SIGMA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

MOODODU, ANDUCODE POST, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

INTERNAL TEST – 2 ANSWER KEY

SEMESTER: V
AR8002 – VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

Part- A

Answer all questions (5x2 = 10Marks)

1. What is a zoon dub? Outline its purpose
A cantilevered balcony designed to view the moon (called zoon in Kashmiri)
Balconies and eaves with beautiful fret worked details known as pinjarakari, pendants of wooden
chimes shaped like jhumkas. Present in Kashmiri boat houses.

2. Write any four Folk art forms of India

(any 4)
Kerala-
Koothu
Nangiar koothu and
Koodiyattam
Rajasthani folk dances : Ghoomar, Kathputli (Puppet) and Kalbelia

3. What do you mean by Koothambalam?

Koothambalam means temple theatre, it is a closed
hall for staging the ancient ritualistic art forms of
Kerala
The art forms performed are – koothu, Nangiar
koothu, koodiyattam

4. List any four major salient features of Agraharams?

Courtyard
 The courtyard houses of Agrahara - responsd to the climate conditions of the place.
 hot humid climatic conditions- easy ventilation.
 sloping roof of the houses- lets in a little sunlight to the interiors
 sacred tulsi planted and worshipped in the center of the courtyard.
 The court has provisions of taps for ablution and also outlets for water drainage
which takes the rainwater outside.
Drainage
They had special paths known as scavengers lane made behind every stretch of streets.
The wastes were collected outside the fort (southwest corner) and later taken to far off
places to be disposed.

Spatial planning:
Linear organisation- rooms opened out to the courtyard
Community planning:
The houses were located adjacent to the temple- linear pattern or concentric squares

5. Outline any four characteristic features of vernacular styles prevalent in Kerala

Sloping roof- in response to climate,
Roof – tiles paved on wooden trusses
Verandahs all around the building, protecting from sun and rain
Internal courtyard- light and ventilation
Flooring: Beaten earth polished with cowdung
Expensive flooring : mixture of lime, sand , coconut shell, jaggery

Part- B

Answer all questions (1x8 = 8Marks)

1. How did culture and context influence the Vernacular Architecture in Kashmir?
Explain in detail with sketches
ANS:
Governing construction methods:
Maintenance
Geography
Economics

Economics:
Brick- Kashmir Valleys (baked or unbaked bricks)
Stone- Kashmir hills

Maintanence:
Rural structure- easy to build
 Outside locality – expensive

Part- C

Answer all questions (2x16 = 32Marks)

1. Illustrate with sketches the construction techniques, planning and layout of traditional
Bhunga houses in Gujarat
2. Sketch and explain in detail the spatial configuration and architectural features of a
typical Chettinad house
Chettinad is a region of the Sivaganga district of southern Tamil Nadu state, India. Karaikudi is known as
the capital of Chettinad, which includes Karaikudi and 74 other villages. Chettinad is the homeland of
the Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose
members migrated to South India
Houses of Chettinad:
− Each house in Chettinad is made of Mugappu, Valavu, Irandankatu, Moonakatu & Thotham.
− Mugappu- entrance
− Valavu - living area
− Valavu - four Platforms - called Pattalai, each at four corners of the Valavu
− Pattalai act as the living halls of each family. Along with the Pattallai, Valavu is made up of
numerous Irattai Vidu.
− Irattai Vidu are rooms used by each family to keep their belongings and etc.
− Irattai vidu - Irattai means Two and Vidu means House - is made of two rooms connected by a
single door.
− Nadai – Corridor
− Irandankatu - dining purpose and have store rooms - storing all kitchenware.
− Moonakatu - Chettinad kitchen
− Thottam – Garden
− Parking space is also present
− The Chettinad houses are built on a rectangular, traversal plot that stretches across two
streets, with the front door opening into the first street and the back into the second.
− Also have a first floor – store things
− A big Chettinad house consist of atleast 60 to 70 rooms.
− Most of the Chettiyar’s house in Chettinad consists of thousands of windows, hundreds of
wooden pillars.
− These pillars are coated with egg white stand tall in marvelously big dinner hall called Kalyana
 Kottahai.
− These houses may also contain raised platform known as ‘Thinnai’ used to protect from sun
and rain.
− First comes an outer thinai – Large raised platforms on either side of the central corridor,
where the host would entertain male guests.
− The platforms lead off on one side into store rooms and massive granaries and on the other,
into the
− ( Kanakupillai ) or Accountant’s room. This area also usually leads off to the men’s well.
From here, the huge elaborately carved teak front door, with image of Lakshmi carved over the head and
navaratna or nine precious gems buried under the ( Vasapadi) threshold.

Entrance  First open courtyard - pillared corridors - lead into individual rooms- married son,
triangular slot cut into the wall for the evening lamp.
 second courtyard with large dining spaces on either side
 third courtyard - women - rest and gossip,
fourth, or nalankattai - kitchens, leading out to the backyard with its women’s well and grinding
stones.
Wealthier merchants – built a second floor
Eg: Chettinad Palace in Kanadukathan
Decor items and furnishings - imported - East Asian countries
Dining hall – 250 seater capacity
hall leads to the central courtyard used for weddings and religious ceremonies
servants' quarters are situated at the far end which is a suitable distance from the residential area
of the family and yet close to the kitchen where the ladies of the house would need their services.
Door frames with Goddess Gajalakshmi who symbolizes wealth and a Kumbam(brass pot) symbolize
wealth
Walls - paste made out of egg whites to give a smooth texture
Community planning : grid iron pattern – kannudakam

Climate Responsiveness
MAIN COURTYARD– Prime place for interaction; Since, Chettinad is a hot and semi-arid region The
climate was taken into consideration in the design of their homes and the materials used.
The houses were built around an East/West central courtyard which brings shade, light, coolness
and air to the entire home.
BUILDING MATERIALS USED - The materials used for construction and the essential components of
this luxury home are brick and lime r plaster walls, terracotta tiled roofs, stone pillars, pillars, teak
columns and marble and stone floors
ROOFING - The roof is terracotta tiled – which shutting out the immense heat; as Chettinad is a hot
and arid region.