Study Of Malayali Architecture & Its Adaptation In a Modern Context PDF

Preview

Summary

DISSERTATION & ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT (PART I) STUDY OF MALAYALI ARCHITECTURE & ITS ADAPTATION IN THE MODERN CONTEXT By VISHNU K SURESH FOURTH YEAR – B.ARCH 2016-2017 Guided by PROF. VEENA SHENVI D Y PATIL SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE DR D Y PATIL KNOWLEDGE CITY, CHARHOLI BK, LOHEGAON, PUNE – 41210...

Description

Accelerat ing t he world's research.

Study Of Malayali Architecture & Its Adaptation In a Modern Context Vishnu Suresh

Related papers

Download a PDF Pack of t he best relat ed papers 

Conservat ion of Kut t ichira, Kozhikode (India) - A Mappila Muslim set t lement Vaisali Krishnakumar

Lessons learnt from vernacular archit ect ure of Kerala Naushaba Jameel, Janmejoy Gupt a ANALYSING T HE CURRENT APPROACHES OF RENOVAT ING INDIGENOUS CHURCHES OF KERALA Hannah Mat hew

DISSERTATION & ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT (PART I)

STUDY OF MALAYALI ARCHITECTURE & ITS ADAPTATION IN THE MODERN CONTEXT

By VISHNU K SURESH FOURTH YEAR – B.ARCH 2016-2017

Guided by PROF. VEENA SHENVI

D Y PATIL SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE DR D Y PATIL KNOWLEDGE CITY, CHARHOLI BK, LOHEGAON, PUNE – 412105

SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY 1

Acknowledgements I would like to extend my thankfulness to Prof. Veena Shenvi, for guiding me and helping me extend the horizons of my research to irrefutable extents. I also thank my Studio Director – Prof. Sunayanee Banerjee, and my Principal I/C – Prof. Shubhada Chapekar for giving me the opportunity to work on my research without any hitches. I give my thanks to our library staff – Lanjekar Sir and Sushma Ma’am for giving me the inputs and required books and references for the same. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and thankfulness to many people from my life – my parents – Sureshbabu K I and Vanaja Suresh for helping me in guiding and expanding upon the little knowledge of my own native place – Kerala. Lastly, my thanks to goes to Samruddhi Gangajaliwale, for helping me out through the research phase, by helping me organize my data without any problems.

Vishnu K Suresh #13037 Dr. D. Y. Patil School Of Architecture

2

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1

ABSTRACT

4

LIST OF SKETCHES & PHOTOGRAPHS

5

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION & RESEARCH DESIGN

7

•

Introduction

•

Research Question

•

Need & Significance

•

Aim

•

Objectives

•

Scope

Chapter 2: METHODOLGY

12

•

Introduction

•

Research Question

•

Need & Significance

•

Aim

•

Objectives

•

Scope

Chapter 3: LITERATURE REVIEW

15

•

Malayali Architecture

•

Typical Roof Systems in Kerala

•

Shapes & Forms Of Roofs

•

Material Usage

•

The Structure Of Roofs

•

Typical Roof Details

•

Transition Of Roofs in Kerala – 1950s – 2010

•

3

Chapter 3: CASE STUDIES

33

•

Shree Padmanabhapuram Palace, Trivandrum

•

Chandramandapa, Chennai

•

Meera & Dinesh Nair’s Residence, Thrissur

•

Spice Harbour, Fort Kochi

Chapter 5: COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS OF ROOF SYSTEMS •

Relationship Matrices Of Case Studies

•

Observations

45

Chapter 6: INFERENCES & FINDINGS

52

Chapter 7: CONCLUSIONS

55

BIBLIOGRAPHY

57

4

ABSTRACT Time, Art, Beauty and History – they are something to be preserved, to be cherished and to be made even more beautiful by conscious attempts. Kerala, a state that has its culture, its cuisine, its architecture, its art, its sociography, has amalgamated initially by choice and later by force, has grown today to be one of India’s growing markets for Information Technology, Tourism and real estate. Slowly, but eventually the onset of modern, contemporary and composite styles of architecture will overpower the traditional, vernacular and singular style. One of the most important characteristic of the Malayali Architecture is its roof – becoming the style’s most recognizable feature. This is a study where we analyze the roof structures of Malayali Architecture – a staple and characteristic feature of the style, and its modern time adaptations.

5

LIST OF SKETCHES & PHOTOGRAPHS Fig 1. Typical Aesthetic Of Malayali Architecture Fig 2. The Structural & The Aesthetic Features are the same. Fig 3. The Naalukettu & The Sopanam Fig 4. Typical Variations in Roof Forms Fig 5. Local Variations Of Roof Forms & Designs – From the Northern Malabar to Southern Travancore Fig 6. Different Types Of Roofing Materials for the Structure Fig 7. The Tribal Hut In Wayanad –A predominantly rural area. Fig 8. Thatch roof Fig 9. Typical Roof Construction Fig 10. Clay tiles roofing Fig 11.Copper shingles roofing Fig 12. Typical Roof Structural System Fig 13. The Roof Frame Stucture Fig 14. No need for Gutters – Jalagam System Of Roof Surface Drain Fig 15. Sketches and Photos On Site Fig 16. Roof Attic Details Fig 17. Case studies reveal the features which retains the original flavour and what features deviate away. Cases chosen from 1950 to 2010 Fig 18. The Padipura and the Thaikottaram Roofs Fig 19. Interior Spaces – With the roof itself providing aesthetics and structural support to the roofing materials.

6

Fig 20. ‘Thoovanapalaka’ Carving – The Intricate carving on the ‘eaveboards’ Fig 20. The Chandramandapa Roof Profile Fig 21. The Entire Structure is Roof. Fig. 22 The Strack Effect Fig. 23 Roof trusses & The Mukhappu Fig 24. Meera & Dinesh Nair's Residence - Sketches & Layouts Fig 25. Roof System in MDN Residence Fig 26. Interior Photograph - MDN Residence Fig 27. Modern Adaptation Of Jalagam & the Roof Structure in MDN Residence Fig 28. On-site Case Study – Roof Structure Sketch Fig 29. The Adaptation Of Malayali Roof in Spice Harbour Fig 30. Interior Structural Revamp of Spice Harbour Fig 31. Comparative Relationship Matrix - Original & Adapted Malayali Architecture

7

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION & RESEARCH DESIGN

8

From time untamed, the Port City of Kochi has been a beacon of culture and trade since the assertion of India to the Mughals, to the Muziri Traders from Arabia to Persia, and the city is not at all stranger to the gunpowder of the East India Company and its Empire. The influx, travel and annexure of this city has twisted, molded and created cultures in the same soil creating a strange but riveting culture that is expressed and felt visually, and in the space of hope and feelings. As a city, Cochin (as it is known in its English version) was established long during the 8th Century, during the establishment of the Empire Of Kochi, and soon after the Empire held a stronghold in the Central and Southern Kerala, hence the city turned to be an area where trade and innumerous economical gains increased and the city turned into a cultural melting pot, just like Istanbul or Constantinople in Turkey during the 12th Century. Aside from Calicut in North Kerala, Kochi was the only port connecting the Deccan Peninsula and North India to the trade routes of the Rajputs, Mudaliars of Pandyas, the Raos of Hyderabad and the tribes of Maharashtra and Orissa. This establishment of trade posts created chances for other cultures to grow and prosper and to assimilate existing cultures in the mainland and create a new hybrid form of existence that spread upon culinary, architecture, literature, art and sciences. The essence of “using what you have” was the principle behind the ancient architecture of the city, with vernacular architecture and establishment of Hamlets, towns and satellite villages throughout ancient and medieval Kochi. Usually timber was used to

construct

elaborate

timber

structural

members

to

built

large

constructional elements with immense woodwork using locally available teak and bamboo. The aesthetic of a typical Kochi bungalow had pitched sloped roofs with mangalore tiles or thatch roof. Elemental members like carved filals and curved roof lines draw heavy influence of Chinese and East Asian Architecture indicating the trade route influences between China, Malay and Singapore during the late 13th Century.

9

After late 15th Century and Renaissance took Europe by the storm, explorers from Dutch, English and Portuguese lands started trade routes from their respective countries to the shores of Kochi, and the name turned more anglized into Cochin. Inset of European settlers bought religion and architecture, and the ideas of Arabic and Christian thoughts and then large scale conversions took place due to the authoritative Namboothiri rulers of the City State. Among the converts were artisans and smiths who learned new methods of construction with respect to religion and hence typologies like Churches, Parishes, Synagogues and Mosques appeared in timeframe creating new and refined architectural thought

processes

and

systems

even

though

methodology

and

construction remained same. Slowly, this development increased till Independence till a time when all religion in the region remained the same and when the modern times came to the city, by the 60s, the knowledge of construction increased rapidly, bringing in reinforced cement concrete into the scene. Though the processes changed, the design and planning remained same. Now, in 2006-07 the city became a victim of its own progress, since the city has now become an increased spot of information technology sector due the metro city scheme and Smart City projects in Mattancherry and Palarivattom. Traffic has increased tenfold and the city is now losing its rich character and a heritage that it had. Timber and stone are still in plenty but a chaotic move towards aluminium composites and glass facades is now turning this heritage marvel to any other glass-lined metro city without any respect to its origin.

10

RESEARCH QUESTION How to incorporate Architectural Features of Malayali Architecture into a modern context and how does it do well against the original style?

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE The need for this research is important as it brings to light what the culture of Kerala celebrates and understands, with which we can share and diversify our knowledge. This can be done through various methods like arts and crafts, music, dance etc. These become active states of heritage, but architecture, sculpture, urban design and socio-cultural intervention can also create a subconscious level of heritage spread throughout the city and the tourist population about a culture that might disappear in the stampede of development. The study could also contribute to the economic conditions of the major parts of the city, as a public built form that caters to either tourism sectors or an academic sector could increase income and in turn generate revenue, whilst providing nourishment to the soul, mind and body.

AIM The aim of this research is to understand how the architectural features of a rich heritage like Kerala can be infused into a modern setting without compromising both quality in function, context and the appeasing nature of aesthetics.

11

OBJECTIVES The following are the objectives of this dissertation: 1. To gather historical data, cultural context and religious thought process’s influence on the architectural beauty in Kerala. 2. To study the features’ structural design, material creativity and architectural value. 3. To shed light and appreciate the beauty and quantify the work done by craftsmen in the region and to study their techniques and methods. 4. To

study

in

terms

of

statistics

and

urban

surveys,

the

decline/increase of the usage of these architectural features, or lack thereof in context of the city of Kochi and its surrounding areas.

SCOPE The scope of using architecture to raise awareness in people about the history and local culture and tastes of the people, would be a great way to celebrate art and design in a way that people would relate to. Being close to the cultural capital of Kerala – Thrissur and being a beacon for tourists for more than 130 countries around the world, creating an architectural study of the local history of the city, would increase the knowledge pool of the local architects as well as artisans and would be able to work in the same thought process, and create Kochi into one of the finest tourist destinations in the world, as well as a heritage hotspot in the architectural and travel world. Using these research findings, the government can plan optimum urban planning strategies to accommodate all kinds of people, and also enable handling of migration, which it’s right now, doing very poorly without any guidance. This study is limited to the architectural style of the roofs of Central Kerala, chiefly placed around Kochi, Thrissur and the Ernakulam areas.

12

Chapter 2: METHODOLOGY & RESEARCH DESIGN

13

The research metho thodology adopted for this research con consists of two types Primary Data Colle ollection that includes four case stud tudies, and multiple interviews of people ple from the region that includes indu dustry professionals and common people ple, and also observations and sketches hes. Secondary Data Collection Co includes innumerous litera erature reviews from books, magazines, s, references r and online digital libraries ies from the internet.

DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY

CASE STUDIES ES

PRIMARY DATA COLLEC COLLECTION

INTERVIEWS

OBSERVATIONS ONS

LITERATURE URE REVIEWS SECONDARY DATA COLLEC COLLECTION INTERNET BROWSING

Case Studies and d In Interviews were done in context with ith Kerala, as well as to the general publ ublic and industry professionals alike, e, since a combined sampling of the peo eople in both these walks of life, helped ped to create a study pool of both – a laym ayman perspective, and a technical pers erspective. The historical stud tudy of the roofs, and structure and d components were done on site, and d minimal attempts were made to rely re on information from the Internet, t, and a most of the data come from the e people pe themselves.

14

CASE STUDIES Four case stu studies – Three Live Case Studies an and One Book Case Studies were re carried out.

CASE STUDIES

Shree Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thiruvanathapuram hiruvanathapuram

Spice Harbour at Fort Kochi

Meera and Dinesh Nair’s Residence at Thrissur

Chandramandapa, Chennai

All these case ase studies were done mainly in focus s with w the structural and aesthetic tic design systems of roofs, and hence ce the overall details of the constr struction and site level designs has s been b considered – though nott in depth.

All these structures stru have – in some form, the e Traditional Kerala roofs, made e of o timber and/or R.C.C

15

Chapter 3: LITERATURE REVIEW

16

MALAYALI ARCHITECTURE The lush green landscape and warm, humid climate of Kerala combined with the unique culture of the people generated an architecture which was simple and elegant, uncluttered and in complete harmony with the nature. While in most parts of India stone &bricks replaced wood, Kerala traditionally continued using wood redefining and developing its own style of architecture also called as Dravidian style. The Architecture style of Kerala is commonly referred to as Malayali Architecture, Malayali Architecture etc. In this research, it shall be referred to as Malayali Architecture for the sake of ease. MALAYALI ARCHITECTURE

SECULAR

PALACES

RELIGIOUS

THARAVADS

TEMPLES

MOSQUES

CHURCHES

(HOUSES)

Climate played a major role in deciding the architectural character of the place. Combined with the warm, humid climate of Kerala, the region’s heavy rainfall dictated, to a great extent, the form and layout of traditional buildings. Some of these adaptations were buildings separated from other dwelling/ units, rooms opening into a central courtyard, steeply pitched roof with open gables at both ends, verandahs on almost all sides for residential buildings and deep overhangs. The availability of timber and laterite from the dense jungles of Kerala produced a unique vocabulary of architecture along with the climatic conditions, shaping the roofing systems.

17

Fig 1. Typical Aesthetic Of Malayali Architecture

Fig 2. The Structural & The Aesthetic Features are the same.

Fig 3. The Naalukettu & The Sopanam

18

TYPICAL ROOF SYSTEMS OF KERALA Since most temples and houses are surrounded high walls and roofs end up being the only element visible from the outside, the roof is the most important element in traditional Malayali architecture. For this reason, much care and effort is lavished on it. Roofs appear in various forms, the most common one being the double hipped roof with pierced gables, called Nasik as or “noses,” at either end. The heavy rainfall necessitated that the roofs be steeply pitched and have deep overhangs. The roof angle was usually around 45° to the horizontal. The roof with intricately carved gables protruding from the roof with overhangs supported by wooden brackets. The roof is prefabricated that is different members are fixed on the ground and assembled at the top. No nails are used. The roof is kept in position by interlocking with the hole in the rafters. Structurally the roof frame was supported on the pillars on walls erected on a plinth raised from the ground for protection against dampness and insects in the tropical climate.

19

SHAPES OF ROOFS

Fig 4. Typical Variations in Roof Forms

There is a local variation of roof forms observed in Kerala and has summed them up into ten distinct types, and stated that roof is a significant element in the traditional residential building. The geometry of the roof, profile of the rafter, projections of the eaves of the porch, gable, intersections of roof planes and the variety of coverings etc. distinguish the roof forms in different sub regions of Kerala toward the southern are, the roof designs show steeper and more variations of bent ridges and provision of gabbles (mukhappu). Toward the northern region, the dominant roof design is hipped roof

20

Fig 5. Local Variations Of Roof Forms & Designs – From the Northern Malabar to Southern Travancore

21

MATERIALS ROOFING MATERIALS

THATCH

CLAY TILES

COPPER SHINGLES

Fig 6. Different Types Of Roofing Materials for the Structure THATCH The palm leaves with which the houses are covered, and the teak wood have the property of attracting the moisture, and of suffering it again to escape, as soon as a breath of wind begins to stir , or the sun to shine. Hence it happens, that these houses are much healthier than those of stone and limewhich, if not allowed to dry properly, evaporate, for a long

22

time after they are built, a great many calcareous materials and highly pernicious particles Example: TRIBAL HUT IN WAYANAD •

Locally procured bamboo, grass and mud are the basic materials of house construction<...