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a design report
June 2007
Kiran Keswani
architect Bangalore, India kiranmkeswani@gmail.com
ACTION POINTS for the hardware component of the Thadiyankudisai project are :
1. To acquire traditional houses or buildings from owners who are willing to contribute to the Rural Tourism program, for adaptive re-use as interpretation centre, spice shop, cafetaria, toilets and homestays in both Kodalangadu and Mangalagombu villages. To create a local implementation team that can restore a traditional structure or build a new one using traditional building materials and skills. To begin documentation of Kodalangadu village streets & houses through the assistance of architecture students from the College of architecture in Madurai. To finalise with Coffee Planters on the use of their guesthouses for homestays to visitors on the Thadiyankudisai Spice Tour and to confirm other income-generating hardware activities for the local people that they would like to encourage in their premises, such as cafetaria, nature retreat, etc. To begin upgrading of infrastructure facilities of Kodalangadu village in terms of water supply, electricity, garbage disposal, drainage and sewerage systems.
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The do nothing or relaxation places in Thadiyankudisai SPICE TOURISM project site could be : 1. 2. 3. The village of Kodalangadu with its traditional houses, streets and temple square Coffee Plantations Wooded areas in Thadiyankudisai
There may be three kinds of accommodation offered : 1. 2. 3. HOMESTAYS at Kodalangadu TREEHOUSE in the wooded areas (old KVIC site) Guest house rooms of Coffee Planters or Forest guest house
Local Implementation team to include : Engineer Senior mason Carpenter with traditional skills Local village youth a house in Kodalangadu village
The traditional building materials are coconut thatch for roof and bamboo or local wood for walls. How can we use traditional materials in the RURAL TOURISM project? The Snack & Tea counter must necessarily be constructed using these materials. In addition to that, the tree houses that will be built at the old KVIC centre site would require the use of these materials. At the guest houses of the Coffee Planters and the Forest Guest house, there will be outdoor pavilions that will be created with natural wood and coconut thatch or bamboo matting.
This house has interesting traditional elements of built-form and would make a beautiful homestay also due to its setting in the surrounding landscape. If the owners can be approached with a request to offer a part of it as a homestay. In case this house is not available, another set of houses similar in character may be identified.
This campus is a good example of what can be achieved in architectural terms using natural building materials. The structures housing the study areas, the stay areas, the compound walls, the steps and the landscape elements all effectively.
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It may be useful to know the source of the stone that is used in the construction of this building and if there are stone-masons in the region who can do similar work.
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Village layout Typical street Cluster patterns House typologies Village square Temple & its surroundings Water bodies Natural drainage channels Maintenance cycle Festivals & the spaces for them Construction techniques of houses & community shelters
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KODALANGADU
Building materials & their source Techniques of construction Structural concepts Detailing Doors & Windows Spatial hierarchy Building elements Foundation, Wall, Floor, & Roof Lighting Natural systems of ventilation Storage spaces Rituals related to house construction & sustainability Finishes House decoration
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landscape in KODAIKANAL
The landscape at Kodaikanal is naturally beautiful. However, there is much that is manmade and that has been skillfully contoured to suit the natural terrain. This feature of Kodaikanal needs to be replicated also in Thadiyankudisai.
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The architecture of houses and resorts in Kodaikanal uses tiled roofs and in some cases, the walls are in stone masonry. Most of the special houses were built over 50 years ago. However, the newer architecture in Kodaikanal also uses local building materials and traditional techniques of construction. Therefore, the artisans for the Thadiyankudisai project may be sourced from the teams who have worked on the Kodaikanal houses and resorts.
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Employ people who do not understand or have a concern for traditional buildings
Small improvements made by well-intentioned but misinformed owners or their contractors Modern materials & techniques are often incompatible with traditional ones Cement mortar is often smeared across the edges of stones, changing the appearance of the wall as a whole, due to lack of good workmanship
Extend or alter the house in a manner which conflicts with its style
Badly designed extensions can dominate an existing traditional house either due to its size, style or change in material
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Summing up
ACTION POINTS for the hardware component Finalising the do nothing places in Thadiyankudisai
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