Since the building is only 3+1 floors, a need for a lift was not felt
It is also not required as per the local rules
However, the fire escape is almost redundant in the building
Different colors show different types of supports.
All traditional houses in kerala have a roofing network very much similar to the same
Roofing Network
Mangalore Clay Tiles
All wood roofing
Traditional system of trusses.
Roofing Details
An old pickle jar (left) and stone pots (below)
Entry stairs to attic
Extra supports were given at every corner
The roof slopes pyramidically upwards in the right block.
In the left block, the roof slopes up at first from the outside, then slopes down to the nadumuttom.
The Roof Plan
Sectional sketch
Around the nadumuttom, the roof slopes inward.
Better explained with a section
Then slopes down…
The roof slopes up…
The pillars are a new addition put up to support the decaying wooden beams
The Attic was used as a general store
The Attic
Comes directly above the wooden block consisting of the rooms and the store
The block on the left in the background
Red indicates the roofing limit
The Attic is highlighted.
Pink is the veranda
The Attic
Stair access to Attic
Coconut store
The walls were constructed using individual vertical wooden planks, stacked together and then joined
The Rooms and stores were a separate block
Western end of the house
Wooden walls – individual panels
Traditional keralites believed in an open home – The house was considered a social space which was easily accessible. All the rooms were connected to each other, barring the store rooms.
The window between rooms was originally devoid of bars and could be used to go from room to room
Rooms & Store
Rooms & Store
The Central open to sky courtyard.
Internal dim 2200*2900
Provides quality ventilation and natural lighting
The family comes here for relaxation
Nadumuttom
The joinery.
Also, the plans were held at the ground by a thick wooden footer that spanned the entire length
The Attu Kattil
This is the original attu kattil of the house, still strong after so many years
The doors used an unique hinge system
Made completely of wood
Hand crafted
Heavily decorated
Doors
Continuing from previous slide, large families = lot of bellies = lot of food
and rice being the stable food
=> LARGE RICE STORE
and there you have it.
Raised a foot above ground level to protect from moisture and rodents.
Directly below it was a coconut store accessible from the other room
(Kerala's a coconut country :P )
The Rice Store
The Utensil Store
Traditionally, Keralites had large, joint families, which called for extensive cooking equipment that were stored here
Perfectly aligned and in line with surrounding wall
When closed, becomes invisible
The Windows
Kitchen and Dining
The kitchen is, by tradition, a bit displaced, at the NE corner of the house
The women of the house prepared the food here while the men toiled in the farms
The men were served food first
The women always ate after, making sure that enough food had been prepared for the entire family
Panels designed for kitchen ventilation
First Floor
PLAN
Parking Area
Ground Floor
PLAN
Front elevation
Site Plan
Balconies are used for gardening as well
View from apartment
Second Floor
PLAN
Third Floor
PLAN
SECTION
through center
Terrace
PLAN
Since most residents were families with children, a larger living area was put in place than what is common place
The dining is a little displaced from the immediate, along with the kitchen, so as to avoid the instant notice of visitors in the living room
Natural lighting through large windows
Simple Design
Site Location
Located very near a major junction, right in the heart of Cochin
Azad Apartments
A Four Storied Walk Up Apartment in the heart of Cochin
A joint construction by the land owner and residents
7 similar apartments of 1350 sq ft living area
Wire cut bricks used in construction
RCC Pile foundation
Selected Site –
Azad Apartments
(own residence)
Kerala homes have a rich environment around them.
Lots of vegetation
Well
Cow shed
Prayer place
Environment
Traditionally, plates are not used in Kerala.
Instead, food is served on banana leaves,
sourced from the banana plantains that are grown in aplenty here.
Drainage from interior sink (now closed off)
The utensils were washed here.
Grinding stones were present right outside the kitchen, used to mix herbs, spices and other food elements
Kitchen Ventilation
Every traditional house in kerala has a well,
in addition to a pond.
Fishes are grown in it
Constructed of stone bricks
Well
Cows were a primary part of every kerala home.
Every family prided in the cows they had
Milk was always sourced from the family cows. Buying milk was unimaginable
Cow Shed
Kerala is slowly moving away from the old and towards the new, as observed over the years living in Cochin
The state's largest city and a rising metro.
Changes over the past few years have been phenomenal – buildings scraping the sky, buildings fatter than Opera – buildings here, buildings there, stuff popping up every where!!
Cochin
The Change In Trend
The post independence scene in Kerala architecture presents two diverse trends - one is derived from the modernistic style with emphasis on concrete as the medium of construction and linear, cubical or curvilinear shapes for expressing forms. This trend is no different from what is seen all over India. Perhaps the alternate stream is rooted in an enquiry into the traditional style and the revival of functional architecture. The use of indigenous materials, adoption of traditional techniques and matching of climatic needs are the features of this trend in architecture, ardently propagated by Lawry Baker. COSTFORD at Tiruvananthapuram and a large number of 'Baker Houses' are good examples of this school.
Modern Living
Was once the daily bathing pond of every keralite
Every home had one, where all the family members would take their bath.
Large homes had separate ponds for men and women. Other places, people bathed in turns.
Ambal Kulam
Living space – where the family members get together and also where guests are entertained
Living Area/ Nadumuttom
As easily observable, the traditional artisans loved their sense of order – everything is in perfect line and order.
Here we have a view of the nadumuttu through the outer door and the door to the store is also visible
Structure containing a door forming part of Compound wall
Tiled roof on top
Formal entry to the compound with the house
Traditional type lamp below the roof
Padipurra
Perumthachan also spelled as "Perunthachan" meaning (the master carpenter or the master craftsman) is an honorific title that is used to refer to an ancient legendary carpenter(Asari), architect, woodcarver and sculptor from Kerala. However Perumthachan is an important figure in the folklore of Kerala and many a wondrous structure and architecture that still stand are attributed to him.
Craftsmen
Thatchu Shasthra, or the Science of Carpentry and traditional Vasthu, was the governing science in this architectural form.
This branch of knowledge was well developed in the traditional architecture of Kerala and has created its own branch of literature known under the names of Tantrasamuchaya, Vastuvidya, Manushyalaya - Chandrika, and Silparatna.
History / Science
Entrance of the house - climbing up steps in the front slope tiled roof with pillars supporting roof.
Sides are open
In the earlier days, the Head of the family called 'Karanavar' used to sit here in a reclining chair This chair will have long rails on either side where the Karanavar will keep his legs raised for comfortable rest
Poomukham
Thank
You
From the Poomukham you can walk to either side in front of the house through open passage called Chuttu Verandah
Chuttu Verandah will have equidistant hanging lights from its slope roof.
Chuttu Verandah
By the side of Chuttu Verandah and Poomukham, wooden benches with carved decorative wooden pieces for resting the back are provided.
The family members and visitors sit on these Charupady to talk.
Charupady
It exists in two forms –
In most houses:
At the end of Chuttu Verandah – a small pond built with rubble on sides
Traditionally, Lotuses are grown in it, along with other water plants
Ambal Kulam (pond)
Very large homes and temples usually
Have a large enclosed pond where members of the family and visitors come to bathe.
By tradition, the ambal kulam is the bathing area.
Traditional Kerala
Architecture
A mixed mode of construction was evolved in Kerala architecture. The stone work was restricted to the plinth even in importatnt buildings such as temples. Laterite was used for walls. The roof structure in timber was covered with palm leaf thatching for most buildings and rarely with tiles for palaces or temples. The exterior of the laterite walls were either left as such or plastered with lime mortar to serve as the base for mural painting.
Materials Usage Techniques
Kerala –
An Architectural Study
B. Arch II Year Holiday Homework
Shijo Jose
A/2371/2011
Kerala occupies 1.8% of the total land area of India however has a high density population of 3%
It is a scenic state, also called as 'God's own country' for its lush landscape and beauty
Rated among top 50 must see destinations across the world by National Geographic Traveller
An Overview of Kerala
Kerala enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year with mild summers and winters.
The state enjoys one of the highest rainfalls of the country with numerous places having >3000cm
Proximity to the sea results in cool winds throughout the year
Good sunshine
Climatic Conditions
Kerala has a good network of rivers that run throughout the state
The state also prides in its lush open forests that cover most of its area, providing the locals with food, shelter and timber for construction.
The state has the Arabian sea on its Western shore which has made given the state prominence in sea trade.
Environment
Kerala is a state that prides in its culture and traditions, all of which have been carefully preserved and upheld.
Culture and Tradition
Kathakali
Mudiyettu
Locally Available Resources
The State is rich in Wood, Bamboo, Laterite, Stone, Mud Clay, Terracotta, Lime, Palm and is plentiful in its water resources.
Natural building materials are stones, timber, clay and palm leaves
Laterite, available across the state, is a rare local stone which gets stronger and durable with exposure at atmospheric air. Laterite blocks may be bonded in mortars of shell lime, which has been the classic binding material used in traditional buildings. Lime mortar can be improved in strength and performance by admixtures of vegetable juices.
Materials in Construction
Timber is the prime structural material abundantly available in many varieties in Kerala - from bamboo to teak. Perhaps the skilful choice of timber, accurate joinery, artful assembly and delicate carving of wood work for columns, walls and roofs frames are the unique characteristics of Kerala architecture.
Materials in Construction
Clay was used in many forms - for walling, in filling the timber floors and making bricks and tiles after pegging and tempering with admixtures. Palm leaves were used effectively for thatching the roofs and for making partition walls.
Materials in Construction
The central open courtyard 'ankanam'
The enclosed courtyard is often sunk and therefore called 'kuzhi (pit) ankanam'
The protruding roofs formed shady verandas and protected the rooms from direct sunlight, keeping them cool even on the hottest of days
Nadumuttom
Onam celebrations in front of the Poomukham
(picture pillars)
Pillars in wood / stone with carvings or decorative works.
Used to add elegance to hall
Stone pillars are generally carved extensively while wooden pillars are usually simple and round
Chitra Thoonukal
Right to left –
the House owner,
His Brother-in-law
and my Father
This is the frontal portion of the house
Front Elevation
Upon interaction with the residents and locals, such homes were constructed by specialist carpenters, who were a tradition once popular in Kerala
Locally available trees were used – cut, shaped and finished on site. Good quality timer was available in plentiful and came extremely cheap. Most often, the trees came from the very same plot.
House Construction
Photo from Attic
Natural lighting system
The house is divided in 2 sections – the bedrooms and store made of wood (background) and the living room with the kitchen made of laterite bricks bonded in lime. (in picture)
Materials Used
A modern nadumuttom
Open to sky,
open to rain.
Ground Floor
Ground Floor
The open passageway – chuttu verandah surrounds the house.
The original wooden pillars have been replaced due to decay
Chuttu Verandah
A question of age – the cradle the house owner and his father grew up in.
The plan, like all traditional Kerala structures, is based on the principles of vastu sashtra
The house is based on the 'Nallu Kettu' (four ties) system, which involves a rectangular system of construction.
The artisans stuck to vasthu and its principles, evident in the nature of the ratios of dimensions of each rectangular block.
220*290 / 8015*10700 – both of which are in a 1: 1.3 ratio
The Ground Floor layout
Mural painting is a traditional painting of Kerala.
Vegetable dyes are used as colors
Generally these paintings depict stories from epics of India.
Present homes generally have these as decorative pieces of art and are now rarely used on walls.
Mural Paintings
Preferably in North East corner of house
Idols kept facing East and those praying are to face West
Wooden paneling is done on Pooja room walls
Pooja Room
A swing piece of wood, wide and long enough for 2-3 people to fit
Fixed with thick coir to roof from the corners
Usually placed in living rooms
In observed traditional house, present in a bedroom.
Attu Kattil
Modifications:
Vitrified tiling, roof extension, decayed wooden pillars replaced by metal ones
Clay tiles
Wooden flooring
Red/Black oxide with a local mix of egg white batter and lime is most commonly used which gives off a rich shine on polishing.
Flooring
The House
Traditional Kerala
Architecture
Site Visit:
Residence of Rajan and Rekha
At the very least 140 years old (the couple know that their grandfather grew up here and are unsure of the past before that)
Location – Kumbalam, Ernakulum District
Interior wood work was done with wood carvings by skilled artisans
Wood was extensively used and was cheaply available
Teak wood was most commonly used, followed by rosewood and mahogany.
Interior Wood Work
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master subtitle style
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master text styles
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master text styles
Click to edit Master text styles
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master text styles
Click icon to add picture
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
22-Jul-12
#
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master text styles
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
22-Jul-12
#
