Figure 3.15 - Typical view of chettinadu residence

for the individual belongings and valuables like gold or diamond. These rooms are otherwise used as a bedroom only for married couples for family activities.

The Erandam kattu is the next space after valavu (second courtyard). This is the second courtyard as shown in Figures 3.14. This is generally used during the festival time for dining (pandhi) in the absence of separate kalyana kottagai (exclusive dining hall), otherwise on normal days this portion is used by the women of the house for their activities.

2) Characteristic feature of house planning

The most important characteristic feature of this house is that it has such a visual axis which visually connects all the spaces of the house so as to have a control over the activities of the entire house by the elders of these houses, which is purely a social reason of those days traditional living system.

Figure 3.15 - Typical view of chettinadu residence

(Source – Assessment of the climate-responsive architecture of traditional houses by Radhakrishnan S.)