Page 3 - Apr-Jun 2018

P. 3

VOL. 15 No. 2
Amazing Architecture

There are many important elements which are used to make homes more comfortable and relevant to the region they
are in. Because of the many factors, these vary from region to region. Let’s have a look at some of these elements.
FLOORING
ROOF
The ﬂ ooring of houses varied
COURTYARD The material and shape of the depending on what the most easily
roof varied based on the climate available material in the area was
They were very helpful and materials available. Slanting
for ventilation and roofs dominated in areas of high and whether it made living more
entry of light in the rainfall. comfortable. Mud ﬂ oors were very
house, as well as many common in most rural homes in the
other social aspects. plains while wood was used in the
hilly regions.

WINDOWS WATER SOURCE

The size of windows in Many houses also had a
traditional vernacular homes water source, like a well
changed according to the or a small tank. In Bengal,
climate. For example, small pukur or a small riverine
windows were seen in Ladakh lake was common. A
to keep out cold winds. sustainable house also had
water harvesting.

WALLS
DECORATIONS
Traditional houses have walls made of
Decoration of houses differed interesting local materials like mud,
according to the people who lived wood, bamboo, sticks, and bricks.
there. They were used to bring out They sometimes use cow dung on their
community traditions. walls and ﬂ oor as an insecticide and to
regulate temperature.
Ill
Illustration by: S. Aiswarya, VIII A, uststrara
Royal Park School, Salem
Ro
CREATIVE COURTYARDS ACTIVITY: CULTURE & COURTYARD

Courtyards are considered Brahmastana or the The courtyard houses in India are traditionally called
auspicious loci of the house. Haveli in North India, Wada in Maharasthra, Rajbari
in West Bengal,
• They date back to the Harappan Civilization.
Deori in Telangana,
• They are used for socialising, religious matters, and Cathurmukham in
family meetings. Tamil Nadu, and
Nalukettu in Kerala.
• The purpose of the courtyard varied based on the
occupation of the family as well.
• In large homes, there may be as many as fi ve or six
courtyards and each had a diff erent function. Design an interesting Illustration by: T. Bharathi, VIII A,
Royal Park School, Salem
courtyard and label it
Kashish Nainwani, VIII, All Saints Sr. Sec. School, Ajmer
mentioning its unique features.

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