Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

UNIT 5 – WESTERN INFLUENCES ON VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA

 Influence on Goan house
 Evolution of bungalow from bangla; victoria villas
 Settlement pattern in Pondicherry
 Settlement pattern in Cochin

ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACH
Example: Goa
− Each part of Goa has something different architecture to offer, for example the traditional Goa Churches are
eminent for their Barooque and Manueline architectural approach of styling.
 Manueline style
− A style in Portuguese architecture associated with the reign of King Manuel I
(1495–1521), under whom numerous monasteries and churches were built.
− A richly ornate style, it is characterized by a profusion of organic forms – such
as coral, tree branches, artichokes – and carved stone rope, thickly knotted and
twisted round windows, doorways and pinnacles.
− The monasteries at Tomar, Batalha, Belém, and Alcobaça are examples of
Manueline style, which was also exported to Portuguese possessions overseas.
− It was contemporaneous with and partly influenced by the
early plateresque style in Spain and, like plateresque, incorporates mudéjar
elements as well as echoes of contemporary Italian architectural fashion.
Sao_Joao_Baptista_Tomar
 Western influence
− With the emergence of rich landlords and businessmen in the 18 th century, Goa witnessed a wave of
building activities for domestic purposes reflecting wealth.
− Goa's main section of structural design is a basic blend of Portuguese, Indian and Mughal styles.
− Most of Goa’s historical sites, reminders of colonial efforts to ensure its safety from invasion.
− The Goan weather is prone to heavy monsoons.
− Hence the churches situated in Goa are done up with decked timber pieces of wood at the entrance hall.

Goan Church Goan House Use of Colours in a Goan House

 Goan Houses
− Portuguese features mingled with local domestic architecture to produce a distinctive Goan style of houses.
− Houses adapted to local climate, with stark red-tiled roofs to ward off heavy rain during the monsoon.
− Christian houses generally build a cross and/or a bust of Jesus at the Entrance.
 Design influences
− The following factors affected house design in Goa:
o Protecting oneself from the fierce monsoons was the basis of architectural form.

o Portuguese rule allowed Goans to travel abroad; when they returned they brought with them ideas and

influences from other countries.

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Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

− The Goan master builders executed these ideas using local building materials, making the Goan house a
mixture and adaptation of design elements and influences from all over the world.
− The European lifestyle was encouraged in an attempt to separate newly converted Goan Christians from
their cultural roots
− They adopted a European outlook but did not cut themselves off from their Indian roots completely. The
resulting cultural fusion affected house design.

 Aesthetics:
 Cornices:
− Country tiles used as a corbel are a feature peculiar to Goa.
− The effect achieved is aesthetically pleasing, giving the roof projection a solid, moulded appearance.
 Use of colour:
− Initially achieved with vegetable and natural dyes—plays an important role in Goan architecture.
− Colour was decorative and used purely to create a sensation.
− With a colour wash, the house looked "dressed" and therefore displayed the economic well-being of the
family that lived in it.

Angan Cornices Use of colour

 Style:
− The Goan Hindu Architectural style is different from the Portuguese-influenced style.
− Hindu houses have little colonial influence.
 Space Planning:
− Most of the big houses have a courtyard called as Rajangan in Konkani where a Tulasi Vrindavan is seen.
− A special place called as Soppo is often used for relaxing.
− Goan traditional Hindu houses have the following features:
o Angan (courtyard with a Tulasi Vrundavan)

o Rajangan (a courtyard inside the house)

o Deva kood (a place for daily prayer and other rituals)

o Saal (a hall)

o Raanchi kood (a kitchen with a door which is called Magil daar)

o A room special meant for pregnant and nursing mothers.

o Kothar (store room)

o A hall specially meant for celebrating Ganeshotsav

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Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH

− Architects in the 20th century developed a functionalist

aesthetic which esteemed forms that expressed fitness
for purposes.
− In vernacular buildings they have been constructed to
meet a specific need has been seen to be evolved over
decades or even centuries.
− Structure that have been modified and adjusted in forms
and detail until they satisfied the demands placed upon
them.
Example: Gujarat
 Bohra Houses:
− The traditional habitats of the Islamic community of the Bohras in Gujarat are excellent examples of
traditional architecture rooted in the regional landscape.
− Bohras have certain significant aspects such as space usage, response to climate, building materials and
construction, illustrating special architectural elements which have evolved from social attitudes and
climatic forces.
− Most bohras are inwardly oriented, where the houses are arranged in an introverted neighbourhood form.
− They have a formal entrance where gates used to be closed at night in the past.
− The neighborhood has a structural unity and gives a general impression of order and homogeneity.
− Besides the housing a bohrwad generally consist of mosque, madras's and other buildings for
collective functioning.

− A traditional bohra house in cultural and

spatial context creates a sense of place in a distinct
domestic setting.
− Certain concepts like clear separation between the
public and private, necessity for an in-between
zone at the entrance level, male female divide,
seclusion of women, intense need of privacy etc
have brought about specific devices and spatial
configuration.
− The kitchen is common to all, the individual
courtyard becomes an air and light shaft where the
cooler air sinks below and the hotter air escapes out
of the room.

− The Bohras have adopted the regional tradition of Gujarat of making facades
with intricate details in wood.
− They accommodated a whole range of styles, building materials and
decorative treatments resulting in attractive facades (and streets) that have
become the hallmark of their vernacular architecture.
− Through the display of several textures and patterns, they express balance and
harmony within a predominantly symmetrical composition.
− The surface of the facade is visually broken by ornamented columns, brackets
and mouldings, at times bringing multicoloured cohesion to the streets.
− The facades enhance the totality of the physical ambience of the built
environment.

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Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

− Built by craftsmen, they reveal their comprehensive understanding of the elements of design, the nature of
the building materials and versatility of craftsmanship.

− The unity of facades has been achieved by similarity of building types, materials of construction and
commonality of a design vocabulary.
− There is a lot of aesthetic
attention paid to the making
of the windows, entrance
doors, columns, brackets,
grills and other elements
− A lot of variation was
perceived in the types of
jharokhas (floor projection)
that were incorporated as a
part of the façade in various
bohra houses.
− The impact of cultural attitude is seen in the full enclosure of the balcony. In many of the bohra houses
because the bohra life style emphasis privacy, formality and internalization.
− The enclosure balcony takes the form of a luxurious window –seat.
− A space is created next to the entrance for the seat which is used for a group of women to relax and
converse.

Jharokhas Staircase Detail Facade treatment of a typical Bohra house

− Since both Hindu and bohra house types are based on common regional house forms, there are more
similarities than differences.
 Mud Houses
− Huts of the poor people and farmers living in the countryside were usually made with mud and plastered
with dung.
− They had thatched roof made from local material, such as palm fronds, coconut leaves or dry straw.
− Veranda would have extended the covered area at the front and back.
− People used the “room” to store things and during the rainy or cold season.
− Most of the time they lived on the veranda or the outer courtyard.
− This allowed people to socialise and catch the breeze during the hottest part of the day.
− Even at night, they would have slept outside to keep cool.
− There were no indoor toilets in huts – people went out in the fields to relieve themselves.
− Cooking would have happened in the open courtyard or at one end of the veranda.

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Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

− This way the smoke and smell would have been immediately expelled.

Mud Houses of Gujarat Window & Wall Detail

− The plastered mud walls where painted with bright bold colors representing the charm of Gujarat's cultural
heritage.

Mud mirror inbuilt shelving Circular mud huts or Bhunga Interior wall decoration
− Shining, reflecting mirrors were inserted throughout the house at various parts for decorative purpose.
− Small handmade paintings of idols, animals and folklore activities where painted on the walls by the
habitants.

DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH

− Economy and life support systems clearly play an important part in determining these tents for they must be
light, portable, easily dismantled and assembled.
Example: Cochin
− Cochin was originally known as Perumpadappu Nad after a village in the Ponnani Taluk of Malabar.
− The name Cochin was given to the town that came into existence after the formation of the harbour in 1341.
− Later, the country in the immediate vicinity of the town and finally, the whole territory under the ruling
family, Perumpadappu Swaroopam, came to be known as Cochin.
− The first mention of Cochin is made sixty years after the formation of the harbour by Ma Huan, a Chinese
Mohammedan, and later by the Italian traveller Nicolo Conti (AD1440).

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Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

 History:
− The pre-history of Cochin has always remained a mystery.
− There has been no clear evidence of Stone Age man inhabiting these regions.
− Though it is generally believed that Cochin port was formed only as late as 1341 there is also the possibility
of its existence as a small harbour even earlier.
 Development:
− The Greco-Romans and all other eastbound Western trade interests had their strong presence here.
− The Arabs and Chinese followed them.
− It was the scene of the first European settlement in India early.
− In 1500 the Portuguese, Dutch and English, came here.
− Ruled by many Maharajas and Divans, this city evolved through the centuries, assimilating the cultures of
the many communities.
 Architecture of Cochin:
− The architecture of Cochin ranges from temples,
mosques, churches to theatres, houses, palaces and
public buildings.
− Like elsewhere, climatic considerations have
played an important role in the architecture of this
region.
 Traditional Domestic Architecture:
− The traditional domestic architecture follows the
style of detached buildings and the typical upper
caste Malayalee house is a courtyard type
nalukettu, a quadrangular building consisting of
four blocks with a square or oblong courtyard in
the centre, known as nadumittam.
Courtyard type Nalukettu

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Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

− The whole or the middle portions of the eastern and southern blocks kizhakkini and thekkini are open halls,
where visitors and guests are received and entertained.
− With verandas all round the building and also round the inner courtyard we also find an open portico or
poomukham attached to it often leading to the kizhakkini.
− Male visitors are received here. By the side of the kitchen is the well, water drawn to it through a window.
− An entrance structure or a gate-house (padippura), often constructed like the gopuram of a temple, may
contain one or more rooms for guests or occasional visitors who are not entertained in the main house.

− The local artisans use elaborate systems to ensure absolute accuracy in woodwork without which framing
the roof structure would be impossible.
− A mixed mode of construction was evolved in Cochin.

 Houseboat:
− Houseboat is made from local and eco-friendly; bamboo poles,
coconut fibre, ropes, bamboo and the usual wood anjili.
− Basically they were designed for transportation of materials.

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Vernacular Architecture UNIT – 5 Western influences on Vernacular Architecture of India

GEOGRAPHICAL APPROACH

Example: West Bengal

− The state is long and narrow, running from the delta of the Ganges
river system at the Bay of Bengal in the south to the heights of the
Himalayas at Darjeeling in the north.
− Placed with three international frontiers - Bangladesh, Nepal and
Bhutan.
− Zonal classification of Bengal according to the climatic conditions:
o Northern Bengal (the hills)

o Central Bengal (the plains)

o Southern Bengal(the coast)

 NORTHERN BENGAL:
− It is a rugged strip of vertical mountain country .
− The climate varies between the tropical heat of the valleys and the alpine cold of the snowy regions.
− Materials available are tin, slate, wood, tiles, lime and stone.
− Technologies adapted are: sloped roof/curved roof south facing windows.
 CENTRAL BENGAL:
− Climatic & Geological Central Bengal has a tropical
climate.
− The north is cooler, but the humidity is high.
 Materials & Construction:
− Mud/clay, bamboo, thatch, grass.
− The traditional Bengali dwelling provided a model for
the British bungalow (BANGLA).
− The BANGLA is a hut, generally built with a
distinctively curved roof in West Bengal with twelve
sloping sides in the roof in three tiers.
− The walls were generally made of mud.
− Door is the only opening in many banglas.
− Floors were made of mud and were generally raised a foot or two above the ground to provide some
protection from flooding.
− The size of the huts varied little. Most were between 4x3m and 4x5m.
− Mud plastered, wattle walls, two slope paddy thatch roof.
− Banglas are always thatched with straw on the roof.
− Walls are sometimes of bricks and often of mats.
− There are curtains over the doorway to keep out the wind.
− Simple or elongated pyramidal roof, sometimes with clerestory.
− The British settlers expanded the traditional veranda to encircle the house
− The corners of the veranda were often partitioned off as separate rooms for bathing or sleeping.
 SOUTHERN BENGAL:
 Climatic & Geological:
− The area has subtropical monsoon climate dominated by
heavy summer monsoon rains.
 Materials available:
− Thatch/ khad
− Rammed earth
− Bamboo framework

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 Technology adapted:
− The general building tradition in the area uses clay walls plastered on a bamboo framework or rammed
earth core walls up to two stories.
− The walls support a roof construction made of bamboo and covered with paddy-straw with a thatching of a
more durable grass.
 Conclusion:
− Climatic design responses reflecting the local micro-climate with special focus on cooling and shading,
improved natural ventilation, cross ventilation, roof top ventilation, window openings, open bamboo
shutters, protection against monsoon rains: eaves, galleries, drainage, elevated ground floors.

Example: Kashmir
− The availability of building materials, the capacity of the land to support a population, the kind of economy
that evolves and the trading relationships with other communities that can be identified – all these have
direct bearing on the kind, form, location and density of the building.
− Other factors also have bearing on vernacular form, especially the effects of climate which have to be
controlled, modified or utilized.
− Kashmir is situated at the crown of India.
− Kashmir is famous for its beauty and natural scenery throughout the world.
− Its high snow-clad mountains, scenic spots, beautiful valleys, rivers with ice-cold water, attractive lakes and
springs and ever-green fields, dense forests and beautiful health resorts, enhance its grandeur and are a
source of great attraction for tourists.
− It is also widely known for its different kinds of agricultural products, fruit, vegetables, saffron, herbs,
minerals, precious stones handicrafts like woolen carpets, shawls and finest kind of embroidery on clothes.
− During summer, one can enjoy the beauty of nature, trout fishing, big and small game hunting etc.; during
winter climbing mountain peaks and sports like skating and skiing on snow slopes are commonly enjoyed.
− In addition to the above, Pilgrimage to famous religious shrines of the Hindus and the Muslims make
Kashmir a great tourist attraction.
− "If there is any heaven on earth, it is here in Kashmir."
− The Kashmir valley: once a part of a thriving cashmere wool
industry now dominated by china, lies in Indian-administrated
territory.
− Pakistan disputes the claim because 95% of the people there are
Muslims and says they would choose to be a part of Pakistan if it
were subject to a referendum.
− Winter cold is the most common natural factor governing most
of Kashmir.
− Thick walls of brick and stone with mud plaster provide
excellent protection against this, as does a thick mud-timber roof.
− The lighter, pitched roof made of timber and CGI sheets in combination with the attic floor also ensures
liveable conditions inside the house in winter and summer.
− The steep pitch of the light roof permits little accumulation of snow and prevents any water leakages.

HISTORICAL APPROACH

Example: Jaipur
− Among non-literate societies, history often takes the form of myth, having a symbolic truth which is
important to the people concerned, rather than being verifiable factual evidence.
− Jaipur also popularly known as the 'Pink City’ is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan.
− Jaipur is one of the finest planned cities of India, located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan.

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− The city which once had been the capital of the royalty now is the capital city of Rajasthan.
− The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families.
− It is said that in 1876, Jaipur was colored in terracotta pink to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Victoria,
and thus the name “Pink City” was attached with the city.
− The site lies in the city of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.
− It was the first planned colony that came up outside the main walled city, around early 20th century.
− It acts as a link between the traditional Rajput architectural setup and that of planning of modern Jaipur.
− The roads run parallel and perpendicular to each other with service lanes.
− It is in form of bungalow system surrounded by houses of same status and period.

− Since defence was no longer a primary concern, larger, more ornamental windows were built to over look
the streets or courtyards outside these wings.
− Gardens were no longer planned within the internal courtyards only, but were added to the external vistas,
and water, a basic feature of Mughal palaces and gardens, was utilized in a similar fashion, in canals and
fountains.

SPATIAL APPROACH

Example: Kerala
− People who built their own dwellings invest them with their
own personalities, societies that have developed traditional
forms of vernacular architecture.
− In order to ensure and support humane and valued housing in
the immediate, and in the more distant future, we need to
know much more about the meanings and symbolic roles of
shelter in society.
− KERALA architecture is based on vasthusasthra.
− The spatial organization is socially governed and is rather
formal.
− The courtyard is a substantial central space that acts as a symbolic centre and an organizing element rather
than a utilitarian space.
− The matrilineal family system followed among some Hindus such as the Nairs and the Kshatriyas, as well
as some Muslim sections of the society adds richness to the exercise of understanding of the house form.
− Though the principles were rooted in the regional Hindu scriptures, the architectural symbiosis manifest in
the edifices of different communities endowed continuity to the physical environment of Kerala.
 Nalukettu

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− Naālukettu is the traditional homestead of old Tharavadu where many generations of a matrilineal family
lived.
− These types of buildings are typically found In the
Indian state of Kerala.
− The traditional architecture is typically a rectangular
structure where four halls are joined together with a
central court yard open to the sky.
− The four halls on the sides are named Vadakkini
(northern block), Padinjattini (western block),
Kizhakkini (eastern block) and Thekkini (southern
block).
− The architecture was especially catered to large
families of the traditional tharavadu, to live under
one roof and enjoy the commonly owned facilities
of the marumakkathayam homestead.

 Ettukettu
− The layouts of these homes were simple, and catered to the dwelling of the large
number of people usually part of a tharavaadu.
− Ettukettu (eight halled with two central courtyards) or Pathinarukettu (sixteen
halled with four central courtyards) are the more elaborate forms of the same
architecture.
− Every structure faces the sunlight, and in some well designed naalukettu, there is
excellent ventilation.
− Temperatures, even in the heat of summer, are markedly lower within the naalukettu.
 Spatial planning:
− Climate of kerala is very humid; hence nalukettus have windows that are arranged in such a way that wind
passes through most of the rooms continuously.
− Nalukettu are built of stone blocks instead of brickwork, using lime mortar and stairs, ceiling, pillars,
mantel pieces and beams are made out of wood.
− Some nalukettus have underground cellars and attics which
are once again, wooden and earthen tiling with a Chinese
flavour.
− Heavy maintenance cost, huge size and scarcity of wood has
made Nalukettus a rare scene even in Kerala these days.
− For the majority of those days, houses were just few rooms
constructed of sandstones and clary, roofed with weaved palm
leaves and flooring was done by cow dung paste. (Basically
huts made with whatever available).

FOLKLORISTIC APPROACH

− Folkloristic approaches focus on:

o housing used by folk

o groups tend to interpret the expressions of individuals & groups

maintaining traditions within a larger society

− Comparatively treat architectural components such as:
o form o construction

o use o decoration

 Settlement pattern:
− The landscape of Rajasthan is scattered with villages and hamlets.

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− Villages here are very colourful. Eg: Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.

− Camels are integral part of the many households in Rajasthan, and are used for transportation, travel and
amusement.
− Therefore, each house has a huge gate for camel and only a very small door for people.
− The hamlets, the most basic form of civilization consist of a collection of huts that are circular and have
thatched roofs.
− The walls are covered with a plaster of clay, cow dung, and hay, making a termite free (antiseptic) facade
that blends with the sand of the countryside around it.
− The boundaries for houses also known as Baraas are made of the dry branches of a nettle-like shrub to
protect the house from the stray cattle and enemies
− A village is even a little larger than a hamlet.
− Villages are often located near village ponds or talabs that provide the source of water for cattle, people and
irrigation.
− The houses consist of the courtyard and a large cattle enclosure, attached to one side or at the entrance.

− The wells are often elaborately decorated, and have tall pillars that would indicate their presence for
travellers on long journeys through the desert.
− The villages have pucca houses, with painted walls and decorated with wall paintings.
− At home, the women would confine themselves to the kitchen where rows of shining brass and copper
vessels and platters are lined up on shelves against the wall.
− The cow-dung and wood are used as the fuel in the cooking stove, set on the floor. Over this stove, the
earthen pots are placed for cooking. *~*~*~*~*~*

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