Vernacular Architecture (1)

7/28/2019 Vernacular Architecture (1)

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Vernacular

architecture ofRajasthan.



Rajasthan is indeed the most colourful state in

India. It has a unique architecture and isrenowned for it all over the world. The

architecture of Rajasthan is mainly based on the

Rajput school of architecture which was a blend

of the Hindu and Mughal structural design. Thestupendous forts, the intricately carved temples

and the grandhavelis of the state are integral

parts of the architectural heritage of the state.

The Rajputs were prolific builders. Some of the

most imposing and magnificent forts and palaces

in the world dot the arid Aravali landscape and tell

the tales of their glorious legacy.



Components of Rajasthan

Architecture.• PAVILIONS• BARADARIS AND CHATTRIS• COURTYARDS•ENTRANCES



Haveli: Between 1830 and 1930, the aff luent Marwarisconstructed huge mansions in the Shekhawati and Marwarregion. These buildings were called Havelis. They wereheavily influenced by the Mughal architecture in theirconstruction. There were two courtyards in a typicalShekhawati haveli. The outer courtyard was mainly inhabitedby men and the inner one was the domain of women. Thealso sported beautiful and appealing frescoes and were closed

from all sides with one large main gate. This providedsecurity and comfort in seclusion from the outside world.



COURTYARDSThe traditional Indian courtyard is built on the principles of

Vastu Shastra, which state that all spaces emerge from singlepoint, that is, the centre of the house. All other activitiesrevolve around this centre, which has some divine power and

energy associated with it – radiating through the entirehouse.

The origin of courtyards can be traced to the Indus ValleyCivilisation, and they continued with the Aryans(before10thcentury). With the shaping up of various cultures,there was a transition from the cluster court to the privatecourt. The entry of the Islamic rulers (14thcentury) intonorthern India brought in the key issue of treating open space

in building design, to respond tithe harsh climate. The adventof the British led to amerced change in the architectural styleand the concept of the courtyard (18The century and onwards)



Courtyards have, down the ages, served many purposes:•

Socio-Cultural Aspects:

The chowk served as thecentre for various ceremonies and the

rituals. Thetulsi plant was placed here and worshipped daily tobring prosperity to the house.•

Security and Privacy:

The chowk, at times, separated areas for men and women, andprovided them with privacy.•

Climate:

The courtyard served as a micro-climate modif ier.•

Different Activities At Different Times:

The use of the court in the day time, mostly by women to carryout

their work, talk and interact with other women is one of the uses.• Articulation Of Space:

In Mor chowk, City Palace, Udaipur, there is the concept of courtyard as a dancing hall. It well explains, how it can be used inarticulating space. Similarly, in hovels, a courtyard has several

functions. Some miniature paintings also explain this.



It is not just these three planes that matter. An unseen fourthdimension, relating to culture and traditions, alohas a part toplay. The paintings on the walls overlooking the chowk in the

havelis of Shekhawati, depictingKrishna-Radha Leela, thestories related to the owner, the stories ofShekhawati

itself, the battle scenes to make women aware of them, thesteam engine to depict advancement –

all these are manifestations of the lifestyle of people. It is an

inwardlooing area, but an open space



an intelligent way it was to cope with the situation, wheretechnology was a limiting factor uncovering a large spaceunder one roof. Simply break up the required spaces into

smaller units, and tie them together with the centralcourtyard. The breaking of spaces also served the purpose of

lighting and ventilation well.



The architectural built form of these havelis has evolved inresponse to the climate, lifestyle and availability of material.In hot climates where cooling is a necessity, buildings with

internal courtyards were considered the most appropriate. It

acted as a perfect shading technique, while also allowinglight inside. The arcade along the court, or the high wallaround it, kept the interiors cool. Is it not fascinating, that in

those times we had an immense knowledge of passivetechniques, and there were no issues related to the energy

crisis. Infect, these courtyard havelis are excellent examplesof sustainability in the hot and dry climate.



Chhatri: Originating in Rajasthan, chhatris are elevated,dome-shaped pavilions and are visible elements of the

Rajasthani architecture, where they are the symbols of prideand honour. In the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, chhatrisare built on the cremation sites of wealthy or distinguished

people. Chhatris in Shekhawati are usually of a simplestructure of one dome raised by four pillars in a building

containing many domes and a basement with several rooms.

Many prominent chhatris exist in cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur,Udaipur, Haldighati, Bikaner, etc.



This particular fenestration detail is known as "Jharokhas"

which is found widely in the western part of India. It is a typeof overhanging - enclosed or semi enclosed which was widely used in not only in traditional Indian architecture but also inIslamic Architecture. In Islamic Architecture it is known as

'Mashrabia'. It has monumental scale and make it as a

outstanding architectural character. It mainly represents twoarchitectural style Rajasthani Architecture (Western Indian

Architecture). It is most distinctive type of facade decorated with intricate lattice work. It is a projecting window from the wall, in an upper storey, overlooking a street, market, court

or any other open space.



Jharokhas are mainly used in Palaces, Havelis (mansion typestructure) and Temples. They brings filtered light into the indoorspace. Being a dusty and harsh climate within the area, it brings

channeled cool air through its openings and jaalis. Direct windf low inside the building is not desirable. These openings areshaded with projections covered all around with perforations

allows cooling of air. It also helps to shade the building façade.This module was used in hot and dry climate zone.

Purpose of minizing the area of building surface exposed to sun isachieved using this module in repetitive manner. Covering outerlayer of the building facade with these kind of projecting

overhangs , jaalis and small openings in it works for ventilationpurpose. During the day, outer layer gets heated and radiated toimmediate environment. When the building have only one layer.

Building gets heated up early by transmitting the sun rays directly to primary spaces. But organizing secondary spaces adjacent to

outer layer it acts as transitional space keeping comparative coolerinside the primary spaces. Heat enters the secondary space will

dissipate in the streets with respected openings in secondary space

before it enters inside.



The HAWA MAHAL with 953 jharokhas.



They came into being by multiplying very simple spatialunits in modules. Consisting of four columns and a roof.Irrespective of the style and construction method, theiressence is the same. Mandapas and baradaris are some

outstanding examples of spaces created to provide well-articulated shelters for gatherings or for pleasure. Pleasure

pavilions known as baradaris have an extremely sophisticatedform in Rajput and Mughal complexes. The most importantaspect of this kind of space is that it offers a simultaneous

experience of the inside and the outside.



It is a built space, yet open. Itdefines and yet extendsboundaries and can exist by itself or be part of a group.

Despite regional andtemporal variations, thepower of its manifestation hasremained unaffected. It

conveys the idea of shelter,but does not enclose; it isbuilt and has a presence, yet itis transparent and ethereal.



Climatic Response

It is clear that suchopen shelters servedbest during summerevenings in arid

regions, or even inthe warm humidregions, allowing afree flow of fresh air.



ENTRANCES:

The most important transitional relationship between twodistinct realms is expressed through entrances. Whether

it is the entrance to a city through a fort wall with defenseas the major consideration, or a hierarchical sequence of

spatial layers with a series of in-between realms,incorporating symbolic as well as functional values,transition remains the most significant aspect. The

complexity of transition as an architectural element

varies from community to community.



In many cultures, entrancesare intentionally indirect inorder to achieve greaterprivacy. On the other hand,there are numerous

examples all over the world,where a single door can bethe total and only linkbetween the inside and theoutside. In yet another form,an entrance may be the

prelude through which oneis introduced to the interiorright from the first step. Vetis not shown the insidecompletely.



The heat inside of the building is controlled bythe use of textures in Jaisalmer. This isorganized at three levels.

At the town scale the buildings are of unequalheight with parapets and high walls, creatinguneven sky lines and desired shading of eachother.

Secondly, the building facades have largenumber of projections like jharokhas andchajjas which provide shade to the facades.



The building is always oriented by the cardinal directions: North,South, East, West, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest.Each of these directions is considered as energy by itself. Hence thespaces in different orientation are considered differently for designpurposes which is a very climate sensitive approach. For examplethe East or the North walls are made more open to light and air asthe West is the heat gaining side in the warm humid climates ofIndia.

The placement of the building within the site is the first steptoward forming the grid for internal planning. The centre of theplot is generally not where the centre of the building is placed, onlyexception being temples. The climatic logic behind this is that inthe house the outdoor and indoor is designed as one.

Vernacular Architecture (1)

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