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Figure 3.14 - Plan of conventional chettinadu residence
from CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE INTEGRATING CLIMATIC CONSIDERATIONS AS AN PART OF PLANNING AND BUILD
2) Description of common spatial feature of the traditional houses
The arrangement of spaces reflecting the Chettiyar’s heritage, their occupation, the family system and also their knowledge in building their houses with climate responsiveness are reflected in these houses. These houses are essentially built with the understanding of the sun and air movement; and also they have clarity over the materials and the thermal behaviour.
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Figure 3.14 - Plan of conventional chettinadu residence
(Source – Assessment of the climate-responsive architecture of traditional houses by Radhakrishnan S.)
Figure 3.14.1 - Section AA’ of conventional chettinadu residence
Figure 3.14.1 - Section BB’ of conventional chettinadu residence (Source – Assessment of the climate-responsive architecture of traditional houses by Radhakrishnan S.)
1) Chettinadu house planning
The traditional house taken for study is about 200 years old. The houses were built on rectangular plots. The front door opens into one street and the back ends into the next street. A floor plan for a Chettinadu house as shown in Figure 14 illustrates a welcoming space called as Makhappu (the front verandah), it is the front part of the house which constitutes the verandah and the thinnai (3ft high raised platform). This section is totally reserved for men. The houses are linearly designed. The basic idea behind planning such a huge house is that the Chettiyars have-
• Combined living/Joint family • To conduct family rituals in the house
The makhappu hall is adjacent to the makhappu (primary hall after the front verandah) which is shown in Figure 3.14. This is to accommodate the guests and the living activities.
The next is the Valavu vaasal (main courtyard or central courtyard). This is the main courtyard and is generally open to sky.
After this, the space around the courtyard is called as valavu veedu (rooms around main courtyard). These are the rooms around the courtyard (valavu) as indicated in Figures 3.14. One separate room is allotted to the head of each family. Normally this room is used as a store
