Figure 3.18 - All Chettinadu residences have a rainwater collection system

3) Machu - (Attic Space or Loft)

In addition to these roofs which is mentioned above, there is a loft of height about 3’ to 4’ called as ‘machu’ (a structurally stable false ceiling). The machu is shown in Figure 3.17. This was usually adopted in the traditional houses, especially in the Chettinadu region. The majority of dwellings have false ceiling designs to reduce heat intake throughout the day. These are normally constructed below the sloped roofing or below the lean to roofs or in the areas of passages and rooms. These are supported by the wooden beams that run through horizontally which connect the rafters as a tie member. This reduces the heat transfer significantly and acts as an air trap, and this construction technique can very well be considered as a good passive cooling construction technique. The dimension of the machu is 7’ at its ridge and 0’ at its eves, the machu is normally used as a store for the old or used and unwanted household items. It has a door way of about 5’x3’ size.

4) Rain water collection techniques

Every house collects water from the courtyard and it is properly channelized in the streets so as to lead all the storm water into the public pond. This is an amazing town planning system which is 200 years old and in addition the stone posts have been extensively used in both interior as well as exterior. Stone is a thermally resistive material and also sustainable material.

Figure 3.18 - All Chettinadu residences have a rainwater collection system.

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