India is urbanizing at a rapid rate. This rapid urbanization is essential for the growth of econo... more India is urbanizing at a rapid rate. This rapid urbanization is essential for the growth of economic opportunities but the built-environment is facing crucial challenges. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan coupled with the creative spirits of good architects will help to realize the true potential of urbanization for a sustainable and prosperous future for India. Architecture education and practice should transform and develop to accommodate the needs of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Institutions in India should have reciprocal arrangements with other countries and thus expand the opportunities of the student to gain a broader experience in an increasingly globalized profession. Architecture education should also be internationally validated with direct evidence of student learning. There should be a paradigm shift in the design of Education towards developing professionals with the ability to understand and use local knowledge, traditional knowledge, and emerging technologies while being cognizant of critical issues such a climate change. Architectural practice requires becoming financially competitive and technologically challenging to keep up with the international standards of design and delivery.
Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600's with the wooden pa... more Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600's with the wooden palace 'ThaiKottaram' (mother palace) at Padmanabhapuram as the oldest representative of an indigenous tradition in timber construction. Most of these strictly adhere to 'Taccusastra', the science of carpentry which may be considered as a regional version of Vastusastra. This indigenous knowledge in wooden craftsmanship was transmitted through generations in the form of tradition. Moisture stimulates biological activity and acts as catalyst through which reactions occur on timber. Whether there is appropriate design and construction measures employed in traditional timber architecture of Travancore (either in the traditional theory or in practice), to neutralize the deleterious effects of moisture was not investigated in depth earlier. Focusing on this, the research paper seeks to make a scrupulous study of traditional timber architecture built according to 'Taccusastra', to explore into the 'traditional responses' of timber architecture in tolerating the deleterious effects of moisture.
Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600’s with the wooden pa... more Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600’s with the wooden palace ‘ThaiKottaram’ (mother palace) at Padmanabhapuram as the oldest representative of an indigenous tradition in timber construction. Most of these strictly adhere to ‘Taccusastra’, the science of carpentry which may be considered as a regional version of Vastusastra. This indigenous knowledge in wooden craftsmanship was transmitted through generations in the form of tradition. Moisture stimulates biological activity and acts as catalyst through which reactions occur on timber. Whether there is appropriate design and construction measures employed in traditional timber architecture of Travancore (either in the traditional theory or in practice), to neutralize the deleterious effects of moisture was not investigated in depth earlier. Focusing on this, the research paper seeks to make a scrupulous study of traditional timber architecture built according to ‘Taccusastra’, to explore into t...
Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. Hi... more Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. History has proved that the various architectural styles have developed in response to climate, lifestyle, geology and geography of a place, religious philosophy of the people and availability of building materials. Religion and lifestyle seem to be the most common influences overall. Culture, in fact, underlines the important role that economics, politics, religion, heritage and the natural environment play in shaping the built environment. Kerala (the southern-most state of India), the land of temples appears unique in this context as the temples here were the pivot of religious, social, economic and cultural life of every Keralite. The typical Hindu temples of Kerala stand out from among the Indian temple typology in its form, structural clarity, stylistic tradition, symbolism and above all, in its construction and craftsmanship in wood. They show a distinctive style which is a local adaptation of the Dravida or the South Indian tradition of temple construction, considerably influenced by the various geographical, religious, cultural and political factors. Most of the temples of Kerala are traditionally neighborhood institutions of worship, rich in both tangible and intangible cultural values. The spatiality of Kerala temples follows the general Indian philosophical concepts of the centre, axis and the human relatedness to cosmic reality, while its implementation in the built form follows the Vedic religious practices. This paper attempts to explore the evolution of the generic built form of temples of Kerala and the philosophical and spatial concepts of their architecture.
... Timber structures were preserved to tolerate the deleterious effects due to physical, chemica... more ... Timber structures were preserved to tolerate the deleterious effects due to physical, chemical and biological weathering agents causing decay from ancient times. 1) Modern Approach towards Preservation of Historic Timber Structures The 13th and 14th causes of the Principles ...
Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. Hi... more Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. History has proved that the various architectural styles have developed in response to climate, lifestyle, geology and geography of a place, religious philosophy of the people and availability of building materials. Religion and lifestyle seem to be the most common influences overall. Culture, in fact, underlines the important role that economics, politics, religion, heritage and the natural environment play in shaping the built environment. Kerala (the southern-most state of India), the land of temples appears unique in this context as the temples here were the pivot of religious, social, economic and cultural life of every Keralite. The typical Hindu temples of Kerala stand out from among the Indian temple typology in its form, structural clarity, stylistic tradition, symbolism and above all, in its construction and craftsmanship in wood. They show a distinctive style which is a local adaptation of the Dravida or the South Indian tradition of temple construction, considerably influenced by the various geographical, religious, cultural and political factors. Most of the temples of Kerala are traditionally neighborhood institutions of worship, rich in both tangible and intangible cultural values. The spatiality of Kerala temples follows the general Indian philosophical concepts of the centre, axis and the human relatedness to cosmic reality, while its implementation in the built form follows the Vedic religious practices. This paper attempts to explore the evolution of the generic built form of temples of Kerala and the philosophical and spatial concepts of their architecture.
India is urbanizing at a rapid rate. This rapid urbanization is essential for the growth of econo... more India is urbanizing at a rapid rate. This rapid urbanization is essential for the growth of economic opportunities but the built-environment is facing crucial challenges. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan coupled with the creative spirits of good architects will help to realize the true potential of urbanization for a sustainable and prosperous future for India. Architecture education and practice should transform and develop to accommodate the needs of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Institutions in India should have reciprocal arrangements with other countries and thus expand the opportunities of the student to gain a broader experience in an increasingly globalized profession. Architecture education should also be internationally validated with direct evidence of student learning. There should be a paradigm shift in the design of Education towards developing professionals with the ability to understand and use local knowledge, traditional knowledge, and emerging technologies while being cognizant of critical issues such a climate change. Architectural practice requires becoming financially competitive and technologically challenging to keep up with the international standards of design and delivery.
Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600's with the wooden pa... more Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600's with the wooden palace 'ThaiKottaram' (mother palace) at Padmanabhapuram as the oldest representative of an indigenous tradition in timber construction. Most of these strictly adhere to 'Taccusastra', the science of carpentry which may be considered as a regional version of Vastusastra. This indigenous knowledge in wooden craftsmanship was transmitted through generations in the form of tradition. Moisture stimulates biological activity and acts as catalyst through which reactions occur on timber. Whether there is appropriate design and construction measures employed in traditional timber architecture of Travancore (either in the traditional theory or in practice), to neutralize the deleterious effects of moisture was not investigated in depth earlier. Focusing on this, the research paper seeks to make a scrupulous study of traditional timber architecture built according to 'Taccusastra', to explore into the 'traditional responses' of timber architecture in tolerating the deleterious effects of moisture.
Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600’s with the wooden pa... more Traditional timber buildings of Kerala in S. India can be dated back to 1600’s with the wooden palace ‘ThaiKottaram’ (mother palace) at Padmanabhapuram as the oldest representative of an indigenous tradition in timber construction. Most of these strictly adhere to ‘Taccusastra’, the science of carpentry which may be considered as a regional version of Vastusastra. This indigenous knowledge in wooden craftsmanship was transmitted through generations in the form of tradition. Moisture stimulates biological activity and acts as catalyst through which reactions occur on timber. Whether there is appropriate design and construction measures employed in traditional timber architecture of Travancore (either in the traditional theory or in practice), to neutralize the deleterious effects of moisture was not investigated in depth earlier. Focusing on this, the research paper seeks to make a scrupulous study of traditional timber architecture built according to ‘Taccusastra’, to explore into t...
Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. Hi... more Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. History has proved that the various architectural styles have developed in response to climate, lifestyle, geology and geography of a place, religious philosophy of the people and availability of building materials. Religion and lifestyle seem to be the most common influences overall. Culture, in fact, underlines the important role that economics, politics, religion, heritage and the natural environment play in shaping the built environment. Kerala (the southern-most state of India), the land of temples appears unique in this context as the temples here were the pivot of religious, social, economic and cultural life of every Keralite. The typical Hindu temples of Kerala stand out from among the Indian temple typology in its form, structural clarity, stylistic tradition, symbolism and above all, in its construction and craftsmanship in wood. They show a distinctive style which is a local adaptation of the Dravida or the South Indian tradition of temple construction, considerably influenced by the various geographical, religious, cultural and political factors. Most of the temples of Kerala are traditionally neighborhood institutions of worship, rich in both tangible and intangible cultural values. The spatiality of Kerala temples follows the general Indian philosophical concepts of the centre, axis and the human relatedness to cosmic reality, while its implementation in the built form follows the Vedic religious practices. This paper attempts to explore the evolution of the generic built form of temples of Kerala and the philosophical and spatial concepts of their architecture.
... Timber structures were preserved to tolerate the deleterious effects due to physical, chemica... more ... Timber structures were preserved to tolerate the deleterious effects due to physical, chemical and biological weathering agents causing decay from ancient times. 1) Modern Approach towards Preservation of Historic Timber Structures The 13th and 14th causes of the Principles ...
Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. Hi... more Every culture can stir a type of architecture that can range from landmarks to everyday homes. History has proved that the various architectural styles have developed in response to climate, lifestyle, geology and geography of a place, religious philosophy of the people and availability of building materials. Religion and lifestyle seem to be the most common influences overall. Culture, in fact, underlines the important role that economics, politics, religion, heritage and the natural environment play in shaping the built environment. Kerala (the southern-most state of India), the land of temples appears unique in this context as the temples here were the pivot of religious, social, economic and cultural life of every Keralite. The typical Hindu temples of Kerala stand out from among the Indian temple typology in its form, structural clarity, stylistic tradition, symbolism and above all, in its construction and craftsmanship in wood. They show a distinctive style which is a local adaptation of the Dravida or the South Indian tradition of temple construction, considerably influenced by the various geographical, religious, cultural and political factors. Most of the temples of Kerala are traditionally neighborhood institutions of worship, rich in both tangible and intangible cultural values. The spatiality of Kerala temples follows the general Indian philosophical concepts of the centre, axis and the human relatedness to cosmic reality, while its implementation in the built form follows the Vedic religious practices. This paper attempts to explore the evolution of the generic built form of temples of Kerala and the philosophical and spatial concepts of their architecture.
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