Page 2 - Apr-Jun 2018

Vernacular Wisdom Vernacular architecture is a
Did you know?

style where importance is given
to the local needs of the people,
Construction of homes is not simplistic. Other than the architectural laws which based on which a house is designed.
are to be followed, traditional residential architecture is also infl uenced by many M. Tanusri, IX E, Bharatiya Vidya
other natural, historical, and social factors. Bhavan‛s Public School Vidyashram,
Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

CLIMATE BUILDING MATERIAL CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS
Construction of traditional homes is
Based on the climate, the Based on the beliefs and customs
very sustainable. They are preferably
architecture of homes diff ers greatly. made of materials that were readily of the people, layouts of homes
Homes in cool regions use materials diff er. For instance, for those who
available. Mud and clay were
and elements that keep the among the fi rst construction follow Vaastu, the direction
cold out, while in of the house, positioning of
materials, held together
warmer regions, using straw, sticks etc. the rooms, and other such
they make sure it practical design features
Gourika Bassayya are very important.
is well-aerated. Paravayyanavar, VIII B,
Harshit K Mahila Vidyalaya
Mandal’s English
Baliyan, IX, Raksha Illustration by: Manasi M. Kurane, VII,
Anusandhan Medium School, Mahila Vidyalaya Mandal’s English
Belgaum
Vidyalaya, Medium School, Belgaum
Illustration by: Nishchay Saini, VIII A,
Dehradun
Vishva Bharti Public School, Jagadhri
HISTORICAL INFLUENCES SOCIAL ASPECTS NATURAL DISASTERS
The architecture of a place was also Society plays a very important role Places which are prone to disasters
often infl uenced by the lifestyle of in residential architecture. Cultures have architecture that is resistant
the rulers who used to rule that focus on segregation of to it. An earthquake-prone area
the region, as the buildings men and women had a separate would have less
built by them, and the courtyard with a kitchen for rigid homes, while
architectural styles women. Sometimes even the regions prone to
continue to inspire the material used and the size of fl oods would have
local inhabitants even the house varied based on houses made Illustration by: Nishchay Saini,
today. the status of the owner. on stilts. VIII A, Vishva Bharti Public
School, Jagadhri
Abhishek Kumar, IX, Raksha
OCCUPATION Anusandhan Vidyalaya, Dehra Dun CLEVER ARCHITECTURE
Homes were built so as to incorporate
the occupational necessities of the ACTIVITY: MATERIAL MATCH • In Ladakh, people used to make
family. For instance, a Kancheepuram a black clay border around the
Material Location windows of their houses, thinking
silk weaver’s house would have a
spacious courtyard for weaving work, 1 Stone A Tamil Nadu it would warm up the air that
2 Sun-dried Brick B Ladakh entered the house.
while in agricultural Haryana, there
3 Mud C Nagaland
was space for a cattle pen. • Rajasthani architects made round
4 Bamboo D Uttrakhand huts, as the small surface exposure
Aanchal Saharan, VII A, Delhi Public School, Sec- 5 Wood E Gujarat
45, Gurgaon; R. B. Varadharajan, VIII, Angappa would help withstand the hot and
Educational Trust, Coimbatore; Ishrath Raihana M, cold desert winds.
IX A, S.R.M. Hr. Sec. School, Chennai
Ankit, IX B, All Saints Sr. Sec. School, Ajmer

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