Vernacular as a Model for Contemporary Design
Pol Houses [ Siting] Climate : Hot and Dry Location : Ahmadabad , Gujarat. Material : Brick, Mortar and Timber.
• One of the most visually appealing spaces is the walled city of Ahmedabad, known for its neighbourhood settlements of pols. • Pols were originally made as a protection measure when communal riots necessitated greater security. • Pols are enclosed residential clusters entered by gates, which are known as Khadki.
Source: THEORY AND CITY FORM: The Case of Ahmedabad
Pol Houses [ Siting]
Open Open Vs Built Built
Built- 80.91% Open- 19.08%
Built Vs Open
Open Built
Pol Houses [ Siting]
Entrance Gateway provides setting for social interaction
Quadrangle in the pol with a birdhouse: a multipurpose space.
Pol Houses [Shape and Form] Sloping Roof Agashi [ Flat roof]
BUILT FORM
ROOF FORM
• The roof of these kind of house are Pol houses are rectangular blocks with minimal frontage on the neighborhood street, and shows introverted organization. sloping covered • Some areas are also left flat (agasi) The ratio between the depth of house[x] and frontage[y] sleeping on summer nights and also for varies most X:Y = 1: 1.5 - 3.6 several domestic activities.
Pol Houses [Form , Shape] Narrow edges of the pols faces the street which means more number of people are offsetted to the streets which in turn promotes interaction
• The essence of a pol is a network of small streets. The streets used to be formerly owned jointly by the residents of the pol. • Most of the houses extending their activities onto the streets: the washing place of each house is located on the street, where the residents wash their clothes and utensils. • Children play on the street adjoining the houses, so that the parents can watch them. The street also serves for parking of bicycles and scooters. Source:http://portfolio.cept.ac.in/lost-heritage-of-jethabhai-ni-pol/
Pol Houses [Spatial Planning] SPATIAL ORGANISATION
SECOND FLOOR
OATLA – Entrance platform KHADKEE -The otla leads to a buffer space mainly used as reception room. CHOWK Khadkee is directly associated to the open-to-sky interior courtyard RASODUN (kitchen), PANIYARO (place for storing drinking water), PUJA (prayer room) – all three being considered as sacred spaces. Parsal -is a semi-open space connecting chowk and the living areas. Ordo -which was the last room, furthermost from the street and thus the most private room. These rooms are used for both storage and sleeping.
FIRST FLOOR Hierarchical order in type of spaces is in a sequential manner from public to semipublic to private space
SECTION GROUND FLOOR
Pol Houses [Elements] THE OTLA The essence of the social nature of Pols lies in the Otlas.
Functional purposeFrom the otla that the shopping of fruits-vegetables and other wares from vendors is done. The wash place is located on the street, outside the the otla in most houses.
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elishams/
Pol Houses [Elements] Social purpose•The elders and women exchange notes with their neighbors. •Parents can keep an eye on the children playing in the streets . •During festivals and weddings, neighbourhood otlas are richly decorated with rangoli (sandpainting) and symbolic decorations, many of which are considered to be auspicious
Different uses of otla in an Ahmedabad pol (photo: Vineeta Nair*).
Bhunga houses Climate : Hot and Dry Location : Kutch, Gujarat Material : Mud (walls) and Thatch (Roof) A circular space enclosed by mud walls is the most typical dwelling construction in the Kutch district of the Gujarat state & Rajasthan in India, which has a very high earthquake risk, is called a Bungha.
Circular design and the mesh of mud plaster Do not share common walls with adjacent bhungas. and twigs make them resist any wind pressure and quake. (the typical distance is 3m)
Bhunga houses [Siting] • The community lives in small settlements called vandh. • Several small clusters, usually separated by vegetal fences. • The group of cluster structure-segregation of different castes, communities or families. • Each cluster is a joint family. • A cluster consists of six to ten families. • Settlement units consist of two, three or more individual bhungas, built on a common raised platform • Each family’s dominiondefined by raised platforms. • Community comes together during festivals.
Bhunga houses [Siting]
Open Built
Open Vs Built
Built- 10% Open- 90%
Built Vs Open
Open Built
Bhunga houses [Shape & Form]
Conical roof
Cylindrical form
Raised platform
The bhunga houses are detached monlithic units having cylindrical form which helps in various reasons for the survival of bhunga especially in desert area. • It has a conical overhanging thatch roof, where • D= 3 M • H= 2-2.5 M
Bhunga houses [Shape & Form] Open space made for local gatherings
6m
8m The bhungas are built close to each other on a raised platform which promotes interaction.
Semi public space Public space
Bhunga houses [Spatial Planning] Circular spaces- main living zones Rectangular spaces secondary functions, like cooking cleaning and storing. A typical bhunga has•A door and •3-4 small and low windows symmetrically arranged around the door. In front of the door, lies a low platform, called pedlo, on which traditional furniture are placed.
Pedlo with traditional furniture
Bhunga houses [Spatial Planning]
Bhunga houses [Element] The platform becomes the most important element in the village. Free spaces between bhungas belonging to the same family are used as meeting spaces, as well as for the family’s outdoor activities.
Family in the traditional village Dhumado
Malay House Climate : Warm and Humid Location : Malaysia Material : Timber and Thatch
• The traditional Malay house is a timber house raised on stilts. • It is basically a post-andlintel structure with wooden or bamboo walls and a thatched roof. • Windows are plentiful, lining the walls and providing good ventilation and views for the house. • This quality of openness is also reflected by the large open interior spaces with minimal partitions. Typical Malay traditional houses in Kampung Tanjung Bunut. Source: Author (2012)
Malay House [Siting] Kampong layout The kampong or village is a rural settlement of Traditional malay houses. It is difficult to differentiate and demarcate the territories of public and private spaces in the village. There is preference for community intimacy over personal privacy, house compounds are often open and unfenced, making private spaces ill-defined and merging with public spaces.
Source:http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM7LtaXypt0/Ums-dwPg7YI/AAAAAAAAA0c/F7Uy8zMs12Q/s1600/bbb.jpg
Malay House [Siting]
Houses focusing on a certain facilities like a mosque or sometime just open spaces. Houses are build in cluster form and focusing on a certain spot or an important area. Normally mosque functions as a community centre in the kampongs. Community centre also functions as communal space. Indirectly this space encourages interaction amongst residents.
Malay House [Siting] Houses are built scattered from each other without any special order. They are more spacious than other patterns. The kampongs which located towards the inland area are more likely to adopt this pattern.
Scattered Pattern
This settlement can be found along the river bank, stream and the main road. Houses in this area build parallel to this component. This form exists in agricultural area in the hinterland Irrigation system (also known as parit)
Malay House [Siting]
The children spend their time chatting under banana trees and Part of small paved road in the kampong parallel to river bank through this settlement. Source: Author (2012)
Malay House [Siting] There is no clear geometric order in the layout of the kampong. Instead, the layout is determined by the social relationships and the culture and lifestyle of the villagers. The concentrated form or cluster of the traditional Malay kampongs enhances social relations within the neighbors. Houses facing each other encourage public surveillance indirectly creating a safe living environment and a sense of belonging. The well-shaded compounds are favorite places for play and social interaction, but are also used as working areas. The overlapping between private and public space in kampong environment enhances close community ties (M.M. Tahir and et. al., 2010).
The random layout, the natural setting, and the lack of physical barriers give the kampong an informal and open atmosphere which is conducive to intimate social relations. Source:http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM7LtaXypt0/Ums-dwPg7YI/AAAAAAAAA0c/F7Uy8zMs12Q/s1600/bbb.jpg
Malay House [Siting] Community Centre-Mosque and Surau A kampongs mosque very synonym, common and prominent structures in kampongs area where majority of the population practices Islamic religious. Mosque function as a community centre within the neighborhood. The mosque is a central point for a Muslim who gets the guidance from the mosque time to time in his life. Mosquein kampongs area not only serve as place for Muslim perform their obligation five times prayers daily but also as the centre point for the community.
Malay House [Built Form]
Open Floor Plan Raised on stilts
Pitched Roof
Malay Houses have open floor plan with minimum partition walls
Malay House [Spatial organisation ] Basically, the traditional Malay house can be divided into two portions which are centred around the Rumah ibu (the core house) and the Dapur (kitchen) respectively.
Serambi Gantung • Covered porch • Transition space between the public and the private domains. • Focal point for the entrance. • Unfamiliar visitors and guests are entertained here. • It is also place to rest, chat and watch the goings-on and passers-by in the village.
Anjung • Hanging verandah. • Most guests are entertained here.
Malay House [Spatial organisation ] RUMAH IBU • The core area[largest area] in the house where most activities are conducted. • Sleeping, sewing, praying, ironing, studying and even feasting (kenduri) which is held during marriages and other festivals, all occur here. • The importance of the rumuh ibu is expressed by its floor level being the highest in the house. THE SELANG • Closed walkway which links the kitchen and the rumuh ibu. • The side entrance to the kitchen. • Often used by the womenfolk as a space to chat and socialise. THE DUPUR • Back of the house, and is on the lowest floor level • Preparation of food, cooking, eating and washing are all done here. • The womenfolk also often group here to chat.
Malay House [Elements]
The full-length windows in a traditional Malay house are divided into three components, which are top, middle and bottom. The top component is carved open at all times for ventilation. The middle and bottom components are operable and can be shut separately, while This system can allow air in according to residents’ needs.
Malay House [Elements]
Top and Middle Component of full length window
Section of Full length Malay Window Malay Full length Source:Windowshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumah_Melayu#/media/File:Rumah_kedah.gif
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat Climate : Hot and Dry Location : Sidhpur, Gujarat. Material : Brick, Mortar and Timber. The Bohras are a community with a complex cultural identity. These neighborhoods have a structural unity and give a general impression of relative orderliness and homogeneity. It has a well-knit and dense urban character. As a community the Bohras are close knit and highly organised. If prayers bring them together it is also the concept of eating together, seated around the thaal or a platter, that’s unique to them.
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Siting] BOHRAWADS The bohra community tended to stay together, entire neighbourhoods came to be called Vohrawads. DARAS This is a traditional gate to Bohrawads. It is a part of 3 storeyed residence of the religious head of the community. The structure of a typical organic Bohrwad is inwardly oriented, where the houses are arranged in an introverted neighborhood form.
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Siting]
Open Built
Open Vs Built
Religious spaces have more open spaces than residential spaces to perform better congregation Major buildings are double storied. In bohras community context it shows equality. Built- 64% Open- 36%
Open Built
Built Vs Open
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Community spaces] The complex comprises a mosque- MASJID a lecture hall for religious discourses-NAJMI HALL a hallfor community gatherings on social occasions- JAMATKHANA a travellers lodge- MUSAFIRKHANA the local priests house with an administrative office for community institutions.
View of a mosque in Siddhpur, revealing a decorative facade influenced by the British.
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Community spaces]
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Shape and Form] Sloping Roof Agasi [ Flat roof]
PLAN FORM [INTROVERT] Bohra houses have same built form as Pol houses of Ahmadabad. The ratio between the depth of house[x] and frontage[y] varies most X:Y = 1: 1.5 - 3.6
ROOF FORM • The roof of these kind of house are sloping covered • Some areas are also left flat (agasi) sleeping on summer nights and also for several domestic activities.
Pol Houses [Form , Shape] Narrow edges of the pols faces the street which means more number of people are offsetted to the streets which in turn promotes interaction
• The essence of a pol is a network of small streets. The streets used to be formerly owned jointly by the residents of the pol. • Most of the houses extending their activities onto the streets: the washing place of each house is located on the street, where the residents wash their clothes and utensils. • Children play on the street adjoining the houses, so that the parents can watch them. The street also serves for parking of bicycles and scooters. Source:http://portfolio.cept.ac.in/lost-heritage-of-jethabhai-ni-pol/
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Spatial Organisation] Privacy vis-a-vis outsiders is of greater concern to Bohras. • The hierarchy maintained in vertical and horizontal hierarchy of its spaces, going from the most public to the most private enclosures. • The enclosed spaces within the house also reflect a distinct identity from other religious groups and a sense of seclusion and privacy from outsiders. •Even after the entry, the principle of hierarchy is maintained by way of a vertical hierarchy in the house.
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Spatial Organisation] OTLA Contrary to the other communities, the Bohras rarely use the otla. This could be attributed to the greater confinement of women in the social set up of the Bohras. DEHLI the anteroom serves as the second buffer zone.Light wooden screens are placed to avoid aclear view into the house. Also serves as a brief meeting point between the menfolk and casual visitors. CHOWK The open to sky court helps ventilate the whole house besides letting in light on all floors. The kitchen and other services are located around the court.
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Spatial Organisation] BAHARNI PARSAL: The space immediately after the court is fully open on the courtside The kitchen and other services are located around the court. Also used for dining and lounging and all domestic activities are also carried out here. ANDARNI PARSAL often has a swing which is popular in hot climates to keep cool. This space is used predominantly as a family lounging space during the hot afternoons. ORDO The house ends in the family's living room ordo, which is richly decorated with seating in traditional style placed on the floor.
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Spatial Organisation] RAVAS The stair is also located in the area around the court. This space is known as ravas. AGASHI On the top floor, the ravas becomes a terrace separating the rooms in the front and at the back. In summers Terrace is used for sleeping in night, while in winters it is occupied during the day. RASODU
The kitchen, Paniyaro is situated along the eastern wall of the court.`
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Spatial Organisation]
Source:http://archive.catchnews.com/photo/the-art-of-living-inside-sidhpur-s-stunning-bohra-homes-1442072044.html
Bohra Houses Of Gujarat [Element]
ZAROKHA
Shielded from outsiders by iron screens, these have window seats on the inside which allows women to sit together and enjoy outside view. This element essentially generated by social customs of allowing women to peep out without being seen.
Kath Khuni House [Siting] Climate : Cold and Cloudy Location : Himachal Pradesh Material : Wood and Stone The villages are beautifully located in the middle of the mountains, as if suspended between two worlds—the river valley below and the great stone mass of the mountain above. • A palace (darbargadh) or temple often forms the focal point of the village, being built on the highest place or the largest plateau of flat ground. • The organisation of houses creates further social spaces between buildings and along pathways. • Because of the steep, stepped terrain, houses lie scattered across and up the mountain plateau.
Source:http://cargocollective.com/soumyabasdesign/Pratha
Kath Khuni House [Siting] Around these focal points are markets, community spaces and schools ,government centres.
Source:http://cargocollective.com/soumyabasdesign/Pratha The organisation of houses creates further social spaces between buildings and along pathways. They spill out on the streets with activities such as washing cleaning and water heating.
Kath Khuni House [Siting]
Kath Khuni House [Form and Shape]
Steep Sloped Roof
Small doors & Windows Cuboidal Structure Extended Balcony
The essence of a Himachal house, its ‘story unit,’ is a space that is rectangular or cuboid. The kath- khuni house shows extroverted organisation with extended balconies on the periphery. Himachal’s extreme climate means that local building has to conserve heat and disperse snow: hence the small doors and windows, extended balconies steep sloped roofs.
Kath-Khuni House [Spatial Planning] The smallest houses are single cuboids stacked in two or three layers (ground, first and second floors). The size of the house increases as more cuboids are stacked side-by-side and upwards. The house has a high plinth. In the lower part of the gaushala walls, only stone is used at base level. The entrance to the living quarters is parallel to the gaushala door and is approached by a wooden staircase at the side of the house leading to the enclosed first floor balcony. The first floor has rooms for fixed storage and unique feature of mini granary. It is hidden from outside view. The second floor is used for cooking, cleaning, living and entertainment of guests. To one side of the entertainment room is the kitchen and the other side is the living room.
Kath-Khuni House [Spatial Planning]
Activities taking place in a Kath- Khuni House during snowy winters and Sunny summers
Kath-Khuni House [Element]
PLINTH
PLINTH AND BALCONIES AS SOCIAL INTERCATION SPACES
It is made of slabs of slate stone layered over the entire footprint of the house. It is usually located at the front and two sides of the house. The plinth receives interaction between neighbors, food and fodder provided to animals. It demarcates the building from the street.
Kath-Khuni House [Element] Balcony as an Interactive space The balconies are found in the first and second floors of the house and built around the perimeter of the house. These spaces are used to transport goods to all spaces of houses, to hang laundry, and is a very important element for promoting social interaction.
Newari Houses [Siting] Climate : Temperate climate Location : Kathmandu, Nepal. Material : Brick, Mortar and Timber.
Newari Community Newari houses are typically found in flat terrain. They share common walls with adjacent buildings. This building type forms part of an urban block of adjacent buildings, arranged either in rows or in square or rectangular blocks with an internal courtyard.
Kaminani Community, Bhaktapur City, Nepal Reconstruction in Urban and Rural Areas After the Nepal Earthquake ‘Tekhacho Tole’ Housing Reconstruction Project, Bhaktapur https://www.flickr.com/photos/fredmin/14037071217
Newari Houses [ Community space] Conservation of an Ancient Newari Settlement of Bungamati - linking built form to sociocultural activities -Dr. Bijaya K. Shrestha1, Ar. Sushmita Shrestha2
Built Vs Open Often several houses belonging to members of an extended family will be grouped around a common courtyard, Courtyard acts as a buffer area as well as a space for spillage of household activities.
The chowk is about 20-25% of the total area.
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/newar-house.html
Newari Houses [ Built form]
Newari houses show introverted centripetal organisation with shared walls, have one or two courts with newari houses around it, opening to narrow shaded streets within dense built contexts.
Newari Houses [ Spatial Planning] The typical Newar house is 3-4 stories high and maintains a vertical as well as horizontal hierarchy. The intricacy of its facade is an indicator of the social status of its occupants. CHERI Lowest floor- storage place for agricultural goods, sometimes a small shop. MATAN The second floor -private sleeping room. CHOTA Public entertaining as well as housework, and usually opens to the street through large, exquisitely carved windows. BHAIGAH The top-most floor -the kitchen. The most private and most sacred part of the house, and it is off limits to those who might pollute it by being of unclean caste or by behaving improperly. On this level other family shrines that are used for religious ceremonies.
FIG. 6. Typical Nepalese houses groupedaround a common courtyard. Based on: drawings by Danish architects group in, FP. Hosken, The Kathmandu Valley Towns: a record of life and change in Nepal (New York: Weatherhill, 1974).
Newari Houses [ Element]
Newari Window
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/newar-house.html
COMPARATIVE CHART