PAPER PRESENTATION VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

OF PONDICHERRY
“ARCHITECTURE
WITHOUT
ARCHITECTS “
INTRODUCTION – ( VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE)

Vernacular Architecture is indigenous to a specific time and place and is achieved through ages of
trial and error and not replicated from elsewhere . It does not involve the conscious designing of
spaces but is based on certain conventions and local customs . They are climate responsive and
address the local needs .

The aesthetic considerations are minimal and involve traditional craftsmanship and encourages the
participation of people leading to a holistic design approach .

Thus vernacular Architecture evolves over time to reflect environmental , cultural and historical
context in which it exists. It is refined and tailored to the setting in which it exists.
Vernacular Architecture depends on the following factors :
 Available materials
 Local technology
 Climate ( humidity , rain , wind , etc.)
 Culture – way of life
size of family .
occupation ( weavers , farmers , etc. )
way in which the building is used .
social conditions .
Environment
seashore, near water bodies, woodlands , desserts
Economic conditions .
Historical influences .
 Benefits of vernacular Architecture :

Cost effective as materials are sourced locally .

Sustainable Architecture
Responds to climatic conditions
Connects people to the evxironment
Originally a scattered settlement of fishermen and weavers , the place later developed into
a busy trading port having ties with the Roman Empire . Later it flourished as the port town of
the Cholas until it became a busy trading centre of the colonial powers . After the destruction
of Pondicherry by the British after their siege there was an active reconstruction ( mostly over
the old foundation remains ).
The fortified town encompasses two parts – The French and Tamil town planned on a grid
pattern in an oval shape .
The Tamil town has an intimate fabric of Hindu , Christian and Muslim quarters with a strong
vernacular influence of the surrounding Tamil Nadu.
The French town has structures in the European classical style .
The two contrasting styles existing side by side have influenced each other , sometimes
resulting in a unique blend of European and Tamil Architectural patterns reflecting the cross
cultural impact and giving the built form a certain Pondicherry-ness.
 TOPOGRAPHY
The topography of Pondicherry is same as that of coastal Tamil Nadu . Its elevation is at sea
level and there many sea inlets(backwaters) coming into the areas . It experiences extreme
coastal erosion .
Nestled between Tamil Nadu and the Bay of
of Bengal , it experiences a tropical wet and dry
climate . Temperatures are high throughout the
year and precipitation is high during the
summers .
TAMIL TOWN The Tamil town is to the west of the grand canal . As
the town developed in stages over the decades , the
irregular street patterns were straightened out and an
orthogonal pattern was adopted .
The French relocated the natives to the west of the
grand canal .
The Tamil town evolved into three quarters – Hindu ,
Muslim , Christian.
Inspite of the religious differences the religious
differences the entire settlement shares a common
Architectural pattern . There are a few variations
reflecting the socio-cultural and religious differences
but are often integrated within the built form without
affecting the structure of the buildings .
 STREETSCAPE
Tamil streets are mainly characterized by the thalvaram ( stree verandah with platform and lean-to roof over wooden
posts ) .
It’s a social extension of the house serving as small gathering place children , elders , etc for leisure .

It acts as a semi-private space before leading into the house .

It also houses a thinnai which is a bench .
The street are named as Talking Streets because of the fuctions served by these thalvarams .
They encourage interaction between people .
They also act as a transition space between public and private spaces .
 Plan

Section
DESIGN ASPECTS
The plan is linear and has a through axis .
There are a series of open, semi covered and covered spaces catering to different activities
and requirements .
The entrance unlike in most houses is to the corner of the house that leads into the vestibule .
The vestibule further leads into the mutram or the courtyard . The corridor around the mutram is
shaded using country tiled roof over wooden columns . This also prevents rainwater from coming
into the house .
This mutram according to vastu shastra is believed to provide a direct link with the five elements
of nature ( land , water , air , earth , fire ) .
It also acts as social gathering space during functions and festivals .
Apart from these it serves another important function of providing ventilation light the house .
The country tiles roof funnel air into this mutram .
Beyond the mutram are the major private spaces such as the bedrooms, storerooms , kitchen ,
sami arai ( pooja room ) . So the mutam also acts as a buffer space between the semi private
and private spaces .
The kitchen opens onto a rear courtyard . This helps in the escaping of fumes from the kithen .
This courtyard contains a well and a garden naturally cooling the stuffy environment of a
kitchen . It also serves as an open kitchen .
This courtyard is used for domestic utilities and also to accommodate livestock .
These back to back row houses share walls thus reducing heat gain .
CLIMATIC ASPECTS
To minimise the discomfort of the tropical climate (hot and humid throughout the year ) . Direct openings and
large volumes have been avoided .

On the street side where the walls are exposed to direct sun , thalvaram provide shade and protection .

The courtyard induces ventilation due to updraft .

The successive layers of country tiled roof traps

the heat and provides effective insulation .

The mix of open , semi covered and covered spaces

also provide a choice according to the climate .
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Buildings feature simple load bearing walls .
Foundations are of rubble and have one or two stepings .
Walls are flat bricks ( 45-60mm) packed with an infill of mud and brick bat . This
also provides thermal insulation .
Madras terrace roofing has been used for the part of flat roof .
Mangalore tiles or pot tiles have been used for the sloping roofs .
Brick corbelling has been used for cornices , copings and decorative bands
 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
The houses have been built using nature friendly and locally available materials such as burnt
bricks , lime , terracotta tiles and wood .
Major structural members ( columns and beams ) – teak wood.
Minor members ( rafters , posts ) – palm or other local timbers .
Traditional Tamil houses displayed skills in brick laying , tile laying , timber craft and plaster
work .
THALVARAM
These are the most essential and
mandatory feature of the tamil
houses and streets in Pondicherry .
The thalvarams are benevolent
social extensions of the house and
had multiple functions – to
provide shade and protection to
the passer-by , to protect the
building wall from sun and rain ,
serves as a transition space
between th outside and the inside
, it also renders continuity to the
streetscape .

A typical Thalvaram features

Mangalore tiles over wrought iron
brackets or wooden posts . The
angle of the thalvaram is about
30 degrees . There is a continuous
eaves borad to protect the rafters
THINNAIS
Thinnai and thalvaram together
constitute the main façade of the Tamil
houses . Thinnais mark the sensitive
transition space before entering a
house . These were functional spaces
used to receive strangers and also for
the inhabitants to relax and have
social interactions with their neighbours
. Especially during the evening time
when they come back form work , it is
a great relaxation spot .
ENTRANCE DOORS
Entrance doors are finely carved and the elaborate door frames are made of many layers
of wood . The shutters are thick and often made up of 2 pieces – the front one with carved
cut out and the rear one just plain . The doors are fixed to the frame by iron hinges . The
relief on top of the door frame has symbols pertaining to the community of the owner .
WINDOWS
Windows are mostly flat with elaborate teak wood frames set into the walls . The shutters behind
behind strong wrought iron bars are set at 45 degree angle , are provided with wooden panels or
louvers .
PILASTERS AND CORNICES
Apart from the thinnais and thalvarams ,
the pilasters and cornices constitute the
main composition of the façade , providing
a frame for features like openings ,
parapets and balconies . Pilaster follow
the wall lines and are detailed with a base
and a capital . Cornices follow the floor
divisions and are provided with adequate
throating within curved or sloped moulding
to protect the wall surface below from rain
. They are made of corbelled flat bricks in
lime mortar .
Balconies
Balconies are usually about 3-4 ft deep and
are of projected Madras Terrace Roofing –
supported by wrought iron brackets . The
railings are usually of well detailed iron or
wood work and the soffits of these balconies
are provided with ornamental eaves . They
are rofed with Mangalore tiles over wooden
posts .
CONCLUSION
The Architecture her is versatile and needs to be preserved . These techniques can be
inculcated in modern day Architecture to provide a climate responsive environment .
The thalvaram at the entrance of the houses can be used to shade the buildings and
protect it from the harsh glare of the sun .
The usage of minimal windows so as to prevent heat gain .
Cross ventilation provides great air circulation and keeps the surroundings cool .