation.

Sprinkle water over blocks daily, as

many times needed, during 28 days.

Write date of production on block

corner.

Cover stacks top with coconut leaves

or any other cover to avoid direct sunlight.

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2. PUKKA 1

A pukka is a structure made from materials resistant to wear, sometimes using

mortar to bind, that does not need to be constantly maintained or replaced. These

structures are expensive to construct as the materials are costly and more labor is

required. A pukka house may be elaborately decorated in contrast to a kachcha

house.

MATERIAL2:

Stone

Brick

Clay tiles

Metal

TECHNIQUE OF CONSTRUCTION:

Construction of there house are done using masonry structure which may

be brick or stone, depending upon the locally available material in the

region where the structure is constructed, Manual labor is much high in

construction of these structure than the kachcha houses.

METHOD:

Method of construction include placement and alignment of brick.

Dressing of stone. Installation of designed motifs and illustration on the

façade.

Pukka building were

constructed by the wealthy

people of the society as the

construction material costs

more than the material used in

the construction of the

kachcha houses.

Figure 3: Traditional Dwelling in Manipur, India

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3. SEMI- PUKKA

A combination of the kachcha and pukka style together forms the semi- pukka. It has

evolved as villagers have acquired the resources to add elements constructed of the

durable materials characteristic of a pukka house, Its architecture has always evolves

organically as the needs and resources of the local people residing in the specific region.

The characteristic feature of semi pukka houses are that these houses has walls made

from pukka material such as brick in cement/lime mortar, stone, clay tile but the roof

construction is done in the kachcha way using Thach, bamboo etc as the principal

material of construction. Construction of these houses employs less manual labor than

that of the pukka houses.

Thach roofing

Mud Adobe walls with Lime plaster

Figure 4: Semi Pukka House

Figure 5: Laying of Adobe brick wall Figure 6: Thached roof

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COMPARISION

KACHCHA PUKKA SEMI – PUKKA

MATERIAL

Mud

Grass

Bamboo

Thatch or sticks

Stone

Bamboo

Lime

Stone

Brick

Clay tiles

Metal

Mixed construction material of kachcha and pukka house

STRENGTH Weak Strong Strong than Kachcha houses

ROOFING Slopped May be sloped or flat

May be sloped or flat

CLIMATE RESPONSE

More climate responsive

Can be built in any climate

Can be built in any climate

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REFFERENCES:

1. http://www.slideshare.net/sslele456/vernacular-architecture

2. http://www.curatorhall.wordpress.com /2015/05/25/mud

Image sources:

1. www.commonwealthroofing.com

2. www.wisegeek.com

3. propdaily.com

4. radio-weblogs.com

5. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gKqJkKgWXH8/maxresdefault.jpg