Case Study
Case Study
Case Study
SUBMITTEDBY:
STUTI SHARMA
05518001617
SUBMITTED TO:
AR.SWATI PUNYAL
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE
BATCH: 2017-22
DATE : 00/00/00
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CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTIBILITY
This is to certify that Mr. / Ms. Enrollment no.- 05518001617 is a registered student of the
Institute has completed his/her B. Arch Research Paper in accordance with the requirements as
laid down by the department& as per GGIPU syllabus.
Seal of
Date .
Dept.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Research Paper presented here would not have been possible but for the guidance&
support of Ar. TanyaGupta, HOD, School of Architecture for extending her support & valuable
guidance whenever wherever required.
Guide & mentor for her/his relentless pursuit of high academic standards, the can-do attitude &
imbibing professional ethics have helped this project meet high academic standards &
professional working.
And also my friends & colleagues who were always around to help me.
STUTI SHARMA
Student
2017-22
Batch
Date _____________.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2 Need of the study ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3 Aim ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.4 Objectives .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.5 Scope ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.6 Limitations .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.7 Hypothesis ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.8 Methodology ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2. Literature study ......................................................................................................... 10
2.1 Vernacular Architecture ....................................................................................... 10
2.1.1 Benefits of vernacular architecture ................................................................. 11
2.1.2 Factors influencing vernacular architecture .................................................... 12
2.2 Hilly regions of India ............................................................................................. 13
2.3 Vernacular architecture of hilly regions of North India ......................................... 15
2.3.1 Himachal Pradesh ......................................................................................... 15
2.3.2 Jammu and Kashmir ..................................................................................... 19
2.3.3 Leh Ladakh.................................................................................................... 37
2.3.4 Uttarakhand ................................................................................................... 28
2.4 Construction Techniques ..................................................................................... 38
2.4.1 Kath-kuni style : .............................................................................................. 38
2.4.2 Mud Houses : ................................................................................................. 38
2.4.3 Thathara ......................................................................................................... 39
2.4.4 Dhajji Wall ...................................................................................................... 40
2.4.5 Taq Construction ............................................................................................ 41
2.5 Formulation of Building Regulations .................................................................... 42
2.5.1 Ground Coverage : ......................................................................................... 46
2.5.2 Material Regulation : ...................................................................................... 46
2.5.4 Site development regulations ......................................................................... 47
2.5.5 Slope stabilization and protection : ................................................................. 48
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2.5.6 Aesthetic and facade design regulations : ...................................................... 48
2.6 Green building materials for hilly regions ............................................................. 49
2.6.1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 49
2.6.2 Need for sustainable construction ................................................................. 49
2.6.3 Green building materials for hilly regions ...................................................... 49
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List of Figures
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1. Introduction
Vernacular is often described as an encapsulation of magnificence and celestial
flawlessness. Vernacular architecture is an architectural style that is designed based on
local needs, availability of construction materials and reflecting local traditions. A
vernacular building is the one which is for daily use for ordinary, local people and built
by local craftsmen. But why has it become so ironic as to see a depression in such
buildings and a rise in the contemporary modern counterparts. Though modern
architecture has taken its throne in today‘s world, nevertheless vernacular architecture
is always referred and looked up to for academic literature, guidance and for
environmental practices. But in this contemporary world, the local architecture is being
ignored. This ignorance is causing damage and harm to nature. To avoid this harm, the
architects are combining regionalism and cultural building traditions which is resulting in
energy efficient, cost efficient and climate responsive buildings.
This particular research work will enlighten the relation between man and nature
through rituals and believes through the case studies done on traditional housing
systems. The viability and the sustainability of vernacular buildings have always been
an important asset to man. We can see a change in exploring history of architecture in
time, as much importance is emphasized on vernacular architecture with environmental
that can be beneficial to the modern day science. The immediate connection to human
needs and convenience of economy, conviction and social qualities yields a
phenomenological feeling of spot that is along these lines significant incentive to the
investigation of past conventions however as a commitment to new strategies, solutions
and achievements for the future built environment. In this time of rapid technological
advancement and urbanization, there is still much to be learned from the traditional
knowledge of vernacular construction.
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1.2 Need of the study
The need of vernacular architecture is to provide a space which is climatically
responsive and aesthetically pleasing. Vernacular materials provide more financially
feasible, eco-friendly and technically sound design. Due to these possibilities, these
materials and design have gained the attention in the green building movement, by the
use of locally accessible resources that address local conditions in a cost-effective way.
Using vernacular architecture also provides contextual approach to design process.
These are the principles which are more often ignored by prevailing architects. Hence
vernacular architecture is being promoted for the contemporary modern design.
1.3 Aim
To comprehend the importance and relevance of vernacular architecture and its
adaptation in hilly areas.
1.4 Objectives
To study salient features of vernacular practices evolved in hilly areas like the
use of local materials, environmentally friendly design, etc.
To highlight the advantages of using local materials and techniques as a factor of
local socio-economic development.
To analyse the effect of vernacular architecture in a sustainable approach.
To propose vernacular strategies which provide sufficient protection against
harsh climatic conditions and natural calamities.
1.5 Scope
Attaining cost-effectiveness using locally available materials.
Understanding the culture of hilly areas and how it is reflected in architecture.
Creating a space that has minimal harmful impact on nature.
Reduce the construction waste.
Highlight materiality and design innovation.
A contextual approach to design process.
1.6 Limitations
The study area is limited towards exploring the vernacular architecture of hilly regions of
India, analysing the benefit and need of its adaptation towards contemporary world and
to look at the work of architects with the help of case studies.
1.7 Hypothesis
Vernacular architecture shall be adapted in contemporary world to make energy-
efficient, cost-effective and climate responsive buildings in hilly areas
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1.8 Methodology
Selection of topic
Survey – questionnaire
Conclusion
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2. Literature study
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Vernacular architecture sticks to fundamental green building standards of energy
efficiency and using materials and assets in nearness to the site. These structures profit
by the local information on how structures can be viably planned just as how to take
advantage of neighborhood materials and assets. In the event that anything is to be
taken from vernacular architecture, it gives an essential association among people and
nature. It restores us in our specific aspect of the world and powers us to think as far as
unadulterated endurance – design before the designer.
The development of vernacular architecture centers on the functions that the building
type is required to perform. The design at that point for the most part develops after
some time, getting more refined and customized to the settings wherein it exists,
including:
(Edwards, 2011)
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Figure 2 - Benefits of Vernacular Architecture
Culture: The social foundation additionally helps in outlining the vernacular of a particular
territory. The convictions and ceremonies practice by the individuals, the nearby food and
living style likewise assumes a fundamental job.
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Materials:. Material utilized will rely on the state of being of that region. Vernacular
is maintainable and doesn't debilitate nearby assets. Just those assets are utilized
which are found in plenitude and are non-comprehensive.
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Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya in the Himalayas and
in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Tamilnadu, and Kerala in Western
ghats.[1] Some are located in Eastern ghat Tamilnadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.
3) LEH LADAKH
6) NAGALAND - Kohima
7) MANIPUR - Imphal
9) GUJARAT - Saputara
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2.3 Vernacular architecture of hilly regions of Northern India
2.3.1 Himachal Pradesh
1) Climate :
There is a huge variation in the climatic condition due to variation in altitude. The
climate varies from:
Hot and sub-humid tropical (350- 900m) in the southern low tracts
Warm and temperate (900-1800m)
Cool and temperate (1900-2400m)
Cool glacial and alpine (2400- 4800m) in the northern and eastern high elevated
mountain ranges.
The annual average rainfall is 1469mm.
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Climatic Influence –
Due to the cold climate, the southern slopes are preferred. The orientation of the
houses is to maximize the penetration of the sun rays.
The path of the sun, controls the height of building, as the sun is needed for each
dwelling unit.
The structure is a two storey building with an Attic.
Low Height of the rooms (2.1 – 2.4 m) which results in low surface to volume ratio
reducing heat loss from surfaces.
Small window size and low ceiling height to prevent heat loss and keep the interiors
warmer.
Terrace in all around the building should have proper slope for efficient drainage, in
Slope for
efficient
drainage
Small
windows
Low ceiling
height
2) Culture :
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Forest and Farming – 64% of land area is covered with forests in Himachal
Pradesh. Because of the existence of these forests, the most predominant
material of construction is wood. Primary rooted in a difficult landscape , the
lifestyle and economy revolves around farming.
Artisanal activities – Relative isolation, combined with harsh climate , and being
cut off in the hills, appear to have encouraged artisanal activities such as wood
carving, weaving, embroidery, brass work, etc. with a very refined aesthetic
sense.
Land of Gods - It is no wonder that every hamlet and village in the mountains –
no matter how small it may be , worships one or more devtas. This is perhaps the
reason why temples occupy site that are experientially highly charged.
Cultural influence –
• The major occupation – agriculture. Thus the house consist of many stores
built for storage of grains.
• Service Area forms a separate unit away from the living quarters. Generally,
cow-shed and kitchen forms a separate unit.
• The Indian calendar months of Baisakh, Poh, Magh and Phalgun are regarded
as auspicious for the start of construction.
• Ideally, the main aspect of the house should face east and the rising sun.
• As a general rule the houses do not have a boundary wall.
3) Building Materials :
Deodar Wood
• Easily available, one of the strongest Indian conifers.
• Imparts stability to tall structures.
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• This wood is insect and termite resistant and even when untreated, can
withstand long periods of weather corrosion.
• Used in making posts, beams, window and door frames, shutters, roofs
etc.
• Soft wood, easy to work in absence of high tech tools.
• Its properties were understood early and its texture and scent have been
prized for ages.
Mud
• Easy availability.
• Good insulation.
• Good binding properties.
• Either mud is filled into the wooden
forms and rammed into the place slowly
building up the wall or sun dried mud blocks
are used in the construction of the wall.
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Figure 7 - Mud used for construction
Stone
• Hard Stone: Obtained from local quarries and used in building foundation and
walls.
• Slate Tiles: Metamorphic rock. Used in roofs of buildings. Has high quartz
content, frost resistant, absorbs heat and provides moisture barrier. Low
maintenance, Invulnerable to rot and insects.
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The character and forms are different from one climatic and geographic zone to
other which can be identified in three separate zones, i.e., upto 4000 ft. (1200 m
approx.), upto 9000 ft. (2700 m approx.) and above 9000 ft. (2700 m approx.) So
the state of Himachal can be broadly classified into three zones depending upon
their elevations (Fig.1).
In the first climatic zone i.e., up to height of 4,000 ft. (1200 m approx.), where climatic
conditions are mild throughout the year, i.e., pleasant summers, mild winters and
medium rain falls. Flora of this region is similar to that of Tarai belt. The special
characteristics of this zone are absence of snow fall.
The orientation of the buildings in this zone is mostly East and South. The slope of the
land is from 0 to 30æ approximately. Materials available for construction are stone
slabs for flooring and roofing, stone and earth for walls and wooden plank supports on
wooden joists for intermediate floors. A typical innovative technique for construction of
earthen walls is use of a bottomless wooden box 0.60X0.90 m, with a height of 0.23 m
in which earth is filled and rammed thus creating 0.23 m layer of rammed earth at every
stage for the construction of a wall which is 0.60 m thick. The another innovative
techniques is the use of locally available slate stone which are used for sloping roof and
are placed on heavy wooden supports with overlapping of 0.0254 - 0.0308 m. These
slates are not fixed to wooden supports but remain in place by weight only or
sometimes they nailed to the wooden joists/rafters. The slope of roof is confined to
maximum 22.5 degree.
ln areas of heavy rainfall such as Dharamshala and Palampur steeply-sloping roofs
and deep verandahs are necessary, the former to drain off the rains quickly and the
later to allow open-air living during rainy season and for protection of the walls. Before
the British influence, the buildings constructed in these areas bore the influence of
Rajasthan and Mughal architecture which existed throughout northern India at that
time. However, with the coming of the British the jack-arch was introduced and
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Dharamshala-type roofing was evolved for areas of heavy rainfall using plain or
galvanized iron sheets for roofing. tables and figures you insert in your document are
only to help you gauge the size of your paper, for the convenience of the referees, and
to make it easy for you to distribute preprints.
1) Traditional Construction Techniques - Mud Construction
Mud construction is prevalent in Himachal in two types, rammed earth
conduction and sun dried mud brick construction. Sun dried mud bricks are
used in the Kangra region where good quality of mud is available from the river
beds. The walls are made of sun dried bricks about 0.60 –0.90 mt. thick
plastered with mud phuska. These walls are susceptible to erosion due to rain
thus the buildings are raised over stone or plastered to avoid erosion. The floors
are made of wood plastered with mud enabling insulation (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Views of Mud construction (a) Rammed Earth Construction (b) Staircase detail
in Mud House (c) Modern House made up by traditional construction techniques (d)
Interior details of mud brick house.
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orthogonal directions.
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Fig. 4 Cattles on the Ground floor and dwelling on First Floor also the Fenestration
on south facing at Kullu
The walls are constructed of alternate layers of wood and stone (Fig. 5 a, c). The
wood battens 0.10-0.15 m thick extend beyond the wall length and interlock with the
wood on perpendicular wall. The wooden planks are interlocked by lap joint. Floors
are made of wood not more than 2.10-2.40 m high for better insulation. The upper
floors project out of the stone wall with wooden balconies creating a sun space for
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sitting. Thus maximizes the heat gain. This type of construction is earthquake
resistant as the wooden battens form a framework which is well bonded and gives
ductility to the otherwise rigid stone wall [5], [2].
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built 2-3 storeys high (Fig 7 a) where the vertical wooden posts are meant to
carry the load. Horizontal members are placed at different levels with an in-fill of
wooden battens [5]. The upper flowers are cantilevered thus providing living
space all around. In some cases, the ground floor is built in stone masonry with
the upper floor of wood (Fig. 7b).
Fig. 7 Views of wooden houses (a) Two storied wooden house (b) Wooden cantilevered
upper floor with ground floor of stone masonry.
In the third climatic zone which starts from 9000 ft. (2700 m approx.) and extends to
higher reaches of literal snow, last human habitation is at an altitude of about 15000
ft. (4500 m approx.). The climatic conditions keep on changing with the altitude, i.e.,
from 9000 ft. to 11000 ft. (2700-3300 m approx.) there is rain falls as well as snow fall,
but after 11000 ft. (3300 m approx.) there is only snow fall.
Habitants of this area who had never experienced rains in their living memory are now
witnessing rain fall which is a new phenomena in the area. This is due to emission of
hydro- carbons from fossil fuel driven vehicles layer of atmosphere, altering the
temperature.
Flora in this region consists of Bitula Chilgosa and at higher altitude Willows which
also give way to alpine pastures after 14000 ft. (4200 m approx.) Due to climatic
conditions the development of vernacular architecture is based on construction
techniques which are entirely different than any other region. The rocks keep on
disintegrating due to vast temperature difference between day and night. The snow
falls is also in powder form, due to winter temperature of minus zero reaching upto
minus 32 degree in mid winter. The mode of construction used is rammed earth block
for walls beaten earth for flooring and flat roof consisting earth layer over 6-7 layers of
Bitula barks which are placed over wooden planks supported by wooden joists (Fig.
8a-b).
There is 0.10 m layer of sand in between two layers of Bitula barks. To conserve
energy the height of rooms are confined to
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2.10m and openings are very small. A technique of supporting 2 thick earthen wall
over 0.075 m frame by using small size battens kept at right angle to each other in
alternate layers is same thing peculiar to this region. In the high altitude cold desert
areas of Spiti, flat roof consisting earth covering ever willow branches resting in
wooden joists is an innovative method of constructing flat roof (Fig. 8 a-b). This
technique has been evolved due to absence of any other material available for
roofing.
Fig. 8 Views showing building typology (a) Mud houses at Tabo, Kinnaur,
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Fig. 9 Views of Mud construction (a) Rammed Earth Construction (b) View of Kie
Monastry (c) dwelling at Spiti valley (d) Construction details of the rammed earth mud
houses.
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Fig. 10 Use of dry stone masonry at Nako, Kinnaur
2.3.4 Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand lies in the northern part of India and extends from the Tons- Yamuna
river in the west to Kali river in the east. The west boundary of the state is bound with
Himachal Pradesh and formed by Supin, Tons and Yamuna. The southern extend lies
in the plains of western Uttar Pradesh while to the North is the region of Tibet.
Uttarakhand is frequently visited by tourist, pilgrims, hermits, writers, naturalists and
environmentalists as it is a treasure of natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna and a
home to sacred temples and monasteries. There are many ancient temples and
buildings in the region which were constructed over a period of time under the
influence of the local culture, topography, materials available, geo-climatic conditions,
and seismic activity. The Garhwal and the Kumaon regions have different local
languages, culture and traditions. The building styles have also evolved independently
in both the regions due to such differences.
This region comprises of the districts of Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal,
Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi. The characteristic features of the
traditional architecture found in this region are dictated by the immense availability of
stone and timber in the areas. The walls are typically made of stone while timber is
used for the structural purposes and the slates are used for roofing. The floors are
made of wooden planks or mud, for insulation and occasionally stone slabs are also
used..
The buildings are placed along the contours in the stepped terraces with large
openings in front of the building and the waste drains in the rear part. The orientation
of the houses are kept towards the east, south and west directions to get the benefit
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of the maximum direct sunlight. To receive sunlight at the rear part of the buildings
also, the height and the spaces between them are graded.
The most unique feature of the Kumaon building typology is the interior space
organization and design. It is same irrespective of the economic class of the owner or
the status in the society. The difference is only in the decoration of the entrance
(Kholi) and slight variation in the sizes of the rooms and wood carvings. The sloping
roof of slate and the intricate wooden carvings on the doors and windows give
coherence and unity to the elements of the building. There is usually no change in the
design of the houses even when two units are placed together.
The design of the typical traditional house i.e. the 'Kholi' has the entry from the centre
of the house dividing the house into two parts. Over time, both the parts have evolved
into two separate units on either side of the stairs. The ground floor is called 'Goth'
and is meant for cattle, fodder and storage. This helps to give warmth to the upper
floors where the people reside. The living areas on the first floor have a sitting area in
the front (Chakh) and a multi-purpose middle room (Majhala) with a central wooden
non-structural pillar. The kitchen is in the attic or top floor which is approached by a
wooden ladder and is ventilated through the holes in the roof slates. For storage, the
space below the stair landings are used as stores (Kotharis) and loft above the chakh.
To conserve the natural warmth in winters the height of the floors especially of Goth,
kitchen and lofts are kept very low. Openings are kept very small for the similar
reasons. Fig. 1: Typical house from Kumaon region
These compact traditional buildings are visually harmonious with their surroundings
but they lack in the basic sense of the interior- exterior spaces relationships. This is
apparently because of the cellular compactness of the utility spaces. The spaces
even have inadequate light and ventilation.
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careful site selection usually enroute to the pilgrim centers, near sources of water and
in the areas which provide protection from the cold winds in winter. The traditional
houses are built along the contours of the hills and are generally of two or three
floors, having a rectangular plan.
The living and cooking areas have low height and are provided above the cattle
space, fuel and fodder space to provide warmth in winters. Approach to the living
areas on the first floor is through the staircase on the side of the house. The balcony
mostly 75cm in width in front of the house forms an integral part of the building.
Construction materials like stone, wood and slate are used extensively as they are
locally available and easy to handle using manual tools, equipments and manual
labour. A wooden structural frame is made and locally available stone is infilled for
making the walls. The beams and columns made of timber are intricately carved to
improve the aesthetics. Floors and ceiling of the building are also made from the
wooden planks. The sloping roofs are made with slates and are supported over
wooden trusses.
The 'Kothar' or the grain storage structure symbolizes the affluence of the family and
is located near the house. These are wooden structures placed 1.0m above the
ground level with a small gap all-around the rectangular structure to keep it isolated so
that the grains do not get damaged easily.
At some strategic locations, 7-8 storied tall wooden structures were made with timer
frames called 'Sumers'. These structures dominate the skyline and served as
emergency shelters, watch towers, place of village diety and as a landmark for the
town. Such structures are more than 200 years old and have sustained the seismic
activities of the region. Sumers have a modular form and were made flexible enough
to bear the tremors of an earthquake, with the floor to floor height extending from 1.5
to 1.8 m. In Garhwal region, the overall settlement and the built-forms incorporate
multi-utilization of the stepped slopes cut through the hills, and is governed by the
close relationship between the man and nature.
The vernacular architecture of Uttarakhand differs all throughout the state based on
the geo-climatic conditions and the local materials used for construction. The major
factors which guide the construction typologies in the state are the a) climate, b)
materials available for construction and their techniques used, c) spending capacity of
the people or affordability, d) features used against flood/ snow/ earthquake
resistance, e) living habits, f) ease of maintenance and environment friendly g) use of
aesthetical and architectural features. The construction typologies can be divided into
three physiological zones of foothills, low level hilly regions, and mountainous regions.
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1.1 Foothills
The basic factors which guide the local architecture of this zone are: a) availability of
good quality top soil, b) warm temperatures and moderate
level of precipitation c) agricultural residue, d) easy availability of non- local materials.
When a house is made within a short period of time usually for extension, the low
cost technology of using the agricultural waste is used for construction. A lot of
agricultural waste is available in the low lying plains, which is used for making walls
with mud. The left over from the harvest of wheat, corn, barley etc are used for this
purpose. The roof covering material is also the thatch from harvests of sugarcane or
some dried wild grass, while timber is used as the structural frame for the roof
supported by the walls.
The better level of construction technology used in this region for making houses is
through the use of hand-made sun dried bricks called 'Cob'. The cob walls are load
bearing and are made with bricks similar in size to that of the burnt bricks. The roof is
made of thatch which is costlier for a poor family as it requires frequent maintenance.
Another type of roofing system that is used is with mud layering over timber deck
supported by mud walls. Houses with such type of construction are decades old as
the timber is very costly now.
Recently in the past few decades, kiln brunt bricks are used in place of un-burnt mud
bricks, laid in mud mortar as well as cement mortar. The flat roofs made with mud
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and timber is replaced with GI sheets, which are sometimes preferred for their
durability but were otherwise disliked for the uncomfortable interior environment
under extreme climates. With the passage of time these roofs with GI sheets have
been further replaced by RCC flat slab roofs especially around the plain areas of
Roorkee and Haridwar.
System 1 System 2 System 3 System 4
The basic factors which guide the local architecture of this zone are: a) easy access
to building quality stone b) limited availability of good quality top soil, c) varying
availability of timber and of water, d) moderate precipitation with no snow in winters.
The Coursed Random Rubble (RR) masonry is used commonly for load bearing
walls. The walls are usually built without mud plaster due to limited availability of the
soil suitable as mortar and plaster.
The flat roof can be seen in this region usually along the western boundary of the
state around Himachal Pradesh, as there is relatively less precipitation. In other areas
of the state, where pathal is easily available Pitched Pathal roofs (stone on timber) are
used. This option is preferred over flat roof in the areas eastwards from the Himachal
Pradesh border of Uttarakhand, due to marginal increase in the precipitation.
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Mud on CGI, RC
Roofing wood Pathal RC slab slab
In the past few decades, due to the increasing prices of timber and easy availability of
modern building materials like cement, CGI sheets and steel, RCC roofs over stone
walls are preferred. People with more resources prefer load bearing walls with bricks
and cement mortar and RCC slab roofs.
The basic factors which guide the local architecture of this zone are: a) easy access to
building quality stone b) limited availability of good quality top soil, c) varying
availability of timber and of water, d) extreme cold and snow in winter, e) increased
seismic activity. Coursed/ Uncoursed Random Rubble masonry is most commonly
used with or without mud mortar due to varying availability of water. Though, mud or
cement plastering on the walls can be seen. Mostly two-way or four-way Pitched
Pathal roof is constructed with a timber under-structure. The roof covering used is
either slate/ tile/ pathal in varying thicknesses from 10 mm to 50 mm.
System 1 System 2
In the past few years, due to the increasing cost of timber, CGI sheets are used for
roofing as they are easy to install and are durable, but they are climatically disliked
especially in cold winters. Flat RCC roof are also constructed in some places as it
gives more flat work space in the hilly terrain.
CSIR- CBRI has designed and constructed a prototype affordable housing unit,
designed for the hilly areas and the plains of the Uttarakhand state of India. The
design has evolved as a result of in-depth research on the available case studies for
vernacular houses and low cost construction technologies. The identification and
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analysis of the appropriate technological options for affordable and disaster resistant,
durable rural houses, suitable for the region was carried out to build the prototype.
1.5 Design
The protype house is a two storey building with a plinth area of 24 sqm at plinth level
and 30 sqm as the total area covered area. The design is for a family of 5 members
based on the living habits, safety, comfort, space, function, energy efficiency and
socio- economic requirements of the people of Uttarakhand. The entrance is provided
from the middle of the house, segregating the living and the utility spaces. There are
two multi-purpose living rooms on each floor. A large storage-cum-study or sleeping
space for two is provided in the attic at the first floor approachable through a flight of
stairs within the house. Since the flat slab RCC roof is preferred in the region, the
design is also constrained by the type of roofing system. The spaces are well lit and
ventilated through the appropriate positioning of the openings; this not only reduces
the cost of operation by minimising the use of artificial light and fans in the day time
but also provides a healthy environment.
1.6 Construction
The house is constructed using innovative new technologies and materials developed
by CSIR-CBRI, which aim to provide durable and cost efficient options. The region
specific requirements of the available materials and resources are considered for the
construction of the proposed house. The construction system is divided into
foundation, walling and roofing.
1.6.1 Foundation
The foundation is laid by stone masonry blocks with corner reinforcements. This
technology is developed by CSIR-CBRI, and is used where building quality stone and
aggregate is easily available at cheaper rates. The irregular shaped stones are laid in
steel moulds, over these stones; concrete is poured and compacted by using plate
vibrators. Mass production of the stone/concrete blocks is possible in parallel stacks.
After setting of the concrete a good exterior texture of the blocks is achieved.
There are various systems that can be used for walling as a cost effective, easily
available and durable solution. The alternatives that can be used for the walling
system are a) Stone Concrete Blocks, b) Solid Concrete Blocks, c) Burnt Clay Bricks
in English & Rat
34
– trap Bond and d) Improved Random Rubble masonry. The solid concrete blocks are
made with machines for mass production. A number of machines are available for
making these blocks. It is a very popular walling technology and the blocks are now
being produced by various Building Centers and private entrepreneurs. The solid
concrete blocks are made with concrete using graded aggregate of sizes varying from
10mm to 40mm by manual process or by using an egg laying type machine. The
machine is used for higher productivity, strength and finish. It can cast six blocks of
30x20x15 cm size in single operation with an output of 120 - 150blocks/hr.
Various options for roofing are available for the house. The following partially precast
systems have been adopted in the proto type: a) Precast Brick Panel & RC Joists, b)
Precast RC Planks & Joists and c) CGI Sheets. The precast brick panel & RC joist
system is ideal for providing durable and economical roofing / flooring in the low cost
houses where bricks are available locally otherwise RC Plank and Joist system can be
adopted. This consists of partially precast RCC joists (13cmx10cm), supporting the
prefabricated brick panels of size 53cmx120cm, having 6mm dia. ms bars
(2Nos.) in each panel and is covered with 35mm thick cement concrete. By these
systems the use of shuttering is eliminated. . The 6mm diameter bars on each panel
both-ways are provided over the panels before laying cement-concrete. This system
offers saving of 25-30 percent against 115 mm thick RCC roof slab.
The Precast RC Planks & Joists system is used where the components are produced
on casting platform at construction site. The size of precast RC plank is 30cm wide,
6cm thick, up to 150 cm long; precast RC joists 15 cm x 15cm and up to 3.6 m long.
As soon as the walls reach the floor/roof level, the precast components are placed,
and partly filled with concrete to form the floor\ roof. This results in 20% saving in
overall cost, 25% in cement and 10% in steel as compared to conventional R.C. slab
floor/roof.
Alternatively, the CGI sheets can also be opted for the roofing system. Though this is
a cheaper option and is also durable but is not climatically acceptable by many
people. In extreme cold or hot conditions an insulating layer of thermocole sheets or
thatch panels can be provided under the CGI sheets.
35
renewable sources of energy.
36
2.3.2 Jammu and Kashmir
1) Climate :
The climate of the state differs from region to region on account of great
variations in altitude.
In the outer hilly region of the Jammu province, climate has three main seasons :
i) hot weather from April to June, ii) a rainy season from July to September iii)
cold weather from October to March.
In summers, the outer plains and the outer hills receive rainfall from monsoon
winds while in winters, winds from Mediterranean cause snowfall and rainfall in
the valley of Kashmir.
Winters are cold and of long duration and with increasing altitude..
Kashmir Province – rise in the temperature upto and end of May. In October it
becomes cold and by January cold becomes intense with the snowfall.
The distinctive features of Kashmir‘s climate is the absence of monsoon rain,
because the monsoons cannot cross the mountains enclosing Kashmir on the
South.
Highest temperature – 37 Degree Celsius
Lowest – 14 Degree Celsius
1) Climate :
The weather of Ladakh remains chilly and cold for most time of the year.
Ladakh's climate is a little extreme - the summers can get a little harsh with
direct sunlight falling at such a high altitude.
Winters can be really cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing point.
2) Culture :
37
2.4 Construction Techniques
The regions, comprising the Kullu valley, Satluj valley and the Ravi valley
.An indigenous style of construction, in which the walls are made with alternate
courses of dry stone masonry and timber without any cementing mortar.
38
Ravi valley, the walls of the traditional houses are built mostly with the dried
masonry, without using any alternate layers of timber.
These walls are plastered with mud both from inside and the outside.
Mud - Easy availability, Good insulation and the Good binding properties.
Construction materials: roughly dressed stones, sun baked mud bricks and clay
Construction methodology:
The rough surfaces of the wall are made smooth with finishing coat of mud
plaster (a special variety of mud clay known as Markula).This clay has water
resistant quality.
2.4.3 Thathara
39
Foundation: Max. 30cm in the ground. Large and heavy stone slabs are well
packed together in the foundation. The process is repeated until the fill reaches a
few cm above surrounding ground level.
Construction style:
Grid is made with wooden pillars known as Thatharas .
The gap between Thatharas is filled either with stones, dhajji wall or wooden
planks.
In case of wooden planks the whole arrangement is known as ‗Farque style‘.
Durability/ maintenance: Certain buildings have survived the effects of weather and
earthquakes for ages and still stand today.
40
Figure 14 - Dhajji wall pattern
41
In addition, the walls are lightweight and hence have less mass and less lateral
seismic loads. Thus this type of wall is able to withstand ground settlement and
major earthquakes without suffering much damage.
The Taaq type of construction has a large number of windows (―Taaq‖ means
window), one in each gap between the piers. The roofs are two- and four-sided
pitched.
(Sharma N. )
Sl
Features Details Images
No.
1 Dhajji wall Dhajji walling system is commonly
(Chapter 2- seen in old houses of Kashmir.
Rural It consists of a timber frame, placed in
architecture of a diagonal manner, with infill of either
Kashmir,n.d.), baked brick in cement mortar or
(Jain and Singh, unbaked brick in mud mortar. Dhajji wall with brick infill
2007). This wall is lightweight and can
withstand major earthquakes, causing
minimal damage.
42
(Chapter 2- of thick brick masonry piers
Taq house in
Rural supporting wooden floor.
Kashmir
architecture of The gap created between the piers
Kashmir,n.d.) consists of a window or brick masonry.
This building technique is also
resistant to earthquakes.
3 Trombe walls Trombe wall is a wall made out of
(ICAEN, 2004) concrete, masonry or adobe, with vents
or openings placed at the top and
bottom, lying in winter sun side of the
building.
Also, consists of a glass panel fixed
towards the outer surface of the wall,
leaving an air gap in the middle.
The exterior surface of the wall is
painted black to absorb maximum
solar heat.
The air in the gap gets heated up and Process by which air heats up
enters the living spaces through the through convection in a trombe
vents by the principle of convection. wall
At night, the heat stored during the
day keeps the inside warm.
This passive solar building technique
is found in most parts of Ladakh.
4 Kath-kuni This construction technique exists in
construction Himachal Pradesh.
(Shah, n.d.), It’s a 2 to 3 storey house where the
(Jain and Singh, ground floor is for the cattle so that;
2007). this brings warmth to the above floors.
The above floors consists the living,
storage and kitchen spaces.
The wall consists of an alternate course
of dry stone masonry and wood
Sl
Features Details Images
No.
43
without any cement mortar. Two
wooden beams are placed with a fine
gap in between, which is in filled with
stones. This traps some amount of air
which provides good insulation.
The heavy wall keeps the house cool in
summer and warm in winter.
Semi-open cantilevered wooden
balconies are constructed on the top Kath-kuni wall house and
floors, to capture as much as warmth construction
from outside.
This construction technique responds
well with earthquakes, requires low
maintenance and materials can be
reused
44
8 Planning Compact planning system is adopted
(Kumar and in most buildings.
Ashwani, 2014), Floor to ceiling height is comparatively
(Jain and Singh, lesser, maintained around 8 to 9ft, to
2007), (Singh, keep the interiors warm.
Kumar, Small openings are provided which
Mahapatra, and brings daylight, allows ventilation and
No openings are providede
Atreya, 2011). responds well in seismiczone.
Sloped roofs are mostly adopted in regions ground floor so that the cold air
susceptible to rainfall and snow for proper drainage. doesn’t enter
The air between the roof and the attic space behaves
as a good thermal
insulator.
Sl
Features Details Images
No.
9 MATERIALS
a Rammed earth Earth mixture of sand, gravel and clay
(ICAEN, 2004) is compacted to create a solid wall
known as rammed earth wall.
Sustainable and natural building
method.
Resistant to earthquakes.
It has good thermal properties and is
resistant to fire. Rammed earth construction seen
It is more suitable for extreme n Leh
conditions as it can stabilize the indoor
temperature. Hence, there is no need
of conventional method of cooling or
heating, thus saves energy.
45
Kashmir, n.d.), strong and durable. Wooden house in Himachal region
(Jain and Singh, Resistant to termites and insects.
2007). Wood is commonly used in cold
climate, so that it keeps the building
warm.
It is resistant to moisture and is a poor
conductor of heat.
(TERI, 2014)
46
Though cutting of trees for obtaining timber will result in loss of precious
vegetation, it needs to be suitably augmented by plantation of new tress in hilly
areas.
In contrast to this, contemporary materials are manufactured from raw materials,
which are available on particular locations and are transported to different parts
of the country after manufacturing.
These materials have high embodied energy and cause lot of pollution during
manufacturing and transportation, mostly inappropriate to the context of hill
settlements.
Adoption of locally available building materials with new construction
technologies will result in better climatic responsiveness, lower consumption of
energy and reduction in environmental degradation.
47
environmental degradation caused by illegal dumping of debris produced after
cutting of slopes into valley or low lying areas near water sources.
48
2.6 Green building materials for hilly regions
2.6.1 Introduction
Time and money are important elements for builders and developers. For the
purpose of fast and sustainable buildings such as residential buildings, resorts,
cottages, farm houses, industrial buildings, resorts, power projects tremendous
demand of ecological friendly or green buildings which need to be kept in strict
schedules, smart time and environment, building material to save. The pace of
Indian construction industry is fast new technologies are in the old place and
buildings like brickwork and mortar have been kept.
Construction in mountain areas is more difficult the plains. Due to difficult terrain,
it is difficult to execute the construction work of contractors from various types of
rock and soil level.
Steel Construction
Steel buildings should be preferred for quality, cost efficiency and
construction in mountainous areas. The light weight steel buildings are
easily embedded in the fact that they computer-based designed and
computer-controlled manufactured.
49
This is cost effective alternative to conventional brick-mortar and its
preferred position over customary structure as far as quality, cost,
supportability and speed.
Electrical and plumbing ideas are essentially included within the framework
of cladding. Reduced wastage, low logistical costs and less time of
construction can offer cost savings of 15% or more, than conventional
building. There are many advantages over traditional brick and wood
formatting of steel making
Wood-Boards
Sustainable boards are fire resistant, weather resistant, termite safe, sound
protected, dimensionally steady, smooth surface, wood usefulness, synthetically
steady.
They can be utilized for fixed furnishings and closets, bogus roofs, cover,
kitchens, deck, segments and work stations.
Sandwich Panels
These panels have all the advantage of masonry wall, but there are pure dry
fixing system that provides the position of a clean and safe working site due to
50
its light weight, strength, durability, water and termite proof, thermal insulation
and ire resistance facilities.
The efficiency of the False ceilings, Wall paneling, Mezzanine flooring, Structural
glazing back lining and Wall partitions products is truly possible.
Gypsum plasterboard
Gypsum plasterboards and uncommon board are the last covering answer for the
present structures, giving elevated levels of execution in the event of fire rating,
acoustic and warm protection, and dampness protection from make current
interior conditions that offer solace and wellbeing for living arrangement.
They give better tasteful motivational arrangements than dividers, roofs, lift
shafts, flights of stairs and halls in structures as differing as private, schools,
emergency clinics, workplaces, films and inns.Typically, there is 100% water
conservation during the construction process compared to any masonry process.
51
3. CASE STUDY
Bhimakali temple is the best example of tower style Tem- ple situated/ constructed
with wood and stone in Hima- layas. The temple complex at Sarahan is set against the
incredibly beautiful backdrop of high ranges and forested slopes. Bheemakali Temple
complex was constructed by the Bushahr dynasty, who ruled from Sarahan before
inde- pendence. The new palaces of the royal family are situated adjacent to the
temple. The temple is approximately 800 years old, is dedicated to this great female
power that was called Bhimakali and is one of the representatives of 51 Shakti Peeths
[2]. The temple has influence of Hindu and Chinese architectural style. It has slanted
slate roofs, gold- en towers, pagoda/(s) and carved silver doors.
Site Planning
The sacred temple complex measures approximately one acre. Site chosen for the
temple is sloping and has a to- tal slope gradient of about 9 meters. Whole of the
temple complex is constructed as a series of courtyard encircled/ enclosed by
buildings. This complex is design as a com- bination of 4 courtyard constructed at
different levels (fig
52
1 &2). The highest/ topmost courtyard has two temples, temples of goddess Durga and
Kali which are famous or known for their unique architectural style. Second court- yard
has Raghunath temple and other buildings. King‘s palace is situated in the third
courtyard. Fourth and low- ermost courtyard which is constructed subsequently have
Nar Singh temple (which is constructed with stone having Shikhara on top with wooden
sloping roof) canteen and guest house for the pilgrims. Supporting buildings and
residential accommodation for support staff was provided on the periphery of the
temple. These different levelled courtyards are accessed by highly decorated and
richly carved gates having series of steps in front.
Building Design
Main temples are designed as the amalgamation of In- dian and Chinese
architectural style, with Buddhist and Hindu influences and bronze statues of both
religions in the shrines (fig 3,4). Buildings are rectangular in the plan having thick
walls constructed in kath-kunni style. A narrow stone staircase is provided to access
the upper floors. At the fourth floor level, floor is protruded out of the lower floor on
wooden brackets/ cantilevers. At this level the outer walls are made up of cidar/
deodar wood which has nice and intricate carving. To reach the uppermost level (fifth
floor) which houses the state of goddess Bhimakali a wooden staircase is
provided. The uppermost/fifth floor is further project more over the floor below.
Slanting roof constructed with timber and covered with locally available slates is
provided.
53
The second temple has only one projected floor at upper level. This temple is devoted
to goddess Durga. Lower floors of the temple have walls constructed with wood and
stone whereas, upper floor has intricate woodwork on the exterior facade.
The Nar Singh temple present in the complex is an exam- ple of Shikhara style temple.
This style is modified by pro- viding sloping roof around the temple for parikarma.
King‘s palace in the complex is a linear building which has access from third courtyard
(fig 6). Projected balconies on upper floors are provided to have panoramic view of the
valley. These balconies are supported on wooden beams pro- truded out of the stone
or kath-kunni walls. Highly carved arches are used in the balconies as an integrating
element in order to exhibits an architectural masterpiece.
Building Form
54
Temple complex has a variety of building forms. The two main temples constructed in
uppermost courtyard are the finest example of tower style temples and
combination of Indo- Chinese architecture. The building form is rather simple but
elegant. It is a combination of slanting pagoda roof over a cubical base. This cubical
base has five storeys. Upper storey of the temple is projecting over the lower stories.
The verticality of lower stories is broken by series of coursed of wood and stones. On
the upper stories richly carved windows/ openings are provided in woodwork ex-
presses the skill and accuracy of the craftsmen of the re- gion wooden sculptures are
used on brackets to support projected upper floors.
Method of Construction
The walls of the buildings presented in the complex are constructed in kath-kunni
style (fig 7). It is an indigenous style of construction which is evolved in western
Himala- yas. In ‗Kath-kuni‘ or ‗Kath-kundi‘ style a mesh of interlock- ing horizontal
cedar (locally deodar) sleepers/ logs is creat- ed. In this mesh dressed or raw stone
are packed without any mortar. Absence of vertical members for wall construc- tion is
a characteristic of this style. With inherent elasticity, the design has an enormous
seismic response. There have been instances, when tremors have dislodged the
stones from the frame, and later, have been hammered back into the intact mesh of
wood houses.
55
Fig : Part of wall constructed in Kath-kunni Style
The upper floors of the temples which are projected over the lower floors have
exterior walls made of carved wood. Sloping pagoda shaped roofs are covered with
locally available slates. These slates are fixed on deodar wood trusses. Roofs in this
complex have a distinct character and forms a very interesting skyline.
Materials Used
Whole of the complex is constructed with the use of mainly indigenous/ locally
available materials. Locally avail- able sand stone and deodar/cidar wood are the two
main building materials which are used in the complex for wall construction. Natural
slates are quarried from nearby slate mines and used as main roofing material over the
wooden roof trusses.
Carvings/ Details
Whole of the temple complex have rich carvings in wood work and silver work
Door frame is thick in size and have detailed carvings in wood or in silver. Shutters
are thicker in size and majorly idols of different gods and goddesses are carved
on them. Staircase balusters, balco- ny railing, brackets to support upper floors,
wall panelling are made of wood and having very interesting floral and decorative
patterns carving. Bronze kalsha is provided on the roof top of every temple. The
56
most interesting deco- rative feature in the main temples is wooden wind chime
which moves to and fro / oscillates while wind flows.
Fig 10: carved wooden arched doorway Fig 11: carved wooden railing in balcony
Conclusion
57
58
3.2 Residence, Mussoorie
59
60
61
3.3 Bijola Residence, Dunda, Uttarkashi
62
63
3.4 Babu Dorje House, Leh
Approach: - The main approach is uphill from the west stupa gate via southern
end of the Chutazzranthali Street.
Date / Age: - Early 1900’s, estimated at 1929. Type: - Residential,
unprotected and private owner.
Historical Significance: - The house was built for Babu Dorje and his family. Mr.
Dorje was the engineer behind the construction of the airport of Leh in 1948.
Physical/Architectural Description:
The building is a well-planned structure built by Mr. Dorji himself. The plan is staggered
and is implemented on ground and two upper levels. The rooms on the left were
originally shops. The walls are made of sundried mud bricks. All the structural supports
area wooden members. The roof and terrace are plastered with mud. The ground floor
was used chiefly for storage and shops while the upper levels were habitable spaces.
Decorative Features:
The red wood façade originally covered shops counters. Ornamental columns and
beams adorned this part of the house. The lintels locally called ―Tsingzak‖ are present
throughout the structure, especially noticeable on the windows series on the southern
façade.
64
Fig. 9: Section of Dorje House having Three Floors
Conditional Description:
The original red wooden façade is retained through the support structure which
has been deteriorated. Multiple columns and beams are broken and shutters are
missing. Bricks are damaged on the northern corner and western wall. The roof
slab has sagged.
Some of the ground floor rooms are occupied by workers. The northern portion is
uninhabited and is dumped with unwanted objects and moreover the wooden
members in the structure are damaged and cannot be reused.
A central staircase leads to the first floor where almost all the rooms are
occupied. Several columns and girders are damaged and the walls are cracked
at many places due to weathering and settling.
The wooden staircase leading to the second floor has also deformed. Structural
supports are damaged and major cracks were identified in the stairwell walls
also.
The second floor housed four rooms that are occupied. The exterior walls lack
plaster in many areas and several window panels are damaged or missing.
Due to dry weather conditions, no vegetation was identified in the foundation.
However, some roof seepage were also the part of structure.
Lack of maintenance can be seen through the building.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
Pertaining to the construction techniques, it is very vital and beneficial to study the
vernacular architectural tradition of Ladakh as these present an exact picture of how
local folks have been able to counter the inclemency of weather through architecture.
In Ladakh region, most of the houses are built at two levels. The ground level is
reserved for animals, wood and fodder storage for winters whereas the upper level has
the habitable spaces. In most houses, there is a single large room with an oven in the
corner which is used for cooling as well as heating the interior spaces. The houses are
made entirely of mud, sometimes reinforced with horizontally placed timber members.
65
The walls are either made of sun dried bricks or rammed earth. Initially, the walls are
mud plaster while flooring is either in mud or wood. The ceiling height is low to provide
the required insulation in all the areas. Every possible care is taken to trap the heat
and maintain the temperature inside for a conductive living. Thus, the houses in
Ladakh are essentially utilitarian. The description of some of the materials used in the
region are:-
Mud Brick
Mud bricks are composite chiefly of clay, silt and sand. Due to high sand contents, the
surface water absorption of the brick reduces. Presence of clay and silt helps to bind
the brick.
Foundations
Earth easily absorbs water which lowers its load bearing capacity. Thus lime is used
as a binding material in foundation to provide its strength.
66
Walls
Walls are built upon foundations raising above the ground level. The top of the
foundation should not be wider than the bottom of the wall to avoid any structural
damage in case of earthquakes. Walls are generally thick at the bottom and taper
gradually as they rise.
Roof Details
As Ladakh sustains in cold and dry climatic conditions, the ceiling is mainly built in mud
and wood due to their insulating properties and easy availability.
Mud Plaster
Mud plaster is applied wet 15-25 mm thick. Most mud plasters have to be repaired
annually when used externally but adhere well to earth walls.
67
The outer walls are insulated by a jacket wall outside the main structural wall. The six
inch gap between the two walls is filled with low cost insulation: saw dust, wood
shavings or sometimes paper and plastic garbage like bottles and bags. Sometimes we
have also used cow dung as an insulating plaster. Mixed with the right amount of earth
and clay, it makes a strong and thermally effective plaster.
Fig. 5: Wood waste filled in Ceiling for Insulation Sometimes the top layer of the floor is
slates from nearby mountains. This reduces the use of cement, and the slates also
become a thermal mass or heat bank as they are now cut off thermally from the cold
ground. This kind of floor absorbs the excess heat during the day and releases it
during the night. Otherwise floors can be an area of big heat loss.
68
Fig. 6: Flooring Design on Rammed Earth
The walls are built of rammed earth, a most eco- friendly method as the building
material comes right from the site and is not transported hundreds of miles, and when
construction is finished, there is no debris to be thrown away: no addition, no
subtraction. Earth buildings are the warmest in winter and coolest in summer, and also
moderate the humidity of the building.
The technique of rammed earth consists of casting huge bricks in place, in a frame
made of planks. Sand and clay are mixed in the right amounts to get a very strong
constitution. It is then packed in the frames and rammed with pounders.
The thick earth walls are not just structural (to take load) but also have an essential
function as the heat bank (thermal mass). They absorb the excess solar heat during
the day and release it to the room at night. The same properties also keep rammed
earth buildings cool in summer. Rammed earth is an ancient technique used in
monasteries, castles and forts around Ladakh. These structures have survived,
unprotected and exposed to the elements, for hundreds of years.
69
Fig. 7: Ground floor plan of Dorje House
CONCLUSION
The buildings in Ladakh that recollect the aesthetics, historical and cultural values and
proper architecture are declared as ―Heritage Buildings‖. In Ladakh city, there are in-
numeral heritage buildings which are not known to public and are deteriorating day by
day as it is shown in the case study. All these buildings are required to be conserved
and retained keeping their architectural values and a strong history behind.
70
3.5 Hotel Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
Broadly, Himachal e xperiences three seasons: summer, winter, and rainy season.
Summer lasts from mid-April t ill the end of June and most parts become very hot
with the average temperature ranging from 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F). Winter lasts
from late November till mid March. Snowfall is common in alpine tracts. Dalhousie
is a hill station in Chamba district, in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh,
India. It is situated on 5 hills and has an elevation of 1,970 metres above sea level.
It is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Dalhousie is situated between 6,000 and
9,000 feet (2,700 m) above sea level. The best time to visit Dalhousie is in the
summer, and the peak tourist season is from May to September. Scottish and
Victorian architecture are prevalent in the bungalows and churches in the town.
Dalhousie is a beautiful tourist spot and therefore plays an important role in the
economy of the state. The major industry is tourism there are just over 600 hotels,
which provide temporary jobs to about 5,000 to 8,000 individuals every year. Hotel
Dalhousie is one of the old hotels in the city, situated 2km from the main bus stop
and on the main centre of the city Gandhi chawk near the main city market mall
road. The hotel is built considering the traditions and vernacular architecture of
Himachal Pradesh. The hotel has the step settlement and has a compact admin
area. The hotel has its own food and cafe facilities and has the rooms in rows.
Beautiful wooden flooring used in the rooms. Dormers provided. The roofs have all
modern facilities with the traditional look.
71
Approach to the building structure:
Buildings in hilly regions are the major challenge for architects. Buildings such
as houses, small shops, temples, etc, can be easily constructed as compared to
large scale buildings such as hotels acquiring the population of tourists.
Therefore building and the construction has to be structurally strong enough to
resist the topography and frequent seismic tremors and also bare the load of the
building and as well as the building should be aesthetically attractive for tourists.
According to the topography and requirement of the building, design and
planning plays a major role. Hotel Dalhousie is very smartly designed
considering the design parameters. Some of the design approaches to be taken
care of our settlement patterns, materials used in various spaces, open
interactive spaces, sloping roofs, interior designs (rooms), retaining wall, etc.
72
Materials: Materials used in the building were stone, slate, wood;
plaster work. Stone was used for the construction of walls. Slate for the
roof and dormers. Wood was used in the flooring, room separations,
doors and window framing
Roofs: Roofs are the major part of the building Beautiful sloping roofs.
Slate pieces for strength. To protect the building from heavy rains and
snowfall slates were projected out.
Dormer:
Dormer as a component was used above the windows as a shading device.
Dormer functions to resist the direct sunlight inside the rooms, protects from the
73
rains and snowfalls. It plays an important role in the construction of buildings in
rainy and snowy regions.
Construction Techniques
As Himachal Pradesh has different climatology and topography, therefore, the
construction in such areas, according to their climatic and geographic conditions,
are different from general construction techniques used in other states. For the
human comfort, buildings were designed using locally available materials and
construction technology according to the climate and topography of the land. In
the upper hills of Himachal Pradesh a vernacular building technique of
construction called Kath-Khuni is practiced which provides buildings an effective
mechanis m to resist the seismic tremors which occurs frequently. Kath-Khuni is
the construction technique which makes the buildings on hills strong and can
easily be constructed by the local people. Construction techniques in hilly areas
have to be used with a great care as there are many chances of natural hazards.
Kath- khuni was in knowledge of the local people from many years ago and was
74
practiced locally from years. The technique is best suited for the topography and
climate of the region. From small houses to the hotels the construction technique
of the buildings in Himachal Pradesh is same i.e., kath-khuni. The wet regions of
Himachal Pradesh are rich in the natural resources of forest and water. Natural
hazards are the main and serious problem of the region such as cloudbursts,
flash floods, landslides, and earthquakes. As the region has rich traditional ways
and also have the impact of climate and complicated topography the local
people and the architecture of the region follows a vernacular traditions and
techniques. The architecture in Himachal Pradesh is based on some locally
available materials such as timber, soil, stone, and slate. But as the urbanization
is rapidly increasing, high density of construction work is done with RCC frames
and burnt brick masonry, and as a result there is a huge loss of old traditions and
traditional construction practices. But still much construction work is practiced
according to the vernacular techniques. Kath-Khuni architecture has the
characteristics to be seismically sound, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable. If
we talk about the materials which were observed or studied and are used in this
technique are:
Stone: Stone is one of the most important locally available materials for
the construction as the granite stones are widely found in Himachal
which are used for various purposes such as for the fin ished work on e
xterna l facades of the buildings, and loose filler material used between
wooden wall frameworks. Stone is used for the bonds between the
blocks because of its ability to absorb heat. It is widely used for the
construction of Kath-Khuni architecture as it resists the impact of
earthquake and landslide tremors.
75
Construction technique for roofs:
Slates are the major vernacular locally available material which is used for the
construction of roofs in Himachal regions. As slates are the small units of a
defined shape and are systematically arranged.
The units are typically and simply placed in rows on the roofs by overlap
between them for the proper bond.
Another alternative is to drive the nails to the wooden frame underneath
to fasten them.
Because of the dead weight of the slate it keep in the place
itself. Slate is the sunlight reflective material, is frost resistant, heat
absorbent and moisture barrier as it is containing high quartz content.
Different materials have their different roles in the construction such as-
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References
Ar. Abhimanyu Sharma, A. S. (2016). Vernacular Architecture in Cold & Dry Climate:
Ladakh - A Case Study.
Prathaa, Kathkuni Style of Architecture, Bharat Daave, Jay Thakker, CEPT University
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Traditional and Vernacular buildings are Ecological Sensitive, Climate Responsive
Designs- Study of Himachal Pradesh By Sandeep Sharma and Puneet Sharma
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