General Introduction to Vernacular Architecture With courtesy to all source of information

1. XAR 602
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
UNIT-01 - INTRODUCTION
Definition and classification of Vernacular architecture
Vernacular architecture as a process
Survey and study of vernacular architecture; methodology
Cultural and contextual responsiveness of vernacular architecture: an overview
Lecture and Presentation by:
Prof. Joseph Fernando, PMIST
Ar. S. Bala Hari Krishnan, Asst. Professor, PMIST

2. WHAT IS VERNACULAR?
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

3. WHAT IS VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE ?
The term Vernacular is derived from the Latin word vernaculus,
meaning “domestic,native,indigenous”
Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of
construction which use locally available resources and traditions to
address local needs.
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE IS SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
- By the people and for the people
- Using locally available resources
- Using available techniques and skills
- Climatic response
- Cultural and Traditional aspects
Resources – Material, Construction techniques and Human resources
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

4. WHAT IS VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE ?
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE refers to those buildings made by common
builders in an informal way, rather than by architects using design
methodologies.
Only 10 percent of the buildings in which we live or work are designed
by architects, and a huge 90 percent of the world’s architecture is
vernacular.
It can be contrasted against polite architecture which is characterized
by stylistic elements of design intentionally incorporated for aesthetic
purposes which go beyond a building’s functional requirements.
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

5. According to R.W. Brunskill
“…a building designed by an amateur, without any training in design; the
individual will have been guided by a series of conventions built up in
his locality, paying little attention to what may be fashionable. The
function of the building would be the dominant factor, aesthetic
considerations, though present to some small degree, being quite
minimal. Local materials would be predominantly used and other
materials being chosen and imported quite exceptionally.”
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

6. UNDERSTANDING VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE TO GENERATIONS
In contrast to planned architecture by architects, the building
knowledge in vernacular architecture is often transported by local
traditions and is thus more – but not only – based on knowledge
achieved by trail and error and often handed down through the
generations rather than calculated on knowledge of geometry and
physics.
To satisfy their requirements and needs which always impart a character
or an image to that particular region. In other words, we can call
“ARCHITECTURE OF LOCALE”
It is an evolution over a period of time. The architectural expressions of
vernacular architecture will be guided by set of conventions or
principles built up in the society for a longer period.
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

7. CHARACTERISITICS OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
• It is place specific and responds to its society and environment
• The traditional knowledge on which it depends upon is
developed progressively and applied to suit the requirements of
the place and time. Hence it is open ended.
• It is a spontaneous outcome of a society. Hence there are not
theories or principles involved in it.
• Ordinary people along with the traditional craftsmen are the
decision makers and executers hence there are no sophistication
involved in it.
• Hence it implies that vernacular architecture is environment
friendly, sustainable and reflects the aspiration of the place and
the people.
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

8. THE NEED OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
• Environmental pollution, global warming, sustainability and
energy efficiency are the issues threatening the society today.
Study of vernacular architecture would provide us with valuable
information on these areas.
• INSPIRATION FROM VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE – Regionalism
and critical regionalism are two of the popular movements in
architecture practised world wide today. Architects practising
these movements draw inspiration from the vernacular
architecture of their place of practise.
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

9. SOLUTION TO HOUSING SHORTAGE THROUGH
VERNACULAR ARCHITECUTRE
• Even today only around 10% of the buildings constructed are
designed by architects. Even in developed countries, this number
does not go beyond 30%. This means that the poor people either
construct their residences themselves or with the help of a low
cost builders.
• Many housing experts believe that this practise could be utilized to
the advantage of solving the housing shortage. That is poor people
could be encouraged to construct their houses adopting low cost
vernacular models with simple technology. In order to implement
these schemes government or non-governmental agencies formed
housing societies of interested people and provided them with
loans and technical guidance's.
• Many such schemes are being carried out in poor and developing
countries including India. The success rate of these schemes are
high.
• The housing shortage of poor and developing countries are
enormous. The funds and the technical inputs required to solve
this problem is also enormous. In this context solving the housing
shortage through vernacular approach provides hope.
• This approach Is known as modern vernacular approach.
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

10. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE- AN INSPIRATION
GOEFFREY BAWA is considered the pioneer of regional modernism in
South Asia. Along with him, modern proponents of the use of the
vernacular in architectural design include CHARLES CORREA,
BALAKRISHNA DOSHI, SHEILA SRI PRAKASH – INDIAN ARCHITECTS and
MUZHARUL ISLAM and BASHIRUL HAQ, internationally known
BANGLADESHI ARCHITECTS.
These architects have used vernacular architecture as an inspiration for
innovations in environmental and socio-economically sustainable design
and planning.
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

11. FACTORS INFLUENCING VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
1. CLIMATE
2. MATERIALS
3. CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
4. SKILLED LABOURS
5. CULTURE AND TRADITION OF A SOCIETY
6. CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS
7. LIFESTYLE OF THE PEOPLE
8. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE REGION
9. FOREIGN INVASION
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

12. 1. CLIMATE
• Construction of Courtyards
• Opening in the Buildings
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

13. 2. LOCALLY AVAILABALE MATERIALS
• Kerala – Wood usage
• Assam – Bamboo usage
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

14. 3. CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
• Bhunga house of Kutch, Gujarat
• Bamboo reinforced wattle and daub construction
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

15. 4. SKILLED LABOURS
• Usage of Lime in the Buildings of our region
• Thachu Shastra of Kerala
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

16. 5. CULTURE AND TRADITION
• Zarooka or Jarokha – projected balcony cum window
• Usage of colours and Mirrors in Rajasthani houses
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

17. 6. CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS
• Thulasi maadam of particular community
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

18. 7. LIFESTYLE OF THE PEOPLE
• Kerala – Traditional thinnai houses – ‘Balcoa’ or ‘Bolcaum’
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

19. 8. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Meandering pathways of Thanjavur for the purpose of defence
• Fort architecture of Rajasthan – People of Rajasthan still people
design their houses with Watch holes.
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

20. 9. FOREIGN INVASION
• Pondicherry – Influence of French style of architecutre
• Fort cochin – Influence of Portugese
PMIST; Date: 16.12.2019

21. CLASSIFICATION OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
CHRONOLOGICALLY TIME WISE
Tribal Architecture – Pre-literate
Pre-Industrial Vernacular – Up to Industrial revolution
Post-independent Vernacular – After Industrial revolution
Modern vernacular or
Contemporary vernacular - Following vernacular traditions
today and continuing of it.
PMIST; Date: 06.01.2020
FUNCTIONALLY
Residential
Farm related
Industrial
Place of worship built by common men
SETTLEMENT WISE
Rural vernacular
Urban vernacular

22. CHRONOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
Tribal Architecture - Pre-Industrial Vernacular - Post-independent
Vernacular - Modern vernacular or Contemporary vernacular
PMIST; Date: 06.01.2020

23. Tribes: Uncivilized people.
People having pre-historic life style. Such
tribes are found even today in Africa, Asia
and parts of central and south America.
They live outside the civilized world in
small groups.
Eg:
Thodas of Nilgris,
Mosai tribe of East Africa,
Zulu tribe of South Africa etc.,
They have their own culture and build their
residences as per their practices. Tribal
houses are very simple, easy to construct
and they lack variety. These houses could
be constructed by a group of tribal without
any expertise.
People belonging to civilized societies today
lived and built like these tribal before they
started civilization.
TRIBAL ARCHITECTURE
CHRONOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
Top and Bottom: People and dwellings of Mosai tribe of East Africa
PMIST; Date: 06.01.2020

24. Top and Bottom: Toda Village Huts and the community gathering
PMIST; Date: 06.01.2020

25. Pre-Industrial vernacular
architecture refers to the architecture
of various communities all over the
world starting from the time they
settled down and started cultivation
till the advent of industrial revolution.
This covers a period of several
thousand years. This also includes the
origin and evolution of vernacular
architecture from the beginning of
civilization to industrial revolution in
all the countries.
PRE-INDUSTRIAL VERNACULAR
CHRONOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
Top : A Village Hut
Bottom: Half timbered
Buildings - Lavenham
PMIST; Date: 06.01.2020

26. Industrial revolution started towards the end of 18th
century and went on up to the middle of 20th
century. New materials and technologies were
invented during this period. These inventions
influenced the vernacular architecture of its time.
Eg: Sheet glan and east iron were invented during
industrial revolution period. These materials found
their application in the vernacular architecture of its
time. This is known as post industrial revolution
vernacular architecture. This style of architecture is
still alive and continued to be practiced even today
by interested architects.
POST-INDUSTRIAL VERNACULAR
CHRONOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
PMIST; Date: 06.01.2020

27. Today our attention is drawn by issues such as
sustainability, energy conscious architecture and eco-
friendly development. Vernacular architecture responds
to these issues.
Hence interested architects have developed modern
vernacular architecture has been captured appropriate
technology adopted and passive methods were applied
to make the building energy conscious.
Poor people construct their own houses even today in
many parts of the world. Slum dwellers in many cases
construct their own houses with minimum help. Taking
advantage of this situation certain non government
organization NGO worked out cost-effective vernacular
solutions for houses and constructed them mainly using
the future occupants. This is a good example for modern
vernacular architecture.
MODERN VERNACULAR/
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
CHRONOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
PMIST; Date: 06.01.2020

28. FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
Vernacular architecture is also be classified based on the function of the
building. The basic principle followed is the buildings in which experts or
specialist involved in the design or construction are not considered as
vernacular architecture. Temples, palaces and forts are not considered to be
vernacular architecture since experts are involved in their design and
construction,
PMIST; Date: 07.01.2020

29. Big and small residences were built by common men with the help of local
craftsmen. This forms the major part of vernacular architecture.
In Tamilnadu travellers rest-houses were built by the earlier rulers on the way
to important temples. These buildings are known as Chathiram. These type of
buildings are also vernacular building.
RESIDENTIAL
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
Top: Chatrams of Thanjavur district
Ar. S. Bala Hari Krishnan, Asst. Professor, PMIST; Date: 07.01.2020

30. A few types of building were built to perform
farm related activities.
Eg.
Barn built for storing grains or animal feed.
Big shed for housing farm animals – cattle shed.
FARM RELATED
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
Top: Grains storage structures in Srirangam, Tamilnadu
Ar. S. Bala Hari Krishnan, Asst. Professor, PMIST; Date: 07.01.2020

31. Top: Grains storage Vessel and structure; Below: Cattle Shed
PMIST; Date: 07.01.2020

32. To perform certain small scale and tiny industries simple buildings were built.
In India traditional black smith who worked with iron, built their workshops.
These workshops had working platforms with embedded air ducts and
furnaces.
Brass smith built workshops to facilitate melting and casting of the metal.
The wind mills of the west are a good examples: The movement of external
blades are converted into horizontal movement and used for grinding food
grains or for pumping water.
Buildings for tiny industries built in vernacular tradition should also be
included.
INDUSTRY RELATED BUILDINGS
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
Top: Rice mill of Tamilnadu
PMIST; Date: 07.01.2020

33. Temples in India are generally designed and built by sculptors or
temple designers. Temples are designed following strict canons
laid down for them. Hence they cannot be considered as
vernacular architecture.
Similarly place of worship of other religions also could not be
considered as vernacular since they follow the canons laid down
for their design.
However many small temples and other place of worships are
built, by ordinary people. These buildings considered as vernacular
architecture.
In rural tamilnadu many communities build a shrine for their deity
or a miniature place of worship. This serves as a symbol of their
identity.
PLACE OR WORSHIP BY COMMON MAN
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
Top: A temple in a village of Tamilnadu
PMIST; Date: 07.01.2020

34. Top and Bottom: Temples in various villages of Tamilnadu
PMIST; Date: 07.01.2020

35. SETTLEMENT CLASSIFICATION
Rural Vernacular – Urban Vernacular
PMIST; Date: 08.01.2020

36. Rural areas more space is available. Residences are with front and back
yards. Privacy and security are not big issues. In rural areas people are more
attached to culture and changes come slowly. The impact of these issues
could be seen on rural vernacular.
In Urban areas residences are built in a compact manner. Limited spaces
could be found around the building in many cases residences are built wall to
wall.
Urban roads are busy with traffic hence privacy and security are big issues.
People of urban area change fast. They accept new ideas quickly. These
factors influence the vernacular architecture of urban areas.
RURAL VERNACULAR
SETTLEMENT CLASSIFICATION
URBAN VERNACULAR
SETTLEMENT CLASSIFICATION
MORE SPACE – FRONT AND BACK YARDS – NO BIG ISSUES FOR PRIVACY AND
SECURITY – ATTACHED TO CULTURE
LES SPACE – COMPACT AND WALL TO WALL –ISSUES FOR PRIVACY AND SECURITY –
QUICKLY ADOPT TO NEW IDEAS
PMIST; Date: 08.01.2020

37. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AS A PROCESS
Owner wants to build a house
Approaching a Mason/Master craftsman
Craftsman – Preparing 3 to 4 traditional
plan model
Owner-selecting one
Owner family and craftsman – Discussion
Modify the plan
To suit the site
To suit the occupation
To suit the family structure
Owner, craftsmen, friends and relative
Work starts with a function
Certain important stage of construction
– Function
Family – Getting in – A function- House
warming
As the family grows – Additions were
made
As the time passes – Division and
modification made.
PMIST; Date: 08.01.2020

38. PMIST; Date: 08.01.2020
A person who owns a piece of land wants to construct a
house. The first thing he would do is to meet the master
mason of the place. The master mason would produce three
or four traditional house designs. Each one of the design is
a commonly used one in that region.
The owner of the land consult his family members and
would select one design. After selection of the design it is
suitably modified to suit the following three factors. They
are
i. The site condition
ii. The occupation of the earning members and
iii. The family structure.
The construction work starts after performing some
religious ceremony is performed. On completion of the
house after the house warming ceremony the owner start
living in that house with this family.
Like marriage or naming ceremony a series of interlocked
events end up in the function.
1. Construction of a typical vernacular house
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AS A PROCESS
As the time passes the family grows. With the growth of the
family they require more private spaces.
The thinnai is made private by placement of wooden
perforated protection at the road side end of the thinnai.
The thinnai could be converted into one or two rooms. One
each on either side of steps.
2. Addition and modification to the house

39. PMIST; Date: 08.01.2020
If the house is to be divided between two sons formally a
wall is constructed right in the center starting from the
front door to back door. Only the front and the back doors
need to be modified.
In this case the basic character of the house will not
change. All the spaces of the house would have been
effectively divided between the two families.
3. Partition of Property
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AS A PROCESS
If the family has grown and they require additional space
the first option is to cover the courtyard and using the
space.
This would result in the residents sacrificing lighting and
ventilation. Hence the better option is to replace the
columns around the courtyard by thicker ones. Join the top
of the columns with suitable beams. Construct walls on the
beams with suitable clear storey windows. Finally a roof
may be built over the walls.
Now the courtyard could be used like any other interior
space of the house. At the same time light and ventilation
would be provided by the clear-storey windows.
4. Conversion of the House
Tradition refers to inherited pattern of thought and action.
Traditions are creative process and people use them to
interpret past knowledge and experience to force the
challenge and demands of the present.
Experiences modify the traditions as the time passes.
Traditions influence vernacular architecture. That is in
course of time people experiences could find its application
in architecture.
5. Tradition

40. PMIST; Date: 08.01.2020
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AS A PROCESS

41. SURVEY AND STUDY OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
HISTORY AND DOCUMENTATION
Location
Context
Site plan
Elevation
Section
Material
Structure
Fenestration
Surface treatment
ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
Space Vs. Activity
Organization of space
Culture Vs. Space
Culture Vs. Treatment
EVALUATION / CONSERVATION
Climatic Evaluation
Users Satisfaction
Post occupancy evaluation
PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020

42. SURVEYS AND STUDIES
OF
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
ORIGIN, EVOLUTION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECT
DOCUMENTATION
ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
EVALUATION
USERS SATISFACTION
CONSERVATION
PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020

43. In order to study the vernacular
architecture of a place the people who
are responsible for it (the users) need to
be studied and understood.
First of all historic information should be
collected. The communities origin and
evolution should be understood. Their
occupation and culture should be
understood along with their important
traditions and believes. Important events
should also be noted.
1.ORIGIN, EVOLUTION
& SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECT
SURVEYS AND STUIDES OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
Location and context of the building to be
studied should be taken up and recorded.
This should be followed by documenting
the building to a suitable scale and
studied. Building materials and the
structural systems should also be noted.
Fenestration needs to be studied and
recorded. Finally the surface treatment
applied in the building also needs to be
recorded.
All information should be supported by
sketches and photographs.
2.DOCUMENTATION
Understanding users
Historic information
Communities origin and
evolution
Occupation and culture
Traditions and believes
Important events
Location and context
Documenting to scale
Building materials and
structural systems
Fenestrations
Surface treatment
Sketches and photographs
Ar. S. Bala Hari Krishnan, Asst. Professor, PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020

44. The organization of spaces needs to be
studied. The size, form and quality of
environment of the spaces need to be
analyzed.
The activities taking place in each space
to be also studied and related to the
culture of the user.
The climatic condition of the various
spaces should be studied and related to
its location and fenestration. The multi-
use character of each space should be
renewed.
3.ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
SURVEYS AND STUIDES OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
The climatic performance of the building
should be studied. At present instruments
are available to study the temperature,
relative humidity, air movement , speed
and lighting.
Using these the performance of the
important spaces should be studied. The
studies should be conducted during
summer, monsoon and winter.
The readings should be also be taken
during daytime and night time. The
information collected should be recorded
and analyzed. This study would give a
clear idea about the climatic
performance of the building.
4.EVALUATION
Understanding
organization of spaces
Size, form and quality of
environment of spaces
Activity analysis
Climatic condition
Multi-use character
Study the temperature,
relative humidity, air
movement, speed and
lighting
Performance of spaces
during Day and Night.
During seasons.
PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020

45. With the help of a questioner survey the
users views of the various spaces of the
house and their level of satisfaction may
be assessed. Their views on
inconveniences, problems, suggestions
may also could be collected.
5.USERS SATISFACTION
SURVEYS AND STUIDES OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
Certain vernacular buildings might have
been damaged due to age or miss-use.
Hence re-habilitation and conservation
work may be necessary. For conservation
work proper documentation of the
building and drawings, indicating
damaged parts and drawing indicating the
structural system and building materials
are required.
6.CONSERVATION
Understanding the users
level of satisfaction
Assessment of problems
and their suggestions
Conservation
Rehabilitation
Ar. S. Bala Hari Krishnan, Asst. Professor, PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020

46. CULTURE AND CONTEXTUAL
RESPONSE
CONTEXT – GEOGRAPHY- CULTURE
Ar. S. Bala Hari Krishnan, Asst. Professor, PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020

47. Context in relation to architecture refers to location and its immediate
surroundings( of a place where a building or a settlement is located).
We need to study the physical characteristics of a place to understand
the nature of architecture, vernacular architecture developed on it.
Geography provides information on the physical characteristics of a
place. It’s the study of earth’s surface including its people, their
response to topography, climate, soil and vegetation.
People respond to geography of the place they live and learn to do their
work suitably. Geography determines the human food, clothing, shelter,
occupation, medicine, entertainment and ultimately their culture.
Hence it can be stated that culture is an outcome of the geographic
condition of a place. As the geographical condition changes, culture
would also change.
CONTEXT – GEOGRAPHY - CULTURE
CULTURE AND CONTEXTUAL RESPONSE
GEOGRAPHY
Ar. S. Bala Hari Krishnan, Asst. Professor, PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020
CLIMATE
FOOD
CLOTHING
PROTECTIO
N
BEHAVIOUR
CULTURE
GEOGRAPHY
CLIMATE
&
SOIL CONDITION
FOOD HABITS
&
CLOTHING
ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY

48. This clearly indicates that the shelter is also related to Geography.
Therefore it can be stated that culture, economic activity and the type of
the shelter are place specific. They change from place to place. That is why
such a wide variety is found in vernacular architecture around the world.
Culture of the place is mainly molded by the geography of the
region.
Context provides the physical environment, site and materials
for the shelter.
Both culture and context together determines the house form. Context also
provides options.
Cultures includes life style and believes. Hence culture plays a lead role in
determining the house form.
CULTURE AND CONTEXTUAL RESPONSE
GEOGRAPHY
PMIST; Date: 20.01.2020
LOCATION
CLIMATE
SITE CONDITION
BUILDING MATERIALS
FORM OF
SHELTER