Vernacular Architecture

VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE OF
HIMACHAL
PRADESH
-ARPITHA .S
-2BV10at006
General information about the place
▪ Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India.
▪ It is spread over 21,495 sq meters and is bordered by Jammu
and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-
west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on
the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east.
▪ Himachal Pradesh is known to be abundant in natural beauty .
▪ Hindus make up 95% of the state population, making it the
most Hindu state (proportionally), in India . It is least
urbanized state in India with nearly 90% of population living
in rural area .
▪ The history of the area that now constitutes Himachal Pradesh
dates back to the time when the Indus valley
civilisation flourished between 2250 and 1750 BCE. Tribes
such as the Koilis, Halis, Dagis, Dhaugris, Dasa, Khasas,
Kinnars and Kirats inhabited the region from pre-historic era.
Geography , climate
 Himachal is situated in the western Himalayas . It is a mountainous state with elevation ranging from
about 350 metres to 7,000 metres above the sea level .
There is great variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal due to extreme variation in elevation. The
climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern tracts to cold, alpine and glacial in the
northern and eastern mountain ranges with more elevation .
Broadly Himachal experience three seasons; hot weather season, cold weather season and rainy season.
Summer lasts from mid April till the end of June and most parts become very hot with the average
temperature ranging from 28 °C to 32 °C .Winter lasts from late November till mid March. Snowfall is
common in alpine tracts .
Flora and fauna
Himachal has great variety of flora and fauna which differs with elevation
•Lowest elevation - tropical and subtropical dry and moist forests

•Haryana and U.P border – thorn shrubs and deciduous forests
•Rising into the hills – western Himalayan broadleaf forests and subtropical pine forests .
This forests contain various deciduous and evergreen oaks , spruce , deodar blue pine and
chir pines .
•Uppermost elevations – alpine shrubs , alders , birches etc …
Many flowers like tulips , marigolds , lilies , carnations , roses are also abundantly found
Himachal Pradesh is a well known habitat to a variety of animals. There are around 1200
bird and 359 animal species in the state. This includes Leopard , Snow leopard , musk
deer etc…
State of Himachal Pradesh has a treasure of traditional architecture. This traditional
architecture has stood the test of time.
This art and architecture have mostly grown out of age-old cultural heritage and numerous
religious beliefs .
The ancient art and architecture of Himachal Pradesh have survived in the form of metal
sculpture, wood carvings, stone carvings, paintings, traditional residential settlements and
temple architecture .
Layout planning is complicated due to constraints of hilly terrain for construction of buildings
and roads beyond certain degree of slope. It is further complicated due to the following:
-Difficulty of getting suitable orientation on the hill slopes.
-Problems of soil erosion and land slides.
-Existence of tall shoddy trees and dense forest area, which obstruct the winter sun required for the buildings.
-Limitations on the height of the building due to earthquake risk.
-High cost involved in the site development due to the cutting and the filling process.
-Non-availability and transportation problems of construction materials
Culture
Himachal was one of the few states that had remained largely
untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult
terrain.
Himachal Pradesh is a multi-religional , multicultural as well

as multilingual state like other Indian states. Some of the most
commonly spoken languages
includes Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, Dogri,Mandeali, Kangri
and Kinnauri .
There are also tribal population in the state which mainly

comprise Gaddis, Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.
Himachal is well known for its handicrafts. The
carpets, leather works, shawls, paintings, metal ware,
woodwork and paintings are worth appreciating.
Local music and dance reflects the cultural identity

of the state. Through their dance and music, they
entreat their gods during local festivals and other
special occasions.
Apart from the fairs and festivals that are celebrated

all over India, there are number of other fairs and
festivals, including the temple fairs in nearly every
region that are of great significance to Himachal
Pradesh.
KATH KHUNI HOUSES
House is a space inhabited by people and their stories .
Each vernacular house in himachal has got its own character

.
Houses are usually cubical units staggered above or next to

each other .
Smallest houses are single cuboids stacked in 2 or 3 layers .
Each house is built according to the family capacity and its

socio-economic status.
In each level of the house and in each season , spaces are used
in a pattern that makes the village a cohesive unit .
Balconies are entirely built of wood and is an integral part

of each settlement .
PLANNING
Features
Kath khuni is a indigenous wood and stone construction technique employed by all
types of vernacular built forms which can be seen in Sutlej valley of himachal .
Both practical and aesthetically pleasing
Uses local materials in a systematic process of layering.
Walls are made of deodar (a mountainous cedar wood) and limestone with rubble
acting as insulation . plinth is entirely constructed of stone .
Slate shingles which rest on these wooden framework complete and cap the building
as the roof tiles .
They are fixed to wooden framework using metal nails . These shingles protect the
structure from rain , snow .
One peculiar feature is projecting carved stone in one or more corners . studies say
that it can be either for a structural purpose or might have some cultural significance
too .
Section showing construction details
of a typical kath khuni house
In warm sunny days most of the works are carried
out outside in balconies corridors etc whereas in cold
winters activities are performed within the warmth
of the wood and stone walls.
There are transitional spaces which are connecting

links between interior personal rooms and shared
spaces . These spaces include plinth at ground floor
and balconies at upper floors and also vertical
connections like stairs and steps
The plinth at the ground floor extends from the

structure to the tip of the overhangs . The case is
same even for balconies . The plinth extension is
found only on 3 sides and the rear side facing
mountain has stone layering in order to prevent the
sliding of rock and rubble into the house .
In the harsh mountainous terrain , cator and cribbage construction is quick and efficient .
The construction does not require skilled carpenters , stonemasons or any specialized tools .
The method adopted is energy efficient , low cost and climate responsive too .
The rubble masonry between wooden planks act as insulation and keeps the interiors warm in cold
winter days and cool in summers .

Kitchens have inbuilt furniture and places for storage .
Attic spaces are also found in all the houses as storage of grains has to be considered compulsorily .
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(Right)Wooden work which can be seen in door and window
frames usually .
Local artists working with wood (left top and bottom)
Granaries
In Himachal Pradesh , the importance of food grain storage and agricultural products are given great
importance. Food in this region can be considered to be precious commodity due to extreme climate . So
building of granaries is also given great importance .
Granaries are of 2 types

-free standing granaries
-granaries inbuilt within houses
Size and scale of granaries directly correlate to the volume of content stored .
Granaries are mostly associated with temples in the region .
They are usually composed of cuboids either single or multi storied with balconies on all the 4 sides which
act as an interactive space for the people working there .
They are usually covered with gable roof .
Walls have small openings for cultivating bees .

Plan and section of a typical granary
Wooden and wood and stone temples
Being a state with maximum Hindu population , Himachal has its own unique
style of temple architecture .
There are many types like rock hewn ancient temples , kath-khuni temples
, folk temples in granary clusters etc…
Temples in Himachal are combination of works of greatest craftsmen and

artists as well as sincere efforts of ordinary local people .
The construction technique is very similar to the kath-khuni houses with

stones used in foundations and roofs in the form of stone shingles .
Entrance doors , pillars , entablatures are very finely decorated with wooden
carved panels by the local craftsmen. Various festivals , rituals , local animals
and plant motifs are depicted using carvings.
Wooden carvings in
temples .
Thank you…

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VERNACULAR

•Lowest elevation - tropical and subtropical dry and moist forests

Himachal Pradesh is a multi-religional , multicultural as well

There are also tribal population in the state which mainly

Local music and dance reflects the cultural identity

Apart from the fairs and festivals that are celebrated

Each vernacular house in himachal has got its own character

Houses are usually cubical units staggered above or next to

Smallest houses are single cuboids stacked in 2 or 3 layers .

Each house is built according to the family capacity and its

Balconies are entirely built of wood and is an integral part

Both practical and aesthetically pleasing

Uses local materials in a systematic process of layering.

There are transitional spaces which are connecting

The plinth at the ground floor extends from the

Granaries are of 2 types

Granaries are mostly associated with temples in the region .

They are usually covered with gable roof .

Walls have small openings for cultivating bees .

Temples in Himachal are combination of works of greatest craftsmen and

The construction technique is very similar to the kath-khuni houses with

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