CASE STUDIES

DAKSHINACHITRA

V.SABARI
 DAKSHINACHITRA

INTRODUCTION:
 DakshinaChitra is an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles,
crafts and performing arts of South India.
 It has a collection of 18 authentic historical houses with contextual exhibitions in each house..
 DakshinaChitra literally means –“a picture of south”

SITE DETAILS:
 LOCATION
The Museum is located overlooking the Bay of Bengal, at Muttukadu, twenty five
kilometers south of Central Chennai, on the East Coast Road to Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu,
India.

 NEAREST LANDMARK
-Next to MGM Dizee World.
-Next to Sangeetha Hotel.
 CLIMATE
- Rainfall is moderately low
- The temperature is high
- The relative humidity is Semi-humid

 REASON FOR THE SITE LOCATION

The site is situated on the high peak road and also next to MGM dizee world ,Every day
many people are passing through the ECR road to MGM,Muttukadu boat house,many tourist and
domestic people using this road.

BUILDING LEVEL
 ENTERING DAKSHINACHITRA
 The entry to the dakshinachitra is very cosy and small like entering a south Indian home.
 The various play with brick at the entrance compound wall facade etc.,
 There were a traditional pillar,thatched roof and tiled roof welcoming the visitors and making
them to the traditional feel.
 Once you enter into the space ,the world is entirely different from the urban setting outside.
  PLANNING STUDY
HORIZONTAL ZONING OF SPACES- The 10 acres of dakshinachitra is horizontally
developed.
 AMENITIES
  TYPOLOGY OF SPACES
Dakshinachitra has different kind of space to exhibit the historical monument.It has
Tamilnadu,Karnataka,Kerala and Andhra Pradesh all those spaces are public.

Tamilnadu Karnataka

Kerala Andhra pradesh

 FORM AND FUNCTION

 The form of the building reflects the old traditional styles. Each form defines the inner
spaces.
 The form doesn’t merge with surroundings environment but its suites for the climatic
conditions(stack effect).
 Form of the building is able to the function of the building.
 CIRCULATION ROUTES

 PEDESTRAIN FLOW
- All pedestrian paths were paved by stone with trees on either sides.
- The pedetrain flows clearly demarcated from the paths used for commercial
purposes.
-The pedestrian flows get branched out from the entrance to the various sections.

 PEDESTRAIN FLOW
- The vehicular flow is restricted at entry plaza itself.
- The parking shed also provided in the traditional style.

 SITE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE DETAILING

 USE OF MATERIALS
- Whole structure of the building is constructed
using exposed brick.
-Floor was made with clay tile.
-Building structure is using of wooden beams,
columns and wooden rafters.
-All the exterior facades were with lime and
fews not plastered.
 FLORA
-Banyan tree -Rain tree -Nim tree -Dikamali tree
-Umbar tree -Shirish tree -Mahogany tree -Drumstick tree
-Jackfruit tree -Jungle jalebi -Bhendi tree -Kevad tree
-Indian laburnum tree -Lemon tree -Jamum tree -Coconut tree
-Raktha kanchan -Karanj tree -Chiku tree -Bamboo tree
-Tamarind tree -Mango tree -Teak tree -Jasmine tree
-Gul mohur tree -Cashew tree -Indian cork tree -Peepal tree
 TAMILNADU SECTION
 Mostly tamilnadu houses have an inner courtyard which is used
for drying grains,shelling pods and for functions.
 There will be a raised verandah or small seating area
infront of houses,called a Tinnai.
 The houses from tamilnadu at dakshinachitra were typical
Houses found in several tamil region.

 WEAVERS HOUSE FROM KANCHIPURAM

 The house had one functional pit loom used for weaving kanchipuram saris
along with a kitchen.
 The house has a large space for weavers to work.

 BRAHMIN HOUSE FROM AMBUR

 Brahmin houses were connected by a common wall and narrow
width the ambur house originally had a longer courtyard for the cows.
 The upper floors was used for sleeping,drying and storage
grains.

 POTTERS HOUSE FROM CHENGALPET

 CRAFTSHOP
In the pathway from entrance to
tamilnadu sections,an open craftshop
has been placed so that the visitors are
welcomed by the craftshop.
 CRAFTSHOP