Introduction to Awadh Architecture It's History and Architecture Details Various Architectural Buildings in Lucknow and their features Survey of an old resedential building and its architectural and construction details.

1. CASE STUDY: CHOWK
Submitted by-:
1. Zoha Salma (17744881036)
2. Naureen Fatima (1774881016)
3. Mohd. Hamza (1774881012)
4. Priyanshi (1774881019)
5. Siddhant Kanojiya (1774881027)
Submitted to:-
Ar. Jaya Srivastava6. Vivya Verma (1774881034)
7. Ansh Agarwal (1774881005)
8. Ishita Gupta (1774881009)
9. Aman Raj Krishna (1774881002)
VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE B.Arch
Year-: 2nd
Semester-: 4

2. Chowk is the oldest part of Lucknow located at the west
side of the city, with a rich history and heritage value.
The area tells about the prosperous Nawabi era of the
city and speaks of the rich cultural heritage of Lucknow.
Lucknow has always been known for its Sham- e- Awadh.
The core area of Chowk offers the variety of reasons for
the enhancement of tourism but has not been able to
showcase its potential.
RUMI DARWAZA
CLOCK TOWER BARA IMAMBARA
INTRODUCTION TO CHOWK

3. The houses in the area of Chowk are a mixture of old and new walls, jammed together covering a
large area.
The city houses of the Farangi Mahal made of lakhori bricks and lime mortar with wooden spars
and stone were built by French cloth merchants in the early seventeenth century.
They are historically important, have similar generic type and have been least altered from their
original contexts.
There are variations in these houses but the basic pattern remains remarkably consistent.
THE STREETS OF CHOWK ELEVATION OF A HOUSE

4. The area has one of the oldest markets in
the city, Comprising of:
1.Inter-connected narrow streets
Small shops selling chikan garments
Ittar
2. Ornaments and a variety of other
accessories.
The rich heritage of this area has various
structures surviving from decades and these
include-:
1. Bara Imambara
2. Chota Imambara
3. Rumi Darwaza
4. Clock Tower
5. Picture Gallery
6. Dilkhusha Kothi
7. Chattar Manzil
8. Safed Baradari
9. The Residency
10. La-martinere
CHOTA IMAMBARA
CHATTAR MANZIL

5. The Chowk area in the Indian city of Lucknow is one of the oldest markets in the state as well
as the whole of North India.
Lucknow is an ancient city, and its presence and significance are ubiquitous throughout
Indian history.
Right from the eras of Badshahs and Nawabs to the rule of the British Lucknow has occupied
quite a prominent place.
A market area right in the heart of this colourful city will share the same essence.
Chowk market is one of those places of the city that are a window into its rich cultural
heritage. Beginning from Chikan work to succulent kebabs, one can find it all at the bustling
street.
RUINS OF RESIDENCY BAOLI IN BADA IMAMBADA
HISTORY OF CHOWK

6. Chowk market has more than 5000 shops spread around the narrow, labyrinthine cobweb of
streets on both sides and sometimes taking much of the road itself.
In these quaint shops, there are both bricked shops as well as temporary ones.
Lucknow has always been known for its Sham- e- Avadh, just like Subah-e-Banaras of Varanasi.
Today many of the old characteristics of the area are not seen in Chowk.
However, Chowk stillshows the conviviality of a commercial area surrounded by residential
clusters of different communities which add on to the Ganga- Jamuni tahzeeb of Lucknow
INTERIORS OF BADA IMAMBADA

7. Lucknow has a history of various time periods ranging from the Nawabi era to the Colonial era
and the post-independence time.
It is a place which is known for the Indo Sara scenic architecture style.
The Imambaras, the step well, the traditional kothis etc. are good examples of Nawabi era and
on the other hand the Constantia of La Martiniere Boys College is today a UNESCO’s world
heritage site
Lucknow has often said to be synonym of culture. For Lucknow, culture is not just in its
architecture but in its every nook and corner
PICTURE GALLERY LA MARTINERE

8. ORIENTATION
1. The orientation of the building should be
such that there is maximum heat gain in
winters and minimum heat gain in
summers.
2. North-east and south-west orientation is
preferred in such climate.
Windows should cut off the sun in summers
and allow its effect in winters.
Windows should enhance the air quality.
The courtyard planning is mostly is mostly
preferred.
The openings in the houses are generally larger
in size.
The cross ventilation is very well observed in
the typical dwellings.
Average rainfall
BASIC FEATURES OF DWELLINGS AS PER
THE CLIMATE

9. The study covers approximately 1km of stretch in the Chowk region:
CHARAK CHAURAHA TO KONESHWAR MANDIR CHAURAHA
•
KONESHWAR
CHAURAHA
CHOWK
CHAURAHA
CHARAK
CHAURAHA
THE STRETCH (CHOWK)

10. WALLS: Thicker walls with Lakhori Bricks, some buildings have cavities also
WINDOWS & DOORS: Symmetrically placed and large windows with concrete
jalis. Some buildings have small curved windows placed on walls (Jharokha)
for cross ventilation.
FLOOR: Elevated floors
COLOURS IN EXTERIORS: Mostly white or pale
COLOURS IN INTERIORS: Mostly white
HIGH THERMAL MASS WITH NIGHT VENTILATION: High thermal mass and
night ventilation by the Roshandans and Jharokhas
COURTYARDS: Given in center surrounded by rooms and other areas.
PROJECTIONS: Large projecting eaves.
OPENINGS ON THE TOP (ROSHANDAN): Openings are placed on parabolic
dome of the roof(Mostly curved)
BUFFER ZONES: Widely available in buildings (Verandahs).
ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

11. PARABOLIC DOME TYPE
ROOFS
THICKER WALLS OF
LAKHORI BRICKS
JALIS
ELEVATED FLOORS COLOURS INTERIORS
(MOSTLY WHITE)
COLOURS EXTERIORS
(PALE)

12. SYMMETRICALLY PLACED
WINDOWS
LARGE PROJECTING EAVES MUTUAL SHADING BY THE
ROOFS OF OPPOSITE HOUSES
JHAROKHA ROSHANDAN VERANDAH

13. GOL DARWAZA IN CHOWK A VIEW OF CHURI WALI GALI
VIEW OF ANOTHER GALI IN CHOWK THE JHAROKHA VISIBLE FROM THE MAIN ROAD

14. PLAN OF THE STUDIED RESIDENCE

15. PLANS OF DIFFERENT ROOMS IN
RESIDENCE

16. WALL THICKNESS: the wall thickness of chowk’s vernacular
houses is more than the general houses i.e. 2 or 3 brick
thick
WALL OPENING: the wall openings are smaller in size of
chowk houses than a general houses
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL: the material that is used for
construction of these houses are thick lakhori bricks,
surkhi , lime and roofs were made of timber joists and jack
arches were used
STORAGE SPACE: A 5ft in height storage space is their in
every room attached to roof are their which is called as
‘Duchhajja’ in local language.
INTERNAL TEMPERATURE: the temperature inside these
houses is lesser than the temperature inside general
houses
ELECTRICITY BILL: As the temperature inside these houses
is much lesser than outside , thus the use of electricity is
also not used in ample amount THE STAIRCASE CONNECTING
GROUND TO TERRACE IN FIRST
FLOOR
RESIDENTIAL PARAMETERS
(As observed)

17. LEVELS INSIDE HOUSE: there is a level difference to be seen while entering in some of the rooms, as the
construction process of these houses is done in various steps
DOOR: The doors are typical battened and ledged door made up of thick and heavy teak wood.
PLANNING: The planning in these houses are courtyard type.
CLUSTER PLANNING OF AREA: The overall planning of chowk is done in cluster form, as one can jump
from one roof to another without any trouble.
COMMUNITY LIVING: As the planning of chowk is a cluster one , thus one can see the feeling of
community living. One can feel the beauty of every festival on the streets of chowk.
The MUTUAL SHADING and roof shading is very well accounted in the typical vernacular houses of
chowk
THE STAIRCASE WITH HIGH RISERS THE DOOR TOWARDS TERRACE A VIEW OF STUDY ROOM

18. THE OPENING IN THE ROOF THE BROKEN WALL DUE TO EXTRA LOAD
LEVELS INSIDE THE HOUSE VERTICAL VENTILATOR UTILITY SPACE

19. KITCHENGALLERY UTILITY AREA
COURTYARD LOBBY POOJA ROOM
OTHER SPACES INSIDE THE HOUSE

20. Vernacular here asserts the source of construction details,
formal arrangements & decorative elements of a building
located in chowk area of lucknow.
It demonstrate how the height of interior & thickness of wall
were important aspects to achieve thermal comfort of the
residence.
This residential building also highlight & showcases the skill for
using locally available materials, which are also beneficial for
climatic consideration.
The principle if planning is based on central lobby(which was
earlier a courtyard ) surrounded by rooms creating perfect
balance of ventilator during harsh summer & chilling winter.
CONCLUSION